Walk in the Spirit March 2016 by Pubuduwa

"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

WALK IN THE SPIRIT March 2016 Volume 03 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 March 2016

Jesus preached. Jesus healed. Jesus worked miracles. He comforted people. He was kind, generous. He became angry. He wept. All these in His public life. There was His hidden life. There was something wonderful happening within. Every act, every non-act brought Him the Man closer and closer to the Abba. Every moment of His, by thought, word, deed, non-action was a sacrament. He was incarnate in the fullest sense. He took upon Himself the sins of the world. He led a sacramental life.

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 la±h s

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

Tuesday 1st March 2016 Daniel: 3/25, 34-43 Psalm: 25/4-9 Matthew: 18/21-35 The Gospel Proclamation Then Peter came to Jesus and asked “ Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times? "Not seven times", answered Jesus “but seventy times seven, because the kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king… and Jesus concluded, that is how my father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. Gaze at Jesus Forgiveness is the key to enter eternal glory. Without forgiveness, there is no Salvation. Thus Jesus brings us to the realization that forgiveness is a divine grace and this important aspect of forgiving love is told to us through the parable of the unforgiving servant. Gaze at our sonship When Jesus says “Come follow me”, it simply requires us to be a part of His ministry of salvation. Taking pity upon the confession of the servant he was released from paying many debts that he owed the master. On the part of the servant, he forgot the grace he received from the Master and began to harass his fellow servant to recover what the fellow servant owed in return. Let us examine our own inner conscience. To what extent do we extend the charity we receive from God to others? We will praise the Lord unceasingly when we are redeemed of some burden, some error, some oversight, or a debt. This is the Spirit of God in action to linger around us and help us. We are often comfortable being

charitable with material goodness, favour the favourites or share and care for our own personal satisfaction. However, forgiveness is a forgotten or ignored form of charity. It is also said that forgiveness is a form of inner healing. Forgiveness releases us to love one another unconditionally, thus bring Christ alive in to an otherwise damaged relationship and also it could also bring healing to many physical ailments. Therefore, today’s word of God is guiding us to becoming a mature person with a divine perception. To forgive one another requires higher order thinking and being humble like Jesus. Hence Jesus’call to “Come follow me” or “do to others what you would have them do to you”. Prayerful Awareness Let us give thanks to God for the immense love He pours into our hearts and ask for forgiveness for our failure to do so with one another. Lord, help us be guided by Your love that enrich our lives. Let Your Holy Spirit be the enabler to live our lives as mature Christians. Prayer Starter Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, for You I wait all day long. Be mindful of Your mercy, O Lord, and of Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions, according to Your steadfast love remember me, for Your goodness' sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord, therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.(Ps.25/4-9)

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

Wednesday 2nd March 2016 Deuteronomy: 4/1, 5-9 Psalm:147/12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Matthew: 5/17-19 The First Proclamation So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. See, just as the Lord my God has charged me, I now teach you statutes and ordinances for you to observe in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!" For near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children's children. Prayerful Awareness

teaching you to observe, that you may live ...."; verse 5 says, "I teach you the statutes .... that you may observe them" and verse 6 says "observe them carefully ....." In the Gospel reading, the verse 19 says, "But whoever obeys .... these commandments....." Therefore, it is important not only to hear and study, but observe the laws and commandments in order to "live and..... take possession of the land." (Deut. 4:1), "give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence.... " (Deut. 4:6), "greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:19) Yes, in order to observe the laws, it is imperative first, to "hear the statutes and decrees". (Deut. 4:1) My Sonship One of the charisms of Pubuduwa, is to gaze at Jesus. We gaze at Jesus, the Word of God, when we listen to the scriptures, or reflectively read them. Do I make it a point to read the Word of God daily, reflecting and meditating upon it, in order to hear the voice of God, which emerges in my heart? Or, do I only read the reflection given in the "Walk in the Spirit" for the day, and satisfy myself, that I have read the day's Word of God? The reflection given, only serves as an aid, for our personal meditation of the Word of God. Prayer Starter

In this scripture passage there are Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem several verses that lend for much reflection. Further, the Gospel passage Zion, offer praise to Your God buttresses these verses of the First (Ps. 148:12 ...) Proclamation. For instance, verse 1says ".... hear the statutes and decrees which I am

"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

Thursday 3rd March 2016 Feast of St. Cunegundes, Empress Jeremiah: 7/23-28 Psalm: 95/1-2, 6-9 Luke: 11/14-23 St. Cunegundes She was the daughter of Count Siegfried. She married St. Henry, Duke of Bavaria. He ascended the throne in 1002 and took the title of Henry 11 and was crowned Emperor in 1014 by Pope Benedict VIII. As Queen and Empress she continued her life of prayer and penance and used her position to increase further her charities towards the poor and needy. When she was widowed in 1025 she retired to the Benedictine convent at Kaufungen, founded by her. She died on March 03, 1039 as a humble nun. Together Sts. Cunegundes and Henry were canonized in 1200 and 1146 respectively. They stand out as significant examples of a husband-wife saint couple, a rarity in history. The First Proclamation But this command I gave them, "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it may be well with you." Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but, in the stubbornness of their evil will, they walked in their own counsels, and looked backward rather than forward. From the day that your ancestors came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have persistently sent all my servants, the prophets to them, day after day; yet they did not listen to me, or pay attention, but they stiffened their necks. They did worse than their ancestors did. So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. You shall say to them: This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.

