Walk in the Spirit January 2016 by Pubuduwa

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

WALK IN THE SPIRIT January 2016 Volume 01 Issue 15

"O Lord to receive a touch of Your Love"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

SHARING ON PRAYER January 2016

‘Baptism’ of Jesus is the anointing that He shares with us. ‘Come follow me’ is a call to participate in the experience that He went thro’ in the river Jordan. Our personal baptism whether as an infant or adult is where it all begins for us. The fullness of His baptism that He receives on the Cross is the Baptism of Blood. We too have to begin with the Baptism of water that should culminate in the baptism of blood. Death and resurrection is the spelling out of the beginning and end of Baptism. What a sacrament it is!

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Friday 1st January 2016 Numbers:6/22-27 Psalm:67/1-7 Galatians: 4/4-7 Luke: 2/15-21 The First Proclamation The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites; You shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them. The Gospel Proclamation When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcize the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Prayerful Awareness

world is bathed with the sun's golden rays bringing with it the song of the twittering birds together with the warmth of the Holy Spirit. The holy Church has consecrated this day to the Blessed Mother of God in order to celebrate the holy solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. On this day of the new year, the holy church presents to the world her Son as the light of all mankind. Let us with great respect and overwhelming joy embrace our Saviour in order to implement His Will throughout the year. So let us plead our God to bless us on our journey through the Spirit. It is a wonderful thing that the story should tell that the announcement of God came to some shepherds. It was to simple men of the field that God's message first came. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid for I am bringing you good news of great joy, which will be to all the people, for today a Saviour has been born for you." Let us recognise the voice of the Father God in all life situations and challenges like Mother Mary and act according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There are a number of people in our country who are suffering due to mental sickness. Let us get together with Mother Mary and uplift their lives to the Father God. Prayer Starter Father God, fill our minds with Your Word and help us to contemplate on the Word and live accordingly in order to build the Kingdom of God on this earth. Amen.

The New Year (2016) has dawned today with all its splendour. The whole

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Saturday 2nd January 2016 St.Basil the Great, St. Gregory Nasiyansen 1 John: 2/22-28 Psalm:98/1-4 John: 1/19-28 Gospel Proclamation This was the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He declared, ... ‘I am not the Christ.’So they asked, ‘Then are you Elijah?’ He replied, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So he said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!’ Now those who had been sent were Pharisees, and they put this question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptise with water; but standing among you — unknown to you-is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising. Prayerful Awareness The underlying theme in today’s Proclamations is regarding the anointing believers receive from the Lord! In Mathew 3:12, a scripture passage corresponding to the Gospel Proclamation above, John the Baptist says the one who is to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. In the early post resurrection Church, when a person repents of their hitherto sinful lives and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord, the elders in the Church lay hands on the person and prays for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. However nowadays most of those who have been born into the faith as Christians have received this anointing at their baptism in their infancy without their knowledge, or as little children, without any or

much understanding. Hence the Church has instituted the Sacrament of Confirmation, to confirm the anointing received at infancy, with a greater level of understanding, at around the age of 15. But I wonder with what level of understanding, repentance, or seriousness does a person actually receive the confirmation of the anointing of the Holy Spirit received at baptism? Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord means that we give Him the foremost priority and total focus of our lives! Let us reflect, to what level is this true of you and me??? In Romans 8:14, St. Paul tells us that those who are led by the Holy Spirit shall be called children of Almighty God! We should then live our lives fearlessly witnessing to this proud fact, secure in our faith, using the gifts (1 Cor. 12: 4-11) and fruits (Galatians 5:22-26) of the Spirit for the benefit of those around us, thus becoming instruments of spreading God’s Love on them by sharing this Good News! Let us read what the Apostle John says in today’s First Proclamation: “…….And the promise he made you himself is eternal life……the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; since the anointing he gave you teaches you everything, and since it is true, not false, remain in him just as he has taught you. Therefore remain in him now, children, so that when he appears we may be fearless, and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” Song of Praise Sing a new song to Yahweh, for he has performed wonders, his saving power is in his right hand and his holy arm. Yahweh has made known his saving power, revealed his saving justice for the nations to see, mindful of his faithful love and his constancy to the House of Israel. The whole wide world has seen the saving power of our God. Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth, burst into shouts of joy! (Psalm 98: 1-4)

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

Sunday 3rd January 2016

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Epiphany of the Lord

Isaiah: 60/1-6 Psalm:72/1-2,7-8,10-13 Ephesians: 3/2-3, 5-6 Matthew: 2/1-12 Introduction The word epiphany means manifestation or revelation. Epiphany is something that happens without any contribution on our part. It cannot be manufactured nor earned. It is always a gift. We can only anticipate, hope and pray that it may happen. It happens in the most unusual settings, amongst people who least expect it. Therefore, often, it goes unrecognized and unappreciated. It was not different two thousand and fifteen year ago, when the EPIPHANY of epiphanies happened. only some poor shepherds and three Magi from the East were able to recognize and appreciate it. The Jewish nation to whom the epiphany was foretold failed to grasp it when it happened, simply because they had preconceived notions about it. As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the feast of the epiphany of Our Lord, let us join in the Entrance Antiphon in acknowledging our submission to the sovereignty and holiness of God our King. "The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and the government and power.”

The First Proclamation Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look

around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Gaze at Jesus’ Sonship Imagination is a gift given to us by God our Father to be made use of to experience Him. So let us use it to ‘see’ Jesus at a stage during His thirty years in Nazareth with His blessed Mother. Let us picture Jesus in the Synagogue listening to the text we read in the first proclamation for today. Gaze at His face, which mirrors, the earnestness with which He is absorbing the picture, which the prophet Isaiah is painting about Jerusalem. Jesus gets up and goes home carrying this fascinating “Good news’ experience and shares it with His mother. The Blessed Mother listens, and in turn, reminds Jesus about what she had told Him, regarding the events that took place at His birth. About the star that appeared, the shepherds to whom angels announced His birth and the Magi who followed the star to the place of His birth. She also tells Jesus about the gifts that the Magi brought to offer Him. Jesus the true Man absorbs what has been told Him. It seems as though His self-awareness grows to a new dimension. He wanders out in to the open; His gaze turns towards Jerusalem the holy city, and then all around.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Lord Jesus, what are You thinking about? Are You asking Yourself about the meaning of Your life? The fact that Your birth brought together heaven and earth, the east and the west, the wise and the ignorant, the rich and the poor would surely have led You to question the role Yahweh had planned for You. No doubt You realised that the mission Yahweh had for You included the whole of humanity. How, where and when would have been Your next concern. Lord, I see You going back to Your mother to ask her about what she thought about it all. Lord I am taken up by the concern both You and Your mother are showing discerning the Will of Yahweh regarding the future. Your faith, as true Man, of the significance that each and every event of Your life has under the ‘rule of Yahweh’ is no less fascinating. Prayerful Awareness

Mary His Blessed Mother incorporated both within themselves. The intensity of the openness and receptiveness of Jesus and Mary enabled them to experience epiphany in the ‘now’ moment. For them it was a life in a benevolent universe where God who loved them was in charge. Each moment and everything in it was a revelation filled with meaning. Our Sonship

Let us read the second proclamation of God’s love for today. Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6. I am sure you have heard of the ministry, which God in His goodness gave me in your regard. God’s secret plan, as I have briefly described it, was revealed to me, unknown to men in former ages but now revealed by the Spirit to the holy apostles and the prophets. It is no less than this: in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now coheirs with the Jews, members of the same body and sharers of the promise The proclamations of today tell us through the preaching of the gospel. that “with God things don’t just hapPrayerful Awareness pen, everything by Him is planned.” As co-heirs we are called upon to The prophets of old were so tuned to Yahweh, that they were able to pro- see our lives as being under the ‘rule claim in human terms His intentions. of God our Father’, therefore full of The people of God, the Israeli people, meaning. No event in our lives can be were supposed to shape their lives ac- labeled as useless. They are all potencordingly. But there were those who tial epiphanies, moments when God, interpreted the prophets according to mysteriously reveals Himself. Motheir whims and fancies. These would ments of pain, rejection, and betrayal rather be in control of their lives than are all included. hand it over to a God Who time and Prayer Starter again reiterates His love for them. Father of light, unchanging God, There seems to have been two categotoday You reveal to men of faith the ries of people who believed this love of God. The poor, who had no other resplendent fact of the Word made option, and the truly wise, who were flesh. Your light is strong. Your love is always open and receptive to a reality near; draw us beyond the limits which that was always greater than them- this world imposes, to the life where selves. The shepherds fall into the first Your Spirit makes all life the opening and the Magi to the second. Jesus and prayer for today.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Monday 4th January 2016 1 John:3/22-4/6 Psalm: 2/7-8, 10-11 Mathew:4/12-17, 23-25 The First Proclamation and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded u.s. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. .... The Gospel Proclamation Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun, land of Naptali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured

them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan. Prayerful Awareness The theme of today's scripture reading is the "Kingdom of God". Jesus says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven, is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) It implies that the Kingdom of heaven is accessible. It appears that the preaching of Jesus, is synonymous with the coming of the Kingdom upon the earth. In today's first reading, St. John says "... (we) receive from him, whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments, and do what pleases him." (1 John 3:22). Receiving whatever we ask, amounts to our being fulfilled. It is also experiencing one of the facets of the Kingdom and is condiitonal to keeping the Word of God. (1 John 3:24). Therefore, experiencing the Kingdom of God, receiving the Holy Spirit, the fulfilment of our desires, are all tied up together, and seems to come in a package, which is conditional to the keeping of God's Will or living according to His commandments. Therefore, the key which gives access to the Kingdom of heaven is the keeping of God's commandments. This is made known to us through the teachings, preachings and life of Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us awake also that the healing of illnesses and diseases (verse 23) was a manifestation of God's Kingdom come upon the world, and not an end, in itself. Prayer Starter I will proclaim the decree of the Lord who said to me, "You are my son; today I am your father.... " (Ps. 2:7 ....)