Prayerful Awareness The Father is lamenting as His chosen people have turned their backs on Him. A voice - yes, it does many things - teaches, corrects, commands, consoles, encourages and threatens. Similarly, a finger - touches, holds, points the way , caresses and warns us. The people did not listen to Him and the result - they have lost their way. The pathetic situation the people are in- follow the bad habits of their stubborn hearts and turn away from God, refused to be disciplined and truth has perished. He is waiting at the door, giving them opportunities to see for themselves the sad state they are in. Turning to ourselves, let us learn from their failures and actively seek His Will and let Him alone to guide us thus to be with Him and gather with Him. In the Gospel reading we have "Jesus and Beelzebul". Here we have Jesus' opponents resorting to slander when they were helpless by fair means. When we take a closer look at the whole affair, it is clear that they used incantations and herbs to drive away evil spirits but Jesus on the other hand used His own power flowing through His words and touch. He asked them, "You say that I drive out demons because Beelzebul gives me the power to do so. If this is how I drive out demons, how do your followers drive them out?" They had no answer to this question. Slander - many of us think the worst and place ourselves on a pedestal. Often we prefer derogatory remarks to complementary. Many of us cannot say that we are free of this particular sin. How often do we fall prey to thinking worst of other people become tale-bearers to derogate others' good name, reputation, character etc murder reputation in idle chatter. Do we let complacency set in at the expense of other's character, reputation, etc." Prayer Starter Help us to see ourselves with Your eyes. Amen.

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

Friday 4th March 2016 Hosea: 14/1-9 Psalm: 81/5-7, 8-11, 13, 16 Mark: 12/28-34

Whom God loves, he loves freely; not because they deserve it, but of his own good pleasure. God will be to them all they need. The grace thus freely bestowed on them shall not be in vain. They shall grow upward, and be more The First Proclamation flourishing; shall grow as the lily. The Israel, come back to Yahweh your lily, when come to its height, is a lovely God your guilt was the cause of your flower, They shall grow downward, downfall. Provide yourself with words and be more firm. With the flower of and come back to Yahweh. Say to him, the lily shall be the strong root of the 'Take all guilt away and give us what cedar of Lebanon. Spiritual growth is good, instead of bulls we will dedi- consists most in the growth of the root, cate to you our lips. Assyria cannot which is out of sight. They shall also save us, we will not ride horses any spread as the vine, whose branches more, or say, "Our God!" to our own extend very widely. When believers handiwork, for you are the one in abound in good works, then their whom orphans find compassion.' I branches spread. They shall be acceptshall cure them of their disloyalty, I able to God and man. Holiness is the shall love them with all my heart, for beauty of a soul. God's promises are my anger has turned away from them. realised by those who attend on his I shall fall like dew on Israel, he will ordinances; by all who dwell under it. bloom like the lily and thrust out roots When a soul is brought to God, all who like the cedar of Lebanon; he will put dwell under his shadow fare the betout new shoots, he will have the beauty ter. Sanctifying fruit shall appear in that of the olive tree and the fragrance of life. Thus believers grow up into the Lebanon. They will come back to live experience and fruitfulness of the gosin my shade; they will grow wheat pel. again, they will make the vine flourSee the power of Divine grace. God ish, their wine will be as famous as works such a change in him, that he Lebanon's. What has Ephraim to do loathes the idols as much as ever he with idols any more when I hear him loved them. See the benefit of sanctiand watch over him? I am like an ev- fied afflictions. See the nature of reergreen cypress, you owe your fruit- pentance; it is a firm and fixed resolufulness to me. Let the wise understand tion to have no more to do with sin. these words, let the intelligent grasp The Lord meets penitents with mercy, their meaning, for Yahweh's ways are as the father of the prodigal met his straight and the upright will walk in returning son. God will be to all true them, but sinners will stumble. converts both a delight and a defense; they sit under his shadow with delight. Fix your gaze on Jesus Prayer Starter Thank You Lord for Your abiding love; turn us that we may experience I believe in Your ever-flowing a drop therein.... abundant love Lord; let me experiIsrael the Chosen seek God's face, ence this totally enveloping love by and they shall not seek it in vain. His abiding in Your commandments.... anger is turned away from them.

"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

Saturday 5th March 2016 Hosea: 5/15-6/6 Psalm:51/1-2, 16-19 Luke: 18/9-14

The First Proclamation I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favor. "Come, let us return to the Lord, for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up,. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

The Gospel Proclamation He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people, thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, stand-

ing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus taught great crowds of people, especially through PARABLES, which are stories with great TRUTHS. But only those with ears to HEAR will understand. We should pay that God's SPIRIT would help us understand the implications o these truths, for our lives, so we can become more like Jesus. The people who lived near Jerusalem often went to the temple to pray. The temple was the centre of their worship. The Pharisee did not go to the temple to PRAY to GOD but to announce to all within earshot how GOOD he WAS. The tax collector went recognizing his sin and begging for mercy. Self-righteousness is DANGEROUS. It leads to PRIDE, causes a person to DESPISE others and prevents him from learning anything from God. The tax collector's prayer SHOULD be our prayer because we all need God's mercy every day. We should never let pride in our achievements cut us off from God. We can chase after self love, love of recognition, love of power, pleasure, money and position. The temptation in this world to "show off " can be very seductive. Let us be loyal and truthful to God, remaining completely faithful to God in all things at all times.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, You are our perfect teacher, leader and Savior. You offer forgiveness to all who will accept you as lord of our lives. Thank You Jesus for the gift of Faith.

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

Sunday 6th March 2016

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Joshua: 5/9-12 Psalm: 34/1-6 2 Corinthians: 5/17-21 Luke: 15/1-3, 11-32 Introduction Sometimes the struggle for independence and fulfillment as individuals often put us in conflict with others. We strive hard to prevail over the other. When the struggle is on for autonomy, it gives a sense of excitement and adventure. But when we seem to have achieved “freedom” we begin to yearn for the very thing that we thought was stifling us. Then, when we think about going back, the things that happened in the process of breaking up holds us back. We are not sure whether the relationship we relinquished will have us back. Today’s proclamations reveal to us how God acts in His relationship with man whose constant mind-set is the pursuit of a sense of fulfillment. So let us read/cant the entrance antiphon in preparation to receive the revelation of love in to our hearts. Entrance Antiphon Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her; you who mourn for her and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts. The First Proclamation Then the lord said to Joshua, “Truly I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the place is called Gilgal to the present day. While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the month. On the day after the Passover they ate of the produce of the land in

the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that same day after the Passover on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan. Prayerful Awareness A mother of any animal species instinctively feeds her offspring till they are able to feed themselves. Human mothers also do the same thing going beyond instinct. Today’s first proclamation reveals to us the maternal concern of God as He journeys with His chosen people through the desert till they reach the Promised Land. God sees to it that His people do not stare by showering ‘manna’ from heaven to feed them. As mothers do, God AbbaAmma fulfils His part of the covenant unilaterally. Gospel Proclamation The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them he addressed this parable. Then he said, “A man had two sons and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son …. Set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance …. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, … who sent him to is farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, But here

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

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am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off ,his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to is son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servant, ‘Quickly bring the finest roe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine as dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter te fattened calf. ‘He said to him, ‘My son, you were here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he

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j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

was lost and has been found. Gaze at Jesus Read the underlined sections of the Gospel proclamation and gaze at the “Abba” experience of Jesus. I seems that from the day that the son deserts him the Abba has spent his time gazing into the distance waiting to catch a glimpse of him returning home When he sees the son, the heart of the Abba rather than being filled with anger or indignation is filled with compassion and joy. Second Proclamation So whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteous of God in him. Our Sonship The sacrament of reconciliation is the gift given us to experience God’s amazing love of reconciliation which makes us “a new creation”; A new creation sans a sinful history. We are born again. Prayer Starter O Holy Spirit! Open Thou the eyes of my heart to behold my image, holy and blameless before my God. AbbaFather after His reconciling love has overwhelmed me. Tanks be to Thee O loving Father forever and ever …..

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

Monday 7th March 2016 Isaiah:65/17-21 Psalm:30/1, 3-5, 10-12 John: 4/43-54 The First Proclamation For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. ..... The Gospel Proclamation When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee (for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet’s own country). When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had gone to the festival. Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him. “ The father

realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.” So he himself believed, along with his whole household. Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee. Prayerful Awareness This ROYAL official was probably an officer n Herod’s service. He had walked 20 miles to see Jesus and addressed him as ‘SIR’ putting himself under Jesus even though he had LEGAL AUTHORITY over Jesus. This miracle was more than a favour to one official, It was a SIGN to ALL the people. Here a government official had FAITH that Jesus could do what He claimed. The official BELIEVED then he saw a miraculous sign. He not only believed Jesus could heal, he also OBEYED Jesus by returning home, thus demonstrating his faith. It is not enough for us to say we believe that Jesus can take care of our problems. We need to ACT that He can. When you pray about a need or problem live as YOU believe Jesus CAN DO what He says. Jesus’ miracles were NOT mere deceptions or mere dreams. Although the official’s son was 20 miles away, he was HEALED when Jesus spoke the WORD. Distance was no problem because Christ has mastery over SPACE. We can never put so much space between ourselves and Christ that HE no longer helps us. The official’s faith GREW First, he BELIEVED enough to ask Jesus to help his son. Second, he believed Jesus’ assurance that his son would live and he acted on it. Third, he and his whole house believed in Jesus. Faith is a GIFT, that grows as we USE it. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, my merciful Saviour, help; us to grow in faith, to believe You without any doubt. Teach us Jesus how to act and do what You command us to do, as the official did.