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Tuesday 5th January 2016

Feast of St. Simon Stylite, Confessor

1 John: 4/7-10 Psalm:72/1-4, 7-8 Mark: 6/34-44 St. Simon Stylite In him we have the first and probably the best known case of a Stylite, i.e. a "pillar-hermit". His parents were well-to-do peasants and lived near the Northern border of Syria. He entered a monastery at 15. His self-imposed austerities were extreme and his brethren considered him unsuitable to community life. Thereafter he lived as a hermit. During the season of Lent he would fast and remain in a standing position. His advice and spiritual counsel were sought by ordinary people as well as by Emperor Theodosius and Empress Endocia. Many miraculous cures were effected by his prayers. To escape relic-seekers he had a ten-foot column built and in the end it was raised to 60 feet. On this unsheltered top he spent the rest of his life. The faithful had to use a rope-ladder to reach him to listen to him. The Gospel Proclamation As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, ... When it grew late, his disciples came to him ... "This is a deserted place and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may ... buy something for themselves to eat." ... "You give them something to eat." ... "Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, ....?" .... "How many loaves have you? Go and see." .... "Five and two fish." Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down ... Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had

eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. Gaze at Jesus' Sonship This miracle is so important that it is mentioned by all four Evangelists. The human side of Jesus is brought to light. He saw both their physical and spiritual needs. He saw their need to listen to Him. He healed the sick and wanted to do more. The background they were in was such that Jesus wanted to feed them. The latent objective was to save their souls. "In the Old Testament, God was pleased to use trivial and insignificant things to fulfill His promises like the flag on the cradle of a babe which won the heart of Pharaoh's daughter, or the shepherd stick of Moses which worked miracles in Egypt, or the slingshot of David which overthrew the Philistines. Because bread was now involved, there was even a kind of parallel to the gestures that were later used at the Last Supper." (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen) Gaze at my sonship Through Jesus' compassion He tells His disciples to give them something to eat. It was a challenge to be faced and no excuses were to be given for evading help and service. Compassion - it calls or urges one to make a difference in another's life, for caring actions, do things charitable and worthwhile. In helping the needy sympathy is not enough but acts of mercy are needed. Miracles happen when one is generous and inclined to share. "In the reckoning of men there is always a deficit; in the arithmetic of God, there is always a surplus." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) How willing and ready are we to share the little or the extra we have with the less fortunate. "The bowl will not run out of flour or the jar run out of oil." (I Kings 17:14)

Prayer Starter Transform me into Your likeness, to see others in Your eyes. Amen.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Wednesday 6th January 2016 1 John: 4/11-18 Psalm: 72/1, 2, 10-13 Mark: 6/45-52 The First Proclamation Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. Fix your gaze on Jesus O Holy Spirit of God, carry us in further on to the bosom of Love..... Fears...anxieties....phobias....these affect all of us on a day-to-day basis. Humanity has been plagued by these ills right throughout history. This is however not our destiny nor our inheritance. Our Creator God designed us to be in a state of Love, to be in relationship, with S/Him, S/His Creation and each other. We are so meshed in to this existence, yet like a fish in water would not notice the water it cruises in, are not quite conscious of the fabric of existence to which we

are woven in. We choose in our hearts and minds to stand apart from the very existence which we are comprised of! This is the fallen state we have inherited due to our fore-parents' fallen beliefs; that we are separated, alienated, not one with the existence and Creator; that we are somehow incomplete, not quite correct; that we are NotOK. Based on this erroneous belief, they accepted the belief that eating the forbidden fruit will somehow make us complete and equal to God! That the power to make us complete lies outside of ourselves! This is completely contrary to what the Lord God wants us to believe. Jesus came specifically to convey to us that despite (our attribution of various meanings to) circumstances, God is for us; that S/He is our Loving and Caring Father, with whom we are to exist in unity and relationship. Our binding with S/Him in Love will cast out all the fears and anxieties that plague us. We would be healed and experience the joy and peace of having 'God For Us' at all times! Tossed in the stormy seas (as the disciples are in today's Gospel), we would still experience Jesus with us and be (challenged, yet) OK. Prayer Starter Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being with us at all times. Just enlighten our sight to see you by our side, guiding and being the way for us to get back to the bosom of Love! (Please croon to yourself the Pubudu Geethangalee hymn 376 during the day) ....Teach us and encourage us to abide in the life-generating commandments, that we may experience life in abundance......

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Thursday 7th January 2016 1 John: 4/19-5/4 Psalm:72/1-2,14-15,17 Luke:4/14-28 The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus, .... returned to Galilee, ... He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. ... "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. ... The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." ... They said, 'Is not this Joseph's son?" He said to them, "Doubtless, you will quote to me, this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum,'" And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, ..., yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. Prayerful Awareness Luke accurately records the actions and teachings of Christ, helping us understand the way of SALVATION. There is much UNIQUE material in Luke, especially the PARABLES of Jesus. Jesus came to teach

us how to LIVE and how to FIND salvation. How carefully, then, we SHOULD STUDY the WORDS and LIFE of our Savior! Synagogues were very important to Jewish religious life. During the EXILE when th Jews no longer had their temple, synagogues were established as places of WORSHIP; on the Sabbath and as Schools for young boys during the week. Synagogues continued to exist even after the temple was built A synagogue could be set up in any TOWN where there were at least ten Jewish families. It was administered by one leader and an assistant. At the synagogue, the leader often would invite a visiting rabbi to read from the Scripture and to TEACH. Jesus went to the Synagogue "as was the custom". Even though He WAS the perfect SON OF GOD, and His local synagogue undoubtedly left much to be desired. Jesus attended services every week. His example makes OUR EXCUSES for not attending Church sound WEAK and SELF SERVING. Regular worship IS part of our lives. Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 61/1,2. Isaiah pictures the DELIVERANCE of Israel from EXILE in Babylon as a Year of Jubilee when all DEBTS are cancelled, all slaves are FREED and all property is RETURNED to original owners - Leviticus 25) But the release from Babylonian exile had not brought the fulfilment the people had expected, they were still a conquered and oppressed people. So Isaiah must have been referring to a future Messianic age. Jesus BOLDLY announced, "Today THIS Scripture IS fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus was proclaiming HIMSELF as the ONE who would bring this GOOD NEWS to pass, but in a way that the people would not yet be able to grasp. Prayer Starter Lord, help us never to doubt or be dismayed, for in the day of trouble, You will strengthen us and bring us to victory. Guide us to walk in Your ways, always.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Friday 8th January 2016 1 John: 5/5-13 Psalm:147/12-15,19-20 Luke: 5/12-16 The First Proclamation Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ... And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify; the Spirit and the water and the blood, ... Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony; God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. The Gospel Proclamation Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. "Go", he said, "and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing for a testimony to them." But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray. Prayerful Awareness This Gospel reading brings to light the pathetic condition of a person who is suffering from the deadly disease leprosy. The most terrible thing about it is the isolation it brings. The leper is to cry "unclean! un-