"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

Tuesday 8th March 2016 Ezekiel:47/1-9, 12 Psalm: 46/1-5, 7-8 John: 5/1-3, 5-16 First Proclamation Please read Ezekiel 47/1-9, 12 prayerfully. Gospel Proclamation After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Bethzatha, ... In these lay many invalids... One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there .... he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me. Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Take up your mat and walk." They asked him "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take it up and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." ..... Prayerful Awareness When Lord Jesus asked “Do you wish to get well?” the man ill for 38

years expected that the Lord may help him to get into the pool in time, when stirring up of the water takes place. But, instead Lord by His Words “Pick up your pallet and walk”, cured and healed him giving him a new life. There are times that our minds get disturbed due to various reasons, and some times, we find that we cannot come out of our problem or find a solution, with no one to help; same as the sick person by the Bethesda pool. Lord Jesus is so merciful and willing to help us, but, we may not hear His knock on our door, or His words “ Do you wish to get well?”. Then, should we also say, there is no one to help, when Lord Jesus Himself is there. In life, we may also expect Lord to help in what we want to do, or to succeed in achieving our plans for betterment in earthly life. With this desire, we overlook to receive the real healing Lord is prepared to give; the healing for our soul, healing for our mind, healing for our inner wounds and thereby healing for our body, (healing for childhood wounds, fears and other impurities such as anger, hate, jealousy, selfishness, pride, bad attitudes, negative OR sinful thoughts, inferiority complexes etc., which we may be carrying, sometimes even without our knowledge.) If we accept Lord Jesus’ words ( or promises ) that, Lord Loves us (John 15, 9 ), and that He is with us always, until the end of the age (Mathew 28, 20), we can receive His Mercy by just trusting in Him and asking for His Blessings. Prayer Starter Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I Trust in You. Have Mercy on me. I accept You as my Saviour and my Lord, please help me to follow all Your commandments and be attached to You always to continuously receive Your Blessings and Guidance, Thank You Lord, Jesus, Amen.

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

Wednesday 9th March 2016 Isaiah: 49/8-15 Psalm: 145/8-9, 13-14, 17-18 John: 5/17-30 The Gospel Proclamation But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, and I also am working." For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God. Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and show him all that he himself is doing, and he will shows him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his

voice and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. Prayerful Awareness "Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God", as St. Paul puts it. Our God is a Trinitarian God, one God manifesting as three persons. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus reveals God as a father - "My Father is at work ..." (vs. 17) Through the verses 19, 20, 21, 26, 29, 30, Jesus reveals His oneness with God and therefore claims divinity. In verse 27, Jesus also reveals the divine power that He exclusively performs, viz. the judgement. In verse 24, Jesus induces us, to focus our attention on God, through Him. Jesus identifies Himself as the "Word" or the "Message" of the Father personified. i.e. the "Messenger". Finally in verse 30, Jesus reveals that He is the one who was sent to this world. Why? For what purpose? All these revelations about Jesus are put in a nutshell at the beginning of the Gospel of St. John. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (Jon 1:10 To cap all these thoughts and revelations about God, today's first reading brings out beautifully another facet of God - that God is not only fatherly, but motherly too. "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget I will never forget you. See upon the palms of my hands, I have written your name." (Is. 49:15) Prayer Starter You Lord, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works. (Ps. 145:17)

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

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hq; =

Thursday 10th March 2016

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

Feast of Forty Martyrs

Exodus: 32/7-14 Psalm: 106/19-23 John: 5/31-47 Forty Martyrs They were all soldiers belonging to the famous Roman Legion XII. When they were ordered to offer sacrifices to the gods by Licinius, the Eastern Roman Emperor, they flatly refused. After being tormented they were brought for a trial. Here too they boldly declared they were Christians. When further persecution failed they were subjected to brutal torture and then were imprisoned. A vision of Our Lord encouraged them to persevere. The Winter was a severe one. They were condemned to lie naked on the surface of a frozen lake in the open air until they were frozen to death. They remained steadfast while their limbs grew stiff and frozen and died one by one. The Gospel Proclamation "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. ..... He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. ....You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. .... I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? ....

Prayerful Awareness Here we have Jesus answering the charges of His opponents. He admits that unsupported evidence cannot be taken as proof. There must be more than one, to say, at least two. "The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent Him. They invite belief in Him. To those who turn to Him in faith, He grants what they ask. Some miracles strengthen faith in the One who does His Father's works; they bear witness that He is the Son of God. but His miracles can also be occasions for "offence", they are not intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic. Despite His evident miracles some people reject Jesus; He is even accused of acting by the power of demons." (C.C.C.548) The mention of John the Baptist as a witness - yes, he has repeatedly borne witness to Him and that witness was a perfect one. He decreased while Jesus increased. Jesus paid the tribute due to John while at the same time, he rebuked the Jews. What Jesus told the envoys of John is worth mentioning. Jesus tells of His works with the idea of highlighting the power of God working in and through Him. "Any accusation must be upheld by the evidence of two or more witnesses." (2 Cor. 13:1) Here Jesus gives as many as five witnesses- His, The Father's, John's, scriptures and Moses. God's witness can be found in the scriptures. There is ample testimony to Christ in the scriptures. Why did the Jews reject Jesus and some Bible students who read it continuously and meticulously reject Him? It is because they read it in the wrong way and not to search Him but read between the lines - to support their views and arguments. There was a sternness in Christ but in it was an accent of love. Prayer Starter Help us to find Your love and guidance in scripture. Amen.