clean!" wherever he went. He was to dwell alone, he was banished from the society of men and exiled from home. The result was and still is, that the psychological consequences of leprosy were as serious as the physical. Dr. A.B.MacDonald in an article on a leper colony in Itu, of which he was in charge, wrote, "The leper is sick in mind as well as body. For some reason there is an attitude of leprosy different from the attitude of any other disfiguring disease. It is associated with shame and horror and carries in some mysterious way, a sense of guilt, although innocently acquired like most contagious diseases." The leper was hated by others until he came to hate himself. That is the kind of man who came to Jesus; he was unclean and Jesus touched him. His hand went out to the man from whom everyone else would have shrunk away. When we despise ourselves, when our hearts are filled with bitter shame, let us remember that, in spite of all, Christ's hand is still stretched out. It is the very essence of Christianity to touch the untouchable, to love the unloveable, to forgive the unforgiveable. Jesus did - and so must we. When Jesus touched the leper willingly and said, "Be made clean" immediately the leprosy left him and the man was cleansed. At the same time, Jesus enjoined him to tell no one. But He said, "Go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing." This shows that Jesus always gave priority for praying. We will never get miracles by neglecting the gifts and wisdom God has given us. It is when man's skills combine with God's graces that wonders happen. Jesus too never forgot to withdraw to a solitary place and pray. Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, empower us to live in You so that we will be revealed the Will of God and empowered to act accordingly in order to build the kingdom of God. Amen.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Saturday 9th January 2016 1 John: 5/14-21 Psalm: 149/1-6, 9 John: 3/22-30 Prayerful Awareness Today’s Proclamations tell us about the blessings that will accrue to children of God. In Romans 8:14-15 St. Paul tells us that those who are led by the Holy Spirit are children of God and by the power of His Spirit we can fearlessly cry out to God as Father! What awesome grace! In today’s First Proclamation the Apostle John in one of his letters to the faithful says thus: ‘Our fearlessness towards him consists in this, that if we ask anything in accordance with his will he hears us. And if we know that he listens to whatever we ask him, we know that we already possess whatever we have asked of him.’ What a promise! But the fact is that what we ask for should be pleasing to God and in accordance with His Will! Hence what we ask for should be righteous, and it must be out of selfless love, and not for selfish gain. Our role models in living this kind of life would be our Lord Jesus, Mother Mary, and the Saints. They met life with utter faith in Abba Father, and responded positively to any situation, thanking and praising the Lord, and stoically facing any hardships or pain they had to undergo in accordance with the Father’s Will, knowing that everything that happened to them was as per God’s Plan for them, and that He will ultimately deliver them to a glorious life eternal! We must therefore ask for the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to help us live our lives likewise, by receiving the gifts (1 Corinthians 12: 4-11) and fruits (Galatians 5:22-26) of the Spirit. Some of the fruits of the Spirit is correct understanding and stoic acceptance of all that is happening to us and around us, humility, and not being jealous of one another, and doing everything for God’s glory. Also to not be led astray and

become hostage to by the triple forces of evil (the flesh, the world, and the devil). See the Holy Spirit in action in John the Baptist in today’s Gospel Proclamation! Gospel Proclamation After this, Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. John also was baptising ..., and people were going there and were being baptised. ... Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, ‘Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now, and everyone is going to him.’ John replied: ‘No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven. ... I said, “I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him.” ... Gaze at My Sonship Let us reflect how we respond to situations that arise in our lives. Do we become hostage to the triple forces of evil, or do we awaken to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to respond in a manner that is pleasing to Almighty God? Song of Praise (Psalm: 149/1-6, 9) Alleluia! Sing a new song to Yahweh: his praise in the assembly of the faithful! Israel shall rejoice in its Maker, the children of Zion delight in their king; they shall dance in praise of his name, play to him on tambourines and harp! For Yahweh loves his people, he will crown the humble with salvation. The faithful exult in glory, shout for joy as they worship him, praising God to the heights with their voices, a two-edged sword in their hands, to execute on them the judgement passed — to the honour of all his faithful. Praise the Lord!

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Sunday 10th January 2016 Baptism of Our Lord,1st Sunday of Ordinary Time the nations. Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench. Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will To baptize is to sprinkle somebody wait for his teaching. I, the Lord, have with or immerse somebody in water as called you for the victory of justice, I a sign that the person has been ac- have grasped you by the hand; I formed cepted into the Christian faith. It is also you, and set you as a covenant of the customary to give a personal name to people, a light for the nations. To open somebody during the ceremony of the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the baptism. dungeon, those who live in darkness. Baptism in whatever form does one Prayerful Awareness thing in common, and that is to give the recipient newness; a new experiWhat would Jesus living in ence of life, a new name, a new faith, a Nazareth have wanted from His life? new vision of reality, a new under- Would He not have wanted to be like standing of what matters, etc…. It has Joseph, the father He knew? But the been described as an experience of stories related to Him by His blessed being born again. At the feast of the mother about the circumstances of His Baptism of our Lord which we cel- birth, the prophecies of Simon and ebrate today the entrance antiphon Anna would have surely challenged describes the event in the following Him to view His life in another light. words. The description in the first proclamaEntrance Antiphon tion of today is of the servant and chosen one to whom the mission of the When the Lord had been baptized, salvation of humankind is to be enthe heavens opened, and the Spirit trusted. Reading this did Jesus ask came down like a dove to rest on Him. Himself whether He was the One? Then the voice of the Father thunThere is one thing that would have dered: This is my beloved Son in tipped the balance in favor of claiming whom I am well pleased. the identity of the chosen one of the Though the Lord’s baptism took Lord God, and that would have been place in the river Jordan, during the the words of Isaiah: “Here is my sertime that He spent with His beloved vant whom I uphold, my chosen one mother, she would have seen to it that with whom I am pleased, upon whom I He received a baptism in the experihave put my spirit”. This statement ence of the chosen people of God, as would have resonated in harmony with written down in the Holy Scriptures the thirst experienced at His depths to and the traditions practiced by them being upheld by the Lord God, being The First Proclamation pleasing to Him and experiencing the Here is my servant whom I uphold, anointing by His Spirit. The outcome of Jesus’ thirty year my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my journey under the tutelage of His bespirit; he shall bring forth justice to loved mother is illustrated in the Gos-

Isaiah:40/1-5, 9-11 Psalm: 104/1-4, 24-25 Titus: 2/11-14; 3/4-7 Luke: 3/15-16, 21-22

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

pel proclamation of today. The Gospel Proclamation

ence of Jesus mean to us? Let us read the second proclamation prayerfully. The Second Proclamation

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Gaze at Jesus

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. Our sonship

The thirst to belong to the Lord God takes Jesus to the banks of the river Jordan where John, His relative is preaching repentance, a turning back to the Lord God. Like any human being Jesus seems to be searching for confirmation of what He is feeling in His heart. Jesus takes the plunge and publicly joins the crowds who have decided to accept the call of John. Jesus gets more than what He has been yearning for within His heart. He went asking for the conferment and anointment of being the servant and the chosen one and received the anointment of being the BELOVED SON. Let us gaze at Jesus “the One Who emptied Himself”, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men Let us pray that the inner experience of Jesus the “true man” may be revealed to us as He receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How did He feel when He became conscious of the experience of being The Son of God? What does the baptismal experi-

Jesus IS the grace of God, the gift of God OF HIMSELF for ALL men. We do not deserve the gift, nor can we ever hope to deserve. The grace of God by its very nature is free. The Good News is too good to be true. We need a special power to appropriate the truth of grace ‘FAITH’. The words ‘You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased” are also addressed to you and me because of Jesus. We will hear it if we can only silence the critic in our mind, always giving the opposite message. Prayer Starter Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me…. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Monday 11th January 2016 1 Samuel: 1/1-8 Psalm: 116/12-19 Mark: 1/14-20 The First Proclamation There was a certain man of Ramathaim ...whose name of Elkanah ... He had two wives, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts of Shilloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord; On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year, as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband, Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep" Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?" The Gospel Proclamation Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Prayerful Awareness This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (vs. 14) Something the people had been waiting in expectation, has come into being. It is being fulfilled. Yes, what is Jesus telling? He seems to be referring to Himself as the King and His presence on earth, is the coming of His Kingdom. Yes, it is at hand, it is very close. But! But! Jesus tells something very important! What is it? It is, that the people are required to repent and believe in the gospel. Repent, (Metanoia in Greek) means a change of heart. Yes, in order to believe in the gospel, it becomes necessary to have a shift in the mind - repentance. Then, one is enabled to enter into the Kingdom, which has now become accessible (i.e. at hand). Then one is enabled to experience the Kingdom and get to know what it is all about. And in the episode that follows, we find Andrew, Peter, James and John, all having to leave behind the securities they were holding onto - the nets and their father respectively, in order to follow Jesus. (vs. 19, 20) (Jesus is synonymous with the Kingdom of God.) Yes, they had to undergo a change of heart, a shift in their mindset, resulting in a change of their lifestyle. Prayer Starter How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me? ...(Ps.116:12 ....)