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

Friday 11th March 2016 Wisdom: 2/1, 12-22 Psalm: 34/16-20, 22 John: 7/1-2, 10, 25-30 The First Proclamation 'Our life is short and dreary, there is no remedy when our end comes, no one is known to have come back from Hades....Let us lay traps for the upright man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our sins against the Law, and accuses us of sins against our upbringing. He claims to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. We see him as a reproof to our way of thinking, the very sight of him weighs our spirits down; for his kind of life is not like other people's, and his ways are quite different. In his opinion we are counterfeit; he avoids our ways as he would filth; he proclaims the final end of the upright as blessed and boasts of having God for his father. Let us see if what he says is true, and test him to see what sort of end he will have. For if the upright man is God's son, God will help him and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies. Let us test him with cruelty and with torture... explore this gentleness of his and put his patience to the test. Let us condemn him to a shameful death since God will rescue him -- or so he claims.' .. Fix your gaze on Jesus Your proclamation Lord, 'In the world you shall have tribulations....', truly is the situation for those who go on the inner journey of becoming aware; of journeying towards and coming before the truth. For, once you come to recognise the truth, you would stand thereby, and refuse steadfastly the falsehood / error that you entertained till then. Similar to the situ-

ation depicted in the book of Wisdom today, in the Gospel today too, the Lord Jesus faced persecution from those who were distressed / felt threatened due to admitting error falsehood in to their belief systems; history repeats, as we in turn must face the same test, and surmount....by staying in the truth; by choosing to stay blessed...! The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Christ proclaimed, that they were in error in their thoughts about his origin. He was sent of God, who showed himself true to his promises. This declaration, that they knew not God, with his claim to peculiar knowledge, provoked the hearers; and they sought to take him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The peculiar situation continues; when people differed about His doctrine and miracles, those who favoured the truth, dared not openly avow their sentiments for fear of reproach and persecution. But those who are contrary, they speak out! Isn't this situation repeating in our nation today? What will be your stand? Will you be a prophet and stand up for truth, fairness, equality and justice? Prayer Starter In this world, we have trouble Lord, but, You overcame all, and we have this inheritance too....turn us now, that we may enter in to this wonderful strength and light; and experience the Truth that sets us free.....

"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

Saturday 12th March 2016 Jeremiah: 11/18-20 Psalm: 7/1-2, 8-11 John: 7/40-53 The Gospel Proclamation When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet" Others said, "This is the Messiah." But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this! Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law they are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" They replied "Surely you are not also from Galilee are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee." Gaze at Jesus Jesus was well aware of His mission as to what and how He should perform in this world. This is the result of the relationship Jesus had with His Father God. This was assured when He read the book of Isaiah at the synagogue. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me, he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to

the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn (Isaiah 61:1, 2) This was confirmed when He received the Baptism of the Spirit at the river Jordan. He became the Son in whom the Father is well pleased. From then onwards Jesus had to depend constantly on the Father throughout His mission until He won resurrection for all mankind. Jesus had to face a lot of hardships and challenges. The Jews were seeking to kill him but this did not deter Him from carrying on His mission which His Father God entrusted to Him. The Jewish feast of the Tabernacle was at hand in Jerusalem and Jesus went there all by Himself and did not move about to be seen by the Jews. It was only when the feast had gone half way that He went up to the Temple and began to teach. The people were keen to know where He got His learning as they were very much impressed with His teaching. What He spoke was His Father's words. "He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of Him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him." (vs.16, 17) Jesus is a living God. He was living not only then but also with us today. Like in the past, our attitudes about Him make it difficult for us to identify Him even presently. If we adhere to our attitudes like the Pharisees, we will not be able to experience Jesus' power and presence in our midst. Prayer Starter Thank You Lord for giving us Jesus and for His proclamation, "If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and let him who believes in me drink, for the scripture says, Out of Him shall flow rivers of the living water". So Lord, help us not to adhere to our wrong attitudes but be awake to Your Spirit to experience Your presence always. Amen.

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

Sunday 13th March 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent Isaiah: 43/16-21 Psalm: 126/1-6 Philippians: 3/8-14 John: 8/1-11

Introduction All spiritual disciplines have one purpose : to get rid of illusions so we can be present. These disciplines exist so that we can see what is, see all that is, see who we are, and see what is really happening right now. During this time of lent we are invited to experience God who showers us with the grace of the present. It is a grace which when accepted liberates us from the tyranny of our individual and collective past. God’s justice is on a now basis. When God sees t sincerity of our repentant hearts our relationship with Him is restored to what prevailed at our beginning, at the time of our conception in His loving heart. As some people say our original image in God is restored.

Entrance Antiphon Give me justice, O God, and defend my cause against the wicked; rescue me form deceitful and unjust men .You, O God, are my refuge.

The First Proclamation Thus says the Lord, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, Who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army. Till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I made a way, in the wasteland, rivers. Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, for I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for

my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.