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Tuesday 12th January 2016 Feast of St. Benedict, Bishop this background, the miracle was per1 Samuel: 1/9-20 Song: 1 Samuel:2/1,4-8 formed. He silenced the evil spirit. He did not want to divulge His identity. Mark: 1/21-28 Had He been recognized merely as a miracle worker, people would have The Gospel Proclamation come to Him for the mere reason miracles. What He wanted from people They went to Capernaum; and were love and faith. "My Father is alwhen the sabbath came, he entered the ways working and I too must work." synagogue and taught. They were as- (John 5:17) It is true that God rested tounded at his teaching, for he taught on the seventh day from His creative them as one having authority, and not work, though the seventh day was not as the scribes. Just then there was in necessary for his recuperation. But it their synagogue a man with an un- was necessary for the men to rest and clean spirit, and he cried out, "What sanctify the 7th day, because work have you to do with us, Jesus of tires; and under the present dispensaNazareth? Have you come to destroy tion work is also a penalty. Though us? I know who you are, the Holy One God had rested from His creative work, of God." But Jesus rebuked him, say- He did not rest form Hs providential ing, "Be silent, and come out of him work of supplying the needs of His ." And the unclean spirit, convulsing creatures." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) him and crying with a loud voice, came "How doth the Father work who out of him. They were all amazed, and ceased on the seventh day from all his they kept on asking one another, works? Let him learn the manner in "What is this? A new teaching - with which He worketh, what is it? He careth authority! He commands even the un- for, He holdeth together all that hath clean spirits, and they obey him." At been made. When thou beholdeth the once his fame began to spread sun rising, the moon running in her throughout the surrounding region path, the lakes, the fountains, the rivof Galilee. ers, the rains, the course of nature in Gaze at Jesus' Sonship seeds, and in our own bodies and those This is one of the six miracles of irrational beings, and all the rest, by worked by Our Lord on the Sabbath. means of which the universe is made He has shown kindness and there is up, then learn the ceaseless working compassion on His part. He was all of the Father". (St. Chrysostom) Our out to save the man with an evil spirit. promises, resolutions, words etc. His aim was to heal him completely and enough of them all. "Be quiet!" He tells never condemned him. He neither us. He wants the first place of our love, judged nor accused him. His compas- to see Him in our neighbour and no sion was boundless. What was His more quarrels and debates. Prayer Starter look like? Naturally it was full of love. He did not look at his unclean living, Give us that balanced look to view sinfulness or his questionable past. A others and events the way You look soul to be saved from the clutches of at them. Help us to take action in Your sin, needing help and healing - yes, love and guidance. Amen. that is how He looked at him. Under

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

Wednesday 13th January 2016 1 Samuel: 3/1-10,19-20 Psalm: 40/1, 4, 6-9 Mark: 1/29-39 The First Proclamation And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli.... when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou called me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.... And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. Fix your gaze on Jesus Gracious Lord, speak to us...open up our eyes and ears that we may see

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

St. Hilarian and hear...! In the Old Testamentary times, the Creator God provided S/His chosen with Prophets and Leaders who somehow were in tune with Himself. Eli was such a prophet. Becoming receptive to the Lord's voice and mind is however a process, as is illustrated herein, specifically in the training of Samuel, the next in line. We, in the world are open to quite a few voices, categorised by origin normally as of Divine, World, Flesh and Satanic. Learning to differentiate and identify with the Divine is a choice exercised momentarily, forming to be habitual in time. Samuel heard a voice calling him, and perceived it as coming from Eli; finally Eli realising the voice to be of the Lord's instructed Samuel to recognise it as such. We too have to go this two-fold journey; i.e. 1). Stay open and sensitive to the cacophonous voices we receive in our day-to-day lives, and 2). learn to differentiate. Our Parents, the Church and Christian Community and finally the Holy Spirit of the Lord are our guides and teachers in this journey. It is in being receptive to the Living Word-Jesus, that we become healed and uplifted. This truth is evident in the Gospel today. Our fallen nature is erased when replaced with the Mind of the Christ. Our choice to open up to the Word who knocks at the door of our heart is critical to receive the grace showered upon us. Shall we open up? Prayer Starter Lord, we are so blessed to be chosen and called to be your children...now turn us anew so that we would be receptive to your redeeming Word...the Living Word saving us....

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Thursday 14th January 2016 1 Samuel: 4/1-11 Psalm: 44/9,10,13,14, 23, 24 Mark: 1/40-45 The Gospel Proclamation A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them". But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country, and people came to him from every quarter. Prayerful Awareness Mark tells us dramatic, actionpacked stories. He gives us the most vivid account of Christ's activities. He features facts and actions rather than teachings. The way Jesus LIVED His life is the perfect example of how we should live our lives today. In keeping with the law in Leviticus 13, 14 Jewish leaders declared people with leprosy UNCLEAN. This meant that lepers were UNFIT to participate in any RELIGIOUS or SOCIAL activity. Because the Law said that contact with any unclean person made a person unclean too. Some people even

threw stones at lepers to keep them at a safe distance. Even the MENTION of the NAME of this disabling disease terrified people. But Jesus TOUCHED this man who had leprosy. The real value of a person is INSIDE not OUTSIDE. Although a person's body may be diseased or deformed, the person inside is no less valuable to God. No person is too disgusting for God's touch. In a sense, we are ALL lepers because we have all been DEFORMED by the UGLINESS of SIN. But God, by sending His Son Jesus has TOUCHED US, giving us the opportunity to be HEALED. (When you feel denied by someone, stop and remember how God feels about that person and about you.) Although leprosy was incurable, many different types of skin diseases were classified together as "leprosy". According to the Old Testament laws about leprosy, when a leper was cured, he or she had to go to a priest to be examined. Then the leper was to give a thanks offering at the temple. Jesus stuck to these laws by sending the man to the priest, demonstrating Jesus' complete regard for God's Laws. Sending a healed leper to a priest was also a way to verify Jesus' great miracle to the community. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, only Your touch can take away our sins and restore us to real living. Help us Jesus, to realize our inability to cure ourselves, and ask for Christ's saving help at all times.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Friday 15th January 2016 1 Samuel: 8/4-7, 10-22 Psalm: 89/15-18 Mark: 2/1-12 The Gospel Proclamation When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning their hearts, 'Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?' At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Prayerful Awareness If we picture the scene, we can assume that the paralytic is a man in his twenties. The man has obviously been coaxed by his friends to appear before Jesus and he has agreed. Jesus ad-

mires the faith of the paralytic's friends; the Holy Spirit reveals to Jesus that the man is paralyzed by fear of some sin he has committed in addition to his physical state. So Jesus addresses the man thus: "My son your sins are forgiven". The people living at the time of Jesus attributed sickness to be a punishment from God and the young man was entertaining wrong thoughts, that he will never be forgiven. Jesus' words put him at rest. The paradigm shift introduced by Jesus is not picked up by the common folk. But the Pharisees and the learned question this in their minds. Moses' Law taught sin offerings as a way of finding peace with God and here is a man, insulting the whole fabric of the Law. The Holy Spirit once again reveals the thinking of these learned men to Jesus; and He proceeds with the miracle of physical healing. Gaze at Jesus There is only one sin, that God will not forgive and that is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. So taught Jesus, God knows the thoughts of every person on earth and Jesus on the Cross is waiting to forgive the repentant sinner. Gaze at my sonship I remember a time when I too was gripped with fear. But praise be to the Lord Jesus I know my sins are forgiven. I have realized the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to look into the eyes of Jesus in the form of the priest and confess my thought processes. I get up confident that I am forgiven and healed spiritually, mentally and physically. Prayer Starter Lord I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof; say but the word and my soul shall be healed.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Saturday 16th January 2016 St. Joseph Vaz, Apostle of Sri Lanka 1 Samuel: 9/1-4,17-19; 10/1 Psalm: 21/1-6 Mark: 2/13-17 or Acts: 20/17-18, 28-32, 36 Psalm: 96/1-3, 6-8, 10 Mark: 16/15-20 Gospel Proclamation He went out again to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As He was walking along he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me”. And he got up and followed Him. When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? When Jesus heard this, he said to them, it is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners. Jesus’ Sonship Jesus rejuvenated the identity of God’s sonship to what it should resemble in the society. Therefore, His relationships and His behavior helps us to understand what God expects from us as children of God. In the first reading, Saul’s family lost his goat. His loss eventually became a gain. In the expedition to find the goats, Saul realized that he had God’s attention upon him to fulfill a mission to lead God’s people among the other powerful tribes of the region.

To confirm God’s calling, Saul was taken through Prophetic revelations that became true to confirm to Saul that he was chosen to fulfill a mission. Thus God earned Saul’s trust. Our sonship When we are faced with trials and temptations, in all that God also has a purpose and in that God anoints us into a mission to accomplish in the society. As we reconcile the situations with God and see God’s grace taking over those situations and God sorting them, He earns our trust. These experiences make us active missionaries in the society to talk with real authority to others about God’s grace and lead others with honour to a grace filled life with God. Prayerful Awareness Let God’s Holy Spirit in us reveal the healing grace of repentance through Christ just as Levi and the other tax collectors did. God also wants us to trust Him infinitely, as Jesus says through His Sonship with God, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright but the sinners”. Let us also become aware, we are children of God. Therefore, we have the same authority Jesus had in the society through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let our relationship with God be strengthened through Jesus and His Holy Spirit who teaches us to use the authority God gave us righteously. Psalm of Praise (21: 2-7) You have granted him his heart’s desire, not denied the prayer of his lips. For you come to meet him with blessings of prosperity, put a crown of pure gold on his head. He has asked for life, you have given it him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your help; splendor and majesty you bestow on him .....