Prayerful Awareness Let us read the following reflectively: “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs fort, do you not perceive it?” Isaiah presents the Lord as one who IS ACTING rather than one who acted. The Lord Jesus who as true man digested the image of God presented by the prophets is not satisfied with just knowing who God is in the head, but takes steps out to experience God in real life. Let us read the Gospel proclamation to observe how He does it.

The Gospel Proclamation Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before 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

Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go,(and) from now on do not sin any more.”

Gaze at Jesus The Lord Jesus after communing with God His Abba on the Mount of Olives arrives to be with the people. He is confronted with a concrete situation challenging Him to put into effect, what He had read in the book of prophets and what he absorbed during His time of prayer. Let us gaze at Him and see how He handles the situation. Jesus is not willing to be manipulated into a reaction by the explosive nature of the situation He wisely gives himself a little time to take stock of the situation facing Him by being down and scribbling on the ground. Surely He would have listened to what IS Abba had to say about what He faced. Jesus recalls how Yahweh intervened to vanquish the enemies of His chosen people and then found for them a way in the desert and made a river in the wasteland. Jesus sees the heart of His Abba Father, full of compassionate love for his daughter who has been judged and condemned by yet another set of His sons. His response is totally that of His Father.

The Second Proclamation I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

j k ao k d u ek j Z Z

sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus). Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

Our Sonship To answer Jesus’ call “come follow me”, we need to listen to Paul who accepted the call. He speaks through his experience and he tells us that there is a need to ‘lose’ not just some things but all things in order to find ourselves in Jesus. All of us understand what losing our possessions mean, But do we know how to ‘lose’ the way we perceive reality, morality and justice? Let us pray that we be given the thirst to yearn for the goal of being found in Jesus Christ so that we begin to see everything through the eyes of Jesus the Lord. That will be true repentance, true turning around, and true conversion. Try to say that” “I don’t know anything.” May be we could think of ourselves as an erased blackboard, ready to be written on. It s the assumption that we already know, or that we don’t need to know that blocks developing a thirst for the really real. We have to pray for the grace of a beginner’s mind.

Prayer Starter We need to say with the blind man, “I want to see”.

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

Monday 14th March 2016 Daniel:13/1-9,15-17, 19-30, 33-62 Psalm:23/1-6 John:8/12-20 The First Proclamation There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim. He married the daughter of Hilkiah, named Susanna, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord. ... Joakim was very rich, and had a fine garden adjoining his house; the Jews used to come to him because he was the most honored of them all. That year two elders from the people were appointed as judges. Concerning them the Lord had said, "Wickedness came forth from Babylon, from elders who were judges, who were supposed to govern the people." These men were frequently at Joakim's house, and all who had a case to be tried came to them there. When the people left at noon, Susana would go into her husband's garden to walk. Every day the two elders used to see her, going in and walking about, and they began to lust for her. They suppressed their consciences and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering their duty to administer justice..... The Gospel Proclamation Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf, your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards. I judge no one. Yet even If I do judge, my judg-

ment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf. " Then they said to him, 'Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." ..... Prayerful Awareness "I am the light". Jesus calls Himself. "The Light". Before Jesus came into the world, there was darkness in the spiritual world - for the world was covered by sea. At the beginning of the world, when He started creating the world, the first thing He said was "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3. This light is the material light which we call 'day". It is the opposite of darkness when we cannot see anything without the help of a lamp or fire. The everlasting "Light" is Jesus who is non- extinguishable and who is all powerful. Jesus says that all who follow Him will have the "Light of Life" - that is their lives will be enlightening to all others and will shine before God forever. We see that "Being the Light of the world" as Jesus calls Himself, He can show the good and the bad things of the world Those things that lead us to inner peace, joy and happiness in our life here and in the next, and those things that lead us to suffering, misery and despair in our lives. The choice is ours for we have a free will and intelligence to select, what we want. Hence Jesus who says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" is our guide who can lead us along the road to Heaven and to God. Prayer Starter We are called with a Holy calling, the Light of the world to be, To lift up the Lamp of the Saviour , that others the "Light" may see" Anon

"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

Tuesday 15th March 2016 Numbers: 21/4-9 Psalm: 102/1-2, 15-20 John: 8/21-30 Introduction The underlying theme in today’s Proclamations is God’s mercy to mankind despite man’s repeated rejection, turning away, and ungrateful complaining! Man would want to always take the easy path led by the triple forces of evil, the flesh, the world, and the Devil. That is why the Lord says, the path to hell is wide, fast, and easy, whilst the road to heaven is narrow and difficult to traverse. God is Holy, He is totally the Other! i.e. God’s ways are totally and diametrically opposite to that of man’s. This is why most Pharisees and Sadducees failed to accept Jesus as the Son of God, and thereby missed the salvation offered to them on a platter! First Proclamation They left Mount Hor .... On the way the people lost patience. ..., ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the desert? For there is neither food nor water here; we are sick of this meagre diet.’ At this, God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. The people came and said to Moses, ‘We have sinned by speaking against Yahweh and against you. Intercede for us with Yahweh to save us from these serpents.’ Moses interceded for the people, and Yahweh replied, ‘Make a fiery serpent and raise it as a standard. Anyone who is bitten and looks at it will survive.’ ..... Gospel Proclamation Again he said to them: I am going away; you will look for me and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.