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Sunday 17th January 2016 Second Sunday in Ordinary time Isaiah: 62/1-5 Psalm:96/1-3, 7-10 1 Corinthians: 12/4-11 John: 2/1-11 Introduction The feast of the Baptism of the Lord gave us the Good News that Jesus won for us the gift of being aware of the Gift. The Gift that God gives freely is God in His own self and God IS LOVE. It is always sensible to become critically conscious of the image of God currently prevailing in our hearts. Does it give us the desire to respond in the words of the Entrance Antiphon? Entrance Antiphon

Prayerful Awareness How wonderful it is to read such a prophecy revealing to us how much the Lord God is enamoured with such insignificant creatures as us. He fights as “our advocate for our vindication.” He rejoices in us. He then eradicates the derogatory names “Forsaken” and “Desolate”, with which we have been branded and renames us “My Delight” and “espoused”. Does He stop there? No, He the One who has given us life, our builder; promises to marry us. His desire is to make us His own in a covenant relationship. Let us gaze at Jesus, who comes to realize the dream of His Father. The Gospel proclamation

On the third day there was a wedMay all the earth give you worship and praise, and break into song ding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disto your name, O God, most High. ciples were also invited to the wedding. The First Proclamation When the wine ran short, the mother For Zion’s sake I will not be si- of Jesus said to him, “They have no lent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not wine”. (And) Jesus said to her, be quiet, until her vindication shines “Woman, how does your concern afforth like the dawn and her victory fect me? My hour has not yet come.” like a burning torch. Nations shall His mother said to the servers, “Do behold your vindication, and all kings whatever he tells you.” Now there your glory; you shall be called by a were six stone water jars there for new name pronounced by the mouth Jewish ceremonial washings, each of the Lord. You shall be a glorious holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal told them, “Fill the jars with water”. diadem held by your God. No more So they filled them to the brim. Then shall men call you “Forsaken,” or he told them, “Draw some out now and your land “Desolate,” But you shall take it to the headwaiter.” So they took be called “My Delight,” and your land it. And when the headwaiter tasted “Espoused.” For the Lord delights in the water that had become wine, withyou, and makes your land his spouse. out knowing where it came from (alAs a young man marries a virgin, your though the servers who had drawn the Builder shall marry you, and as a water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom rejoices in his bride so bridegroom and said to him, “Everyshall your God rejoice in you. one serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an in-

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

tual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord, there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gift of healBible scholars tell us that mention ing by the one Spirit; to another of the “third day” is in relation to the mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to Resurrection day of the Lord. Though another discernment of spirit; to anthe Lord is at the wedding at Cana as other varieties of tongues; to another a guest He would have been in con- interpretation of tongues. But one and stant intimate fellowship with His Fa- the same Spirit produces all of these, ther. The Father in the course of the distributing them individually to each dialogue with His Son would have re- person as he wishes. vealed His desire to have the biggest Our Sonship party ever on the day of His Son’s The Christian community is the wedding. So when His blessed Mother came and informed Him of the Bride of Christ. In the Letter to the shortage of wine, Jesus was thinking Ephesians this “marriage” is linked to of His wedding feast (of the Lamb of human marriage, of which it is a model. God). So He tells His Mother, “Woman, The Lord who is our Bridegroom gives how does your concern affect me? My us the greatest wedding gift that He hour has not yet come.” In other words: can give. The Gift is His own Spirit of “This is not my wedding for you to be divine Sonship. Jesus wants very earso concerned, the time for my wed- nestly to be one with us. We must ask ding has not yet come”. While saying ourselves whether the gifts we reritually in the Sacraments of this He is again with the Father asking ceived Baptism and Confirmation have been Him “how will my wedding feast go?” claimed by us as our own. “I tell you Jesus who did all things according to the truth, anyone who has faith in me the Father’s Will would surely have will do what I have been doing. He will heard Him say: “Tell the servants to do even greater things than these, befill the jars with water and I shall show cause I am going to the Father”. (John you what your wedding feast would 14:12) We all have been endowed with be like”. It is reported in the Gospel unique gifts. And these gifts are not proclamation that Jesus did this at the just for me or my family. They are to beginning of His signs. What He be- nurture and build up the family of the gan here Jesus continues till the total whole Christian community; the bride gifting of Himself to us His bride on of Christ. the cross. The following proclamation The Prayer Starter describes the gift. ferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. After this, he and his mother (his) brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and stayed there only a few days. Gaze at Jesus

Lord Holy Spirit! Grant us the gift of celebration, the celebration of who There are different kinds of spiri- we are; the bride of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ. The Second Proclamation

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

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uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Monday 18th January 2016 1 Samuel: 15/16-23 Psalm: 50/8-9, 16-17, 21, 23 Mark: 2/18-22 The First Proclamation The Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night." he replied "Speak". Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites and fight against them until they are consumed.' Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord? Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. but from the spoil the people took sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal .... The Gospel Proclamation Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The day will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, otherwise, the patch pulls away from it. The new from

the old and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins, otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins, but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins." Gaze at Jesus Let us try to enter into the mind of Jesus, through the words of this scripture passage. Jesus' answer to the accusations of the Pharisees (vs. 18) gives us a clue, as to what Christianity is all about. Fasting was an important aspect in the life of the Jewish people. But for Jesus, it does not seem to be so. Jesus through His words in verses 21 and 22, seems to convey to us that the old testament traditions ought not to be mixed up with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus' teachings are not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of the Mosaic Law. As we enter into the mind of Jesus, through the verse 19, the bridal metaphor, expresses a new relationship of love, between God and His people, in the person and mission of Jesus to His disciples. It is the inauguration of the new and joyful messianic time of fulfilment and the passing of the old. My sonship Do I give more emphasis to what is conveyed and practiced during the old testament times, over and above the new teachings which come to us through what Jesus spoke and through His life style? Is there a difference in praising God according to the new testament teachings compared to the old testament tradition? Prayer Starter Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you nor for your holocausts, set before me daily ...... (Ps. 50:8, ....)

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Tuesday 19th January 2016

Feast of St. Canute, King, Martyr

1 Samuel: 16/1-13 Psalm: 89/19-21,26-27 Mark: 2/23-28 St. Canute He was a deeply religious man, frugal and austere in his habits. As successor to the throne he had the welfare of his people and the propagation of faith at his heart. His achievements in the political field included checking the depredations of pirates and subduing the barbarous neighbors. He attempted just administrative reforms. He generously patronized several churches and founded the new Cathedral of Roskide. A rebellion broke out in Denmark and he was cut down during mass in the Church of St. Alban at Odense while appealing to God for mercy and pardon to his enemies. Many miracles occurred at his tomb. The relics of this patron of Denmark lie enshrined in a 12th Century wooden reliquary in Odense. The Gospel Proclamation One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath? " And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathaar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath." Prayerful Awareness Sabbath is a day to cease from work and rest. Jesus wanted to interpret it with love and compassion. The disciples picking ears of corn on Sunday was judged as

violating the Sabbath rest, by the Pharisees. Surely their attitude was indifference and lack of compassion. They were unable to see or understand the disciples' hunger. In answer to their complaint Jesus quoted the incident from 1 Samuel 21/1-6 - what David did on the Sabbath; not only took the bread of offering but also gave it to his companions. What Jesus wanted to highlight was that common sense should prevail and not to be rigid. "The Pharisees certainly would have admitted that the danger to life superseded the ceremonial law; but more than that, David was allowed to eat of this bread, not just because he was hungry, but because he pleaded that he was in the service of the king. The Apostles, who were following Our Lord, were also in the service of someone greater, and ministering to Him was more important than David ministering to an earthly master. (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) The common saying goes like this, "Necessity knows no law". Rules and regulations are there to serve human needs and should not bar the call for caring love ad sharing. Rules should not stop the helping hand. From the First Proclamation we have the anointing of David as King of Israel and successor of Saul. There were others with the necessary qualifications to be appointed as the king. But why David? David had the inward qualities and the outward appearance. Some of the qualities were a loyal friend, a just ruler, a man of war, a psalmist, a musician and a hero. "The Lord knows the thoughts of everyone (Acts 1:24) and judges accordingly but we judge by outward show. On being anointed King of Israel by Samuel, the Holy Spirit took control of David. He was a boon to the nation of Israel. "Bloom where you are planted". How do we respond to His call? Prayer Starter Help us to do what we do, do well. Amen.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

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uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

Wednesday 20th January 2016

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

St.Sebastian and St. Fabian

1 Samuel:17/32-33, 37, 40-51 Psalm: 144/1-2, 9-10 Mark: 3/1-6 The First Proclamation And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee....And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.... when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him... Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?....Then said David to the Philistine... but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee...David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank you Lord for setting before us the likes of David, the shepherd boy made king....the wonder of your deeds astounding us and empowering us to follow ..