So the Jews said to one another, ‘Is he going to kill himself, that he says, “Where I am going, you cannot come?” ‘Jesus went on: You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I have told you already: You will die in your sins. Yes, if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered: What I have told you from the outset. About you I have much to say and much to judge; but the one who sent me is true, and what I declare to the world I have learnt from him. They did not recognise that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus said: When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of my own accord. What I say is what the Father has taught me; he who sent me is with me, and has not left me to myself, for I always do what pleases him. .... Prayerful Awareness The Bible can be described as the story of God’s Love for man, from creation to man’s fall from grace, God’s promise of redemption, and the unfolding story of redemption, through the sacrificial death on the cross, and the Resurrection! Notice the symbolism that is in the Old Testament brought to fulfillment in the New Testament! Slavery to sin is depicted in the physical slavery of God’s chosen people in Egypt, and Moses (Jesus in the New Testament) was called to take the people from slavery to the Promised Land (Heaven). Sin is depicted by the serpent’s sting and resulting death, but claiming victory over sin and death by gazing at the raised standard depicts the saving grace wrought for man by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our redemption then is not based on any good of our own doing, but purely as a gift of grace from the Triune God which we have only to claim by faith! Amen! Alleluia!

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

Wedesday 16th March 2016 Daniel: 3/14-20, 91-92, 95 Psalm: Daniel:3/52-56 John: 8/31-42 The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. “ They him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” They answered him “Abraham is our Father “ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does. They said to him, “We are not illegitimate children, we have one father, God himself. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Prayerful Awareness

Yes, in a, Jesus seems to say that there can be no other way, to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus has also said , “I am the Way the Truth and the Life...” Here Jesus points to Himself, “I am”, as the way, truth, and life. Therefore when the two verses are taken together, what can we arrive at? Let us reflect .... Jesus is the message and the messenger of God. Jesus lives according to His word. Jesus is also the visible image of the invisible God. Therefore the “Word” of God is expressed, not only by what Jesus spoke, but also by every movement, gesture and response of Jesus. Hence, a disciple of Jesus ought to give the same responses in his own life, as Jesus gave in similar situations. And, what is the reward of being a disciple? “... You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (vs.31). In biblical parlance, “Know” means to experience. Therefore, it is seen, that only a person who is a disciple, can experience the truth the truth about life, about h existence, about the world, etc. etc. And Jesus, says, that it is by coming to ‘know” the Truth, that a person is set free. Otherwise, he is being enslaved, Let me reflect ... enslaved from what? ... Prayer Starter

Jesus gives the real definition of who a disciple of Jesus is - “If you Blessed are you, O Lord the God remain in my word, you will truly be my disciple...” (vs.31) Yes, what of our fathers. does Jesus mean when He says “rePraiseworthy and exalted above main in my word”? Let us reflect. all, forever. (Ps. Daniel: 3:52....

"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

Thursday 17th March 2016 Genesis: 17/3-9 Psalm: 10/4-9 John: 8/51-59 The Gospel Proclamation Very truly I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, 'He is our God, though you do not know him. But I know him; If I would say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad." Then the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am." So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. Prayerful Awareness Jesus makes several claims - each more tremendous than the one before. The claim He makes - anyone who keeps His word will never taste death, they took it literally and argued with Him. He was not speaking of physical death. When one accepts Him fully, unconditionally, death has lost its finality. A new relationship with God starts and this is untouchable - none can break it. Death is the key to eternal life with the Creator. The move is from life to life. "The mortal has been changed into the immortal." (1 Corinthians 15:54). Jesus claims unique obedience to and knowledge

of God, Jesus is the flashing beacon beckoning us to know the Father and what the Father wants us to be. "The human nature of God's Son, not by itself but by the union with the Word, knew and showed forth in itself everything that pertains to God. Such is first of all the case with the intimate and immediate knowledge that the Son of God made Man has of His Father. The Son in His human knowledge also showed the divine penetration He had into the secret thoughts of human hearts." (C.C.C.473) "Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming" (vs.56) Jesus wanted to help them to understand His point - he was the Messiah. When God promised Abraham a child in his old age, "..Abraham began to laugh..." (Genesis 17:17) Why? Not because of his old age, not unbelief, but the Messiah was to come from his line and he rejoiced at the thought the magnificence of it all. The future of the nation of Israel, the time when the Messiah would come - yes, Abraham saw it in a dream. The Jews knew all these. Jesus based His claim, a deliberate one - "I am the Messiah Abraham saw in His vision" - based on these. "Only the divine identity of Jesus' person can justify so absolute a claim as "He who is not with Me is against Me"; and His saying that there was in Him ":Something greater than Jonah .... greater than Solomon," something "greater than the temple"; His reminder that David has called the Messiah His Lord, and His affirmations, "Before Abraham was, I Am" and even "I and the Father are One." (C.C.C.590). With our eyes of faith, do we see the Almighty God in Jesus? Prayer Starter Dear Lord!, Cast away all our doubts, help our unbelief. Amen.