David's character is such that he had embraced fully his given position in life; that of a shepherd's. He was not in to whining and complaining about his life's circumstances. The care and security the simple beasts needed were provided in ample measure by David dutifully and lovingly. The mind-set of entering fully in to the situation inevitably gravitates to continuous improvement of the skill set required to face the circumstances. And David's circumstances were that of providing for his flock and safeguarding them from the carnivores hunting in the area. This is amply evidenced by his response to Saul who wanted to discourage this simple lad from facing off against the trained Philistine killer. Hear him again, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine". In the course of his duties, David had faced off the mountain lions and bears of that area, armed with his staff and catapult. He had protected his charges, and may be even hunted the carnivores out of the area the flock needed to grace. He had the confidence in using these weapons, which in his hands were as deadly as the sword was in the hands of his adversary, and at a longer range. Thus did he cast off the (unfamiliar) protective gear Saul gave him for the battle. Taking care of the flock had trained and nurtured him well, imbibing within the attitudes critical towards being responsible for the Lord's chosen. Prayer Starter Lord, thank you for enlightening us regarding the nurturing and training of the model King David. The forerunner for Jesus- our perfect model, we too could learn a lot from him. Turn us anew to look upon him closely, and learn the needed lessons, so that we too would begin to experience the confidence of being in your love and care momentarily....

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Thursday 21st January 2016 St. Agnes, Martyr 1 Samuel:18/6-9, 19/17 Psalm: 56/1-2, 8-13 Mark: 3/7-12 The First Proclamation As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, .... "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands. Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?" so Saul eyed David from that day on. Saul spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David. But Saul's son Jonathan took great delight in David. Jonathan told David "My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself. I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you." Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, "The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you..... The Gospel Proclamation Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him, for he had cured

many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. Prayerful Awareness While Jesus was drawing fire from the religious leaders, He was gaining great popularity among the people. Some were curious. Some sought healing, some wanted evidence to use against Him and others wanted to know if Jesus truely was the Messiah. Most of them could only dimly guess at the real meaning of what was happening among them. Today crowds still follow Jesus and they come for the same variety of reasons. Let us ask ourselves what is our primary reasons for FOLLOWING Jesus. The evil spirits knew that Jesus was the SON OF GOD, but they refused to turn from their evil purposes. KNOWING about Jesus or even believing that He is God's Son, does NOT GUARANTEE salvation. We must also want to FOLLOW and OBEY Him. Jesus warned the evil spirits not to reveal His identity because He did NOT want them to reinforce a popular misconception. The huge crowds were looking for a political and military leader who would free them from Rome's control and they thought that the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament prophets would be this kind of man. Jesus wanted to teach the people about the kind of Messiah He really was - One who was far different from their expectations. Christ's Kingdom is SPIRITUAL. It begins NOT with the overthrow of governments, but with the overthrow of SIN in people's HEARTS. Prayer Starter Almighty Father, help us to follow Jesus, hoping to be closer to Him, to serve Him and love Jesus with all our hearts for the Kingdom of God is already here.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

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uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Friday 22nd January 2016 St. Vincent, Martyr 1 Samuel: 24/2-20 Psalm: 57/1-3, 5, 10 Mark: 3/13-19 The First Proclamation Please read 1 Samuel 24/2-20 prayerfully. The first proclamation is about Saul the king of Israel and David. King Soul feared that David would take his kingdom from him. So he wanted to kill him. But David was a just man who saved his master's life even when he found a good opportunity to destroy him. David was a man of principles and righteousness and not an opportunist, although David knew that Saul was on the look out to kill him, David's life is a good example for all of us - not to be apportunists who look for one's own gain at the risk of even committing murder which is a grave sin. The Gospel Proclamation He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve; Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is Sons of Thunder) and Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Prayerful Awareness The Gospel passage introduces us to the twelve apostles whom Jesus selected. They were poor and uneducated and most of them were fishermen, who gave up their profession to follow Jesus. Jesus only said, "Come follow me". His voice was so magnetic that Peter andAndrew, James and John left their fishing nets immediately and went after Jesus. Jesus gave them the authority to cast out demons and to preach the Gospel which they learnt from their Master. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and as a punishment he committed suicide while the rest of the disciples after Jesus' death and resurrection travelled to all parts of the world performing miracles, preaching the Word of God and converting thousands of people to follow Jesus. Instead of Judas they cast lots, prayed and appointed Mathew. Instead of John whom Jesus loved most, all the rest of the apostles died as martyrs in defending their faith. They were the first martyrs of the Catholic Church. Thus the Catholic Church was founded on their martyred lives. St. Peter whom Jesus appointed as the head of the Catholic church was crucified with his head down and his feet up as requested by him. Prayer Starter Help me dear Lord to be honest and true in all that I say and all that I do. Give me the courage to do what is right. To bring to the world a glimpse of Your light to be a disciple of Thine. Fosick "Let your light shine - whether you are a candle in a corner or a light-house on a hill"

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Saturday 23rd January 2016 2 Samuel:1/1-4,11-12, 19, 23-27 Psalm: 80/1-2, 4-6 Mark: 3/20-21 First Proclamation After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor. ”Where have you come from?” David asked him. He answered, “I have escaped from the Israelite camp.” ”What happened?” David asked. “Tell me.” He said, “The men fled from the battle. Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.” Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. …. Gospel Proclamation Then he went home, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” Prayerful Awareness From the First Proclamation we observe the fate of Saul the king of Israel and the fall of all his men. (Although Saul was appointed by God, Saul did not carry out some of the instructions given to him by God through God’s servant Samuel. (1 Samuel 15, 4 – 9 ) God loves and cares for us so much that we too are called to be obedient and follow teachings of the Lord and all Commandments. For it is said that

“God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and called according to His purpose” (Romans 8, 28). From the Gospel proclamation we know that our Leader and Head of the Church, Lord Jesus was rejected even by His relatives who tried to capture Him categorizing Him as a mental patient. We already know that people of Nazareth where Lord Jesus Christ lived most of His life, tried to take Him towards the precipice in the city to kill Him, but Lord passed through the midst of the crowd and went away.- Luke 4, 29 – 30 ( that was not the time nor the way Lord had to offer His life to pay for our sins. People rejected the teachings of Lord Jesus as He did not preach what they liked to hear; approving their sinful acts and sinful thoughts. This happens in and around us every day. We must question ourselves as to what path we prefer to take, whether it is the path where our sinful acts are categorized and accepted by the society as normal, OR the path to follow our Teacher, our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, to abide by all His Teachings, keeping all commandments, to live our lives pure to the best of our ability, asking for the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. To live our lives according to the Will of God, as children of God - our Father in Heaven. (“ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” – Romans 8,14 ) Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord, anoint me with the Holy Spirit. Breath in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy, Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen ( From St. Augustine’s prayer to the Holy Spirit )

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

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Sunday 24th January 2016

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T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nehemiah: 8/2-6, 8-10 Psalm: 19/7-9, 14 1 Corinthians:12/12-30 Luke: 1/1-4; 4/14-21

Hasbbaddanah,Zechariah, Meshullam.

Ezra opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the Lord, Introduction the great God, and all the people, their In our search for happiness as hu- hands raised high, answered, “Amen, man beings we discover a need for amen!” Then they bowed down and belonging. Usually our family, place prostrated themselves before the and country of birth give us the initial Lord, their faces to the ground. Ezra sense of belonging. The people of Is- read plainly from the book of the law rael had a strong tradition, which told of God, interpreting it so that all could them that they were the chosen people understand what was read. Then of God. Their belief helped them to face (Nehemiah, that is, his Excellency, whatever came their way with an as- and) Ezra the priest-scribe (and the surance which went beyond who and Levites who were instructing the what they were as a nation in the world. people) said to all the people: “Today Their confidence was not so much in is holy to the Lord your God. Do not themselves but in the Lord God who be sad, and do not weep” for all the had chosen them as His own. The En- people were weeping as they heard the trance Antiphon for today was a con- words of the law. He said further: “Go, stant refrain from within their hearts: eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had Sing a new song to the Lord, all nothing prepared; for today is holy to the earth. Truth and beauty surround our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, Him; He lives in holiness and glory. for rejoicing in the Lord must be your The First Proclamation strength!” On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion; at his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah, and on his left Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum,

Prayerful Awareness It is said that the people of God had their teachers and prophets to instruct them. The first proclamation of today is the first or one of the rare instances where the scroll containing the law of the Lord was read for all to hear. It moved the people who were listening to tears. They heard as if the Lord Himself was speaking to them. They would have realized in their hearts it was the obedience to these laws that knit them into being a people. They belonged to one another. To recognize in others their own brothers and sisters was cause for celebration. Rejoicing in the Lord who chose them to be His people was indeed their

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

strength. The Gospel Proclamation Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Gaze at Jesus As Jesus stood up to read, a passage from the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. It was a passage about the coming Messiah. Jesus is in fact announcing that He Himself is that Mes-

siah. He applies the words of the prophet to Himself. “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me (at His baptism), for He has anointed me.” He identifies His mission as specifically to the poor, the captives or prisoners, the blind and the oppressed. These are the ones who are in need of a savior. The law in the scriptures gave peoplehood to those who kept the law. The promises contained in the scriptures gave them hope. Jesus presents Himself as the promise fulfilled. Jesus Christ invites us to become more than a people. Let us read the second proclamation. The Second Proclamation As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Our sonship The problem with our lives is that it is so individualistic. We try to manage things on our own. And that is even true of the way we try to live our Christian lives. St. Paul through divine revelation tells us that we are one body in Christ. Each member interacts in a constant giving and receiving. For it is in mutual giving and receiving as one Body that we enable each other to experience the freedom of oneness which Jesus wishes us to have. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ! The thirst for union and communion is the gift You give us through the Holy Spirit. May we become constantly aware and be submissive to His direction.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

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uu k ui al dr l =u laÂąh s

T nj yk a f i ag l rĂą' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Monday 25th January 2016 Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Acts: 9/1-22 or 22/3-16 Psalm: 117/1-2 Mark: 16/15-18 The First Proclamation Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul,why do you persecute me?" he asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus whom you are pesecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." .... The Gospel Proclamation

Prayerful Awareness Whatever Jesus said, and the miraculous deeds that He performed during His life on earth, were significant and different from those of any other person of similar standing, whoever lived on earth. The reason is that Jesus was divine. This was was something unique to Jesus only. And, the divinity of Jesus was proved only through His Resurrection. Therefore, the Resurrection of Jesus is the most important aspect in the entire life of Jesus. Every aspect of Jesus' life on earth, from His birth to His death, looks different and extra ordinary, only when looked at from a standpoint of His Resurrection, which made Him a divine person, rather than a unique and extra ordinary person who walked on this earth. That makes all the difference. Jesus' birth through a virgin, His various miraculous deeds, His wise teachings, all take a new dimension when His idivinity is accepted. And Jesus' divinity can be understood and accepted, only because of His Resurrection. And so, when the apostles failed to accept His Resurrection Jesus seemed to be furious. It is recorded thus, "But later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them, and rebuked them, for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, because they had not believed, those who saw, after he had been raised......." (vs. 15) Prayer Starter

And he said to them "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their Praise the Lord, all you nations! hands on the sick, and they will reGive glory all you peoples .... cover. (Ps. 117: 1......)

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Tuesday 26th January 2016 Feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus 2 Timothy: 1/1-8 or Titus: 1/1-5 Psalm: 96/1-3, 7-8, 10 Luke: 10/1-9

St. Titus He was a gentile by birth and a beloved disciple of St. Paul. According to the two epistles to the Corinthians he acted as secretary and interpreter, co-worker and fellow-missionary to St. Paul. When Paul returned to Jerusalem in 52 A.D. to attend the Council, he was accompanied by Titus. In 64 he was entrusted with St. Paul's missionary work in Crete. Died: 64. His head was taken to the Basilica of St. Mark at Venice and is venerated to this day. The Gospel Proclamation Please read Luke 10/1-9 meditatively. Gaze on Jesus Jesus had begun the third stage of His ministry by sending out the twelve apostles who were to confine themselves to the lost sheep of Israel (Mat. 01:6). Now He sends seventy disciples ahead of Him to every town and place to which He Himself was to go. These numbers symbolised the multitude of pagan nations. This mission then, is the figure of the task which is the responsibility of the Church until the end of the world; to evangelise all nations (Mat. 28:19). The mission helps in the forming of missionaries and also awakens those they visit. He sends them two by two so that the message will not be from one person only, but the expression of a group united in one mission. They are asked not to depend upon their own resources and not to put up in the homes of those known to them. A Missionary must rely only on the Father's providence: God will know how to touch the heart of someone listening to the Good News, so that the missionary will be welcome. They will certainly lose their missionary zeal if they lived with people who did not understand the Kingdom. Jesus wants the disciples to heal the sick and tell the people

that the Kingdom of God has drawn near to them. Healings bring more than just wellbeing, they are also the sign of spiritual healing, the reconciliation of people with God. Prayerful Awareness The disciples are always with Jesus. From this crowd HE DID CHOOSE a small NUMBER to be His special messengers. His 'apostles' He teaches them how to appear before God in prayer. He shows them what is essential in His Father's eyes. At their request He teaches them the 'Our Father'. Jesus gives His parting disciples instructions valid for all time. Everything depends upon the authority behind them: "He who receives you, receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me." (Mat. 10:20). When the terrible events of Good Friday run contrary to their expectations, the ground beneath their feet begins to rock. Through Golgotha, the world's response to the sacred message, best proves that it is a heavenly message and must first revolutionize earthly standards, the disciples are utterly confounded. They desert the cross and flee except the one whom the Lord 'loved' (John 19:26). At Pentecost the Holy Spirit must open their eyes and unseal their hearts before the truth is really theirs. They seem to have seen and heard physically registering the impression and storing them away in their minds. But when the Spirit descends, the dormant seed suddenly swells and unfolds and at last the men who were to be His faithful witnesses spring up, who in turn spread the Master's word abroad. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, we believe that we are called to bear witness to You at all times and under all circumstances. What we see around us even in our places of worship is not at all in keeping with the values of the kingdom. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit from moment to moment and live according to Your expectations.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

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uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Wednesday 27th January 2016

...the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. ... Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. … When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me, your throne shall be established forever. …. Fix your gaze on Jesus

Lord through the prophet Nathan. Then, here we see the same instruction superseded. David is re-directed towards other tasks more suited to his profile- temperament and skills, with the promise that his son will carry on and complete the task of building the house of the Lord. Both revelations are channelled through the same prophet so as to not confuse David with different prophets saying different things. In testing the heart of David with the first command, the Lord is pleased and re-directs David with another. A reminder of the great things the Lord had done in the life of David too is delivered. Looking at king David, we see that though he was king, he yet stayed open to the revelations the Lord makes through the prophets. In today's language, he does not become a 'control freak' with a bloated ego. He recognises that he is part of a body; i.e.; though the mind decides and issues the instructions to the body, yet it depends on the eyes to see and the ears to hear. How relevant this is for us today! Staying open and receptive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit is a prime requisite for all of us. It is this necessity that the Lord Jesus speaks of in today's 'Parable of the Sower'. Our hearts and minds have to become like a 'Rich Soil' before the ministration of the Holy Spirit of God. It is only the Holy Spirit of God who knows the completeness- the Whole of God; and knowing so, can provide us the best-optimal guidance for the situation before us. That again, considering the present state we ourselves are in. How fortunate we are when we are able to stay flexible and open before the ministrations of the Holy Spirit of God! Prayer Starter

The Lord our God is complete and whole....let us stay before this perfection.... As the background to today's scripture, we see that the King David had started off to build the Lord of the Hosts a magnificent house, as he was instructed by the

Lord, help us realise how blessed we are when we become more and more open to Thy guidance and ministrations...guide us in breaking down the defences we're created within, preventing our realisation of this blessed state...!

2 Samuel: 7/4-17 Psalm: 89/3-4, 26-29 Mark:4/1-20 The First Proclamation

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Thursday 28th January 2016 2 Samuel:7/18-19, 2429 Psalm: 132/1-5, 11-14 Mark: 4/21-25 The First Proclamation Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God; you have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come.... And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people forever; and you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, comfirm it forever; do as you have promised. Thus your name will be magnified forever in the saying, 'the Lord of hosts is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David will be established before you...... The Gospel Proclamation He said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen! And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear, the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away." Prayerful Awareness In the above Gospel reading, Jesus warns us, "You waste your time if you only listen to me and do not allow what you hear to bear fruit". The measure that you measure out will be the measure you receive. That is to say, if you

begin to act according to what you have learned, you will receive from God new strength and new knowledge. But if you do nothing, even your religious beliefs will be of no value to you, not even when you present yourself before God. So we have to question ourselves again and again The word works secretly within the heart. Then we discover the transformation that is at work in our life. This proclaims Christ and make known to others the secret that has made us happy. Also, light is used to cast our darkness. So when it is hidden it defeats its purpose. A measurement, on the other hand is an instrument whose purpose is not only to determine physical characteristics but also to describe a certain value like a person's character. Wisdom based on Christ's teaching is like a bright light that casts out the darkenss of confusion. What is hidden will eventually see the light of day. Jesus associates His Father God in such a way that He is filled fully in this infinite love and as a result acts with great love and compassion towards all people. Jesus says that He is the Light of the world and those who live in this Light will never behave in darkness. Jesus insists us to live more and more in His closeness in order to radiate the Light to each and everyone. Let us too be the reflectors of Jesus' Light. Prayer Starter Thank You Father God for giving us Your Son Jesus who is our perfect guide in all our life situations. Help us Lord to associate Him intimately in order to live with Christian values for ever and ever. Amen.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Friday 29th January 2016 2 Samuel: 11/1-10, 1317 Psalm: 51/1-5, 8-9 Mark:4/26-34

Gospel Proclamation He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, at once he starts to reap because the harvest has come. He also said, ‘what can we say that the kingdom is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds of earth. Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade. Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.

Gaze at Jesus Goodness of what can be harvested may depend on what was sown. Jesus seems to reiterate this fact when He says that one may start sowing seeds of goodness that can be as small as a mustard seed, yet it will increase to plenty. Jesus gives us the confidence to act out in faith as acts of goodness will reap goodness in the world that will spread out like the branches of the mustard tree. Eventually, the fully grown tree gives shelter to the birds. Therefore, an experience of the Kingdom of God

in the society is a collective responsibility as one sows the seed, God will tend and care and do the rest to reap a bountiful harvest. In the first reading Samuel, warns us of the traps that can hinder goodness through our own negligence. David, who lost his focus and his good reputation as a just king was lost to the nation after he saw Uriah’s wife and consequent actions of David led to Uriah’s death and David earned God’s wrath. Although, God was merciful to David and did not completely withdraw the promises given to him, God withdrew certain privileges that were pledged and allowed the consequence of David’s misdeeds affect society.

Our sonship Therefore, God’s merciful love is a gift. We as Christians have an obligation to harness God’s generosity with responsibility over our own lives and in the wider society, remembering that kingdom of God can spread like the branches of the mustard tree through the good seeds we sow and nurtured by God and our bad actions could spread like gangrene as from David’s story. Throughout the day therefore, let us: · be mindful of our small deeds, our words and our action and take great care to be a support to others. · be joyful and not fret over misdeeds of others as our trust is in the Lord who takes care of us. · be not afraid to admit with humility our mistakes and our weaknesses so as not to lead others astray.

Prayerful praise (Psalm 51:3) I recognize my faults, I am always conscious of my sins. Praise the Lord!

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

Saturday 30th January 2016 God Loves us very much and due to 2 Samuel:12/1-7, 10-17 this Great Love He is full of Mercy to Psalm: 51/10-15 forgive the sins we commit due to our weakMark:4/35-41 nesses as stated in 1 John 1, 9 “if we The Gospel Proclamation ... he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ....A great windstorm arose, .... But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, ... and there was a dead calm. .... Prayerful Awareness First Reading is based on the grave sin committed by David, the king anointed by God through His prophet. Although David committed this sin in secrecy, as God knows everything, God sent His servant Nathan to inform David of the punishments David would receive due to his sins. Nathan put it to David as a Parable and explained that the wrong doer in the parable is none other than David himself, then informed of the punishments David will derive. On hearing this David said to Nathan admitting his sins “I have sinned against the Lord”. Nathan answered David “The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin; you shall not die. But, since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed. The child born to you must surely die”. Sometimes we may also commit sins in secrecy or will take steps to hide our sins from being known by others; could it be adultery or child abuse or theft or taking bribes and commissions in various ways or carrying out various unscrupulous acts or lying, but God knows everything. Whatever sins we commit whether big or small, we commit all sins against God and this hurts God. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4:30. Every sin has an inherent punishment. We need to truly repent for them and ask for forgiveness not to do the sin any more.

acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing”. By the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Church helps all who repent for their sins, not to do such sins again, to get absolved from such sins they acknowledge in the presence of an Ordained Priest, trained and anointed to represent Lord Jesus Christ for this purpose. Due to God’s Great Love for us God sent His only Son to save all, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish, but might have eternal life. The disciples in the boat caught up in the storm, did not know who Jesus was, their Teacher, their Leader and for some, another prophet carrying out miracles with God’s power. In Mark 8, 27 – 28 When questioned “Who do people say that I am” disciples replied, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” But, Jesus Christ is the only Son, God. Who reveals God the Father. As John 1, 18 “No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed Him.” How well do you know Jesus Christ and what is your relationship with Jesus Christ? You may have already accepted Him as Your Saviour and Lord. As Romans 10, 9 say, As a witness, do you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, so that you will be saved. Then allow Lord to generate a desire within your heart to share this wealth, the Gospel with others, so that they too may be saved. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, I Thank and Praise You Lord, for Your Great Love for me and for dying on the cross to pay for my sins. Forgive all my past sins and take control of my life. Raise me and Help me to be the person that You want me to be. Amen

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

Sunday 31st January 2016

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah: 1/4-5,17-19 Psalm: 71/1-6, 15-17 1 Corinthians: 12/3113/13 or 13/4-13 Luke: 4/21-30 Introduction In the modern world there are many groups of people who maintain a relationship amongst their membership even though they are physically scattered over a wide geographical area. This has been made possible by the fantastic advances in communication technology. The people of God who from time to time were scattered in foreign lands yearned to be together in one land. This they wished for so that they could journey as a people with God and with each other. So the entrance antiphon expresses their desire. The Entrance Antiphon Save us, Lord our God, and gather us together from the nations that we may proclaim our holy name and glory in your praise. The wonder is that the fulfilment of the desire for peoplehood was made a reality through the intervention of the prophets raised up from amongst them by the Lord God. Those chosen for this task were a reluctant lot because they were the victims of persecution and misunderstanding. It is recorded that most prophets were killed. With this background let us read the proclamations for today. The First Proclamation The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I

command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day that have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land; Against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Prayerful Awareness The bible scholars say that these verses are not the testimony of a youth looking at future ministry; they are the witness of a mature, battle scarred veteran looking back over a long and tortuous journey. This veteran knows who he is because he has been tested in the fire and stood firm. He had experienced the strength and empowerment of God in the most adverse circumstances imaginable. He had come to know who he is because he had come to know who God is in His faithfulness! If we are to take this point of view as authentic, we have to acknowledge that prophets are confirmed in their ministry on the job rather than at a particular point of time in their lives. So the necessity of the potential prophet to take a leap in faith in the assurance that the message he has in his heart is inspired by the Lord God. Consequent rejection of the message and the prophet could be construed as proof of authenticity of both. Jesus, in the Gospel of today begins His prophetic ministry in His hometown of Nazareth. Gospel Proclamation He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’ And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and let him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. Gaze at Jesus Jesus takes upon Himself the identity of a prophet. He knew what that implied. Prophets did not have a reputation for bringing miracles and good things to the people of Israel. Therefore He says: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place”. Why because most often, the prophets of Israel brought a message that confronted the people with their own failures to be God’s people. Jesus seems to have desired to taste the lot of the prophet from day one of His ministry. He faces the fury of the people with the confidence gained from His relationship with Yahweh God He called Father. The fact that He was able to pass through the

angry mob is evidence of the authority of a prophet that would have been stamped in the experience of His face. The expression would have manifested what is described in the second proclamation. The Second Proclamation Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quicktempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Our sonship We at our Baptism as Christians received the three-fold mission of Jesus of being servant-king, priest and prophet. The foundation of all that is involved in carrying out this mission is LOVE. Prayer Starter Lord let me thirst to experience in my life Your love for me. The Love You have for me as SERVANT KING when Your providence satisfies my every need, as PRIEST when Your sacrificial love saves me, as PROPHET when You speak within me and direct me to obey Your Father’s Will.

"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

zz Y = o aOd; au hd f KkS" ud

hq; =

uu k ui al dr l =u la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

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"O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"

THE COVER STORY The ‘Catechism’ regarding the Sacraments of the Catholic Church has gained access to the living tradition of the Church as a participation in the life of Jesus Christ. The baptism of our Lord Jesus at the Jordan River was none other than the acceptance of the call to divine Sonship. The baptism that we have all received, is the beginning of the life we live as Christians. The participation in the baptism of blood received by Jesus Christ on the cross; It would be a blessing if we could accept the different types of sufferings and rejections that we experience in daily life as participation in such a baptism. We also truly participate in the baptism of blood our Lord Jesus Christ through the nourishment we receive through the most holy Eucharist; the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, “We live, move and have our being in Him” (Acts 17:28) We wish you a Happy New Year! Walk in the Spirit - January 2016 ISSN 1391-5967 "O Lord, to Receive a Touch of Your Love"