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

Friday 18th March 2016 Jeremiah: 20/10-13 Psalm: 18/1-6 John: 10/31-42 The First Proclamation I heard so many disparaging me, 'Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!' All those who were on good terms with me watched for my downfall, 'Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we shall get the better of him and take our revenge!' But Yahweh is at my side like a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, vanquished, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs. Yahweh Sabaoth, you who test the upright, observer of motives and thoughts, I shall see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you. Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh, for he has delivered the soul of one in need from the clutches of evil doers. Fix your gaze on Jesus Holy Holy Holy God! King of the Universe, have mercy on us... The prophet complains of the insult and injury he experienced. But simultaneously experiences that he had nothing to fear of. So long as he saw himself as abiding in the Word of God, conforming in the ways of the Lord, nothing could prevail against him.

It is weakness and folly not to abide in the Lord's Living Word. When we meet with difficulties and discouragements, be strengthened by His Word. The prophet found the grace of God mightily within himself to keep him to his business, notwithstanding the temptation to throw it all up. Whatever injuries are done to us, we must leave them to God to whom vengeance belongs, and who has said, I will repay. So full was he of the comfort of God's presence, the Divine protection he was under, and the Divine promise he had to depend upon, that he stirred up himself and others to give God the glory. A resounding cheer and a song for God was the prophet's considered response. What of us? Let the people of God open their cause before Him, and he will enable them to see deliverance. Shall we follow this same path and realise the same taste of life? The "Taste" that the Almighty Creator is "Eternally" with us? In this non-ending MOMENT we call NOW, we are united and are ONE with our Creator! In unity, we experience the ever-flowing river of Love, and of acceptance; of mercy and salvation! Prayer Starter Let us awaken to this Eternal "Now" where we are LOVED and BLESSED!

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

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Saturday 19th March 2016 St.Joseph,Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2 Samuel: 7/4-6,12-14, 16 Psalm: 89/1-4, 26, 28 Romans: 4/13, 1-18, 22 Matthew:1/16,18-21,24 or Luke: 2/41-51 The First Proclamation But that same night 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. .... 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. ..... The Gospel Proclamation ... When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, for

he will save his people from their sins." ... When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. Gaze on Jesus As the virginal conception could not yet be revealed to a world which was not ready to receive it, everything had to take place under the protection of marriage. Safeguarding the honour of the virgin mother and her divine son - yes, Joseph played a vital role here. If not for his sacrifices Mary would have been considered as an adulteress. And it is because of Joseph, Jesus' legal father, that Jesus is recognised as the heir of David. So we see the two evangelists Matthew and Luke end the genealogy with Joseph. How about the help our Blessed Mother got in her flight to Egypt. Then Joseph played the anchor role in making their home in Nazareth. Virginal conception, marriage, decision of Joseph to leave Mary - these were the most difficult moments in the lives of Joseph and Mary. Mary on the other hand left everything to divine providence. Gaze at my sonship In all the problematic situations Mary remained calm and quiet. She was sure of divine providence and that God would vindicate her. We too should learn to remain calm and quiet in the face of difficulties and misunderstandings. We too would be vindicated by God. The era of the Holy Spirit begins in a special way with the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Then there was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the new Testament. Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, You who is consubstantial with Father and the Son sanctify us so that we may be true sons and daughters of the Father.

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

Sunday 20th March 2016

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Isaiah:50/4-7 Psalm: 22/7-8,16-19, 22-23 Philippians:2/6-11 Luke:22/14-23/56 or 23/1-49

Introduction Today is named Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. Palm Sunday because Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem with people who were waving palms. But the name Passion Sunday has much more meaning and relevance to the happenings on that day and the mission of Jesus. The Lord received His mission from His loving Father. On many occasions Jesus reiterated that His only desire was to do the Will of His Father. He even said that His food was to do the Will of the Father. It goes to show the passion with which Jesus carried out His mission. The journey of the Lord Jesus on the last lap of His mission earth is re-enacted in the liturgy of the word on Passion Sunday. Let us join Him in the journey…

Entrance Antiphon Six days before the solemn Passover the Lord came to Jerusalem and children waving palm branches ran out to welcome him. They loudly praised the Lord. Blessed are you who have come to us so rich in love and mercy.

The First Proclamation The Lord God has given me a welltrained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me. … The Lord God is my help; therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, know-

ing that I shall not be put to shame.

Prayerful Awareness The Lord Jesus who at the very outset of his mission quoted the prophet Isaiah (see Luke 4:1-19) would surely have been more than familiar with the songs of the suffering servant. This song of the suffering servant set the background for Jesus who entered the final phase of Hs mission. He was aware that suffering would play a role in His mission. But awareness and the reality are two different things altogether. Let us read the second proclamation to enable our minds to gaze at Jesus who faces the naked reality of the prophet Isaiah’s portrayal in words.

The Second Proclamation Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to e grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, …. He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Prayerful Awareness This proclamation expresses the “mind”, the thinking of Jesus, a “mind” which Paul urges us to have also if we want to identify fully with Jesus as disciples. “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” The key word in the passage is “emptied”. This kenosis, or emptying, is at the heart of Jesus’ experience during His Passion In spite of Jesus’ identity with the nature of God, He did not insist on his status. He first of all took on himself in the

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

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fullest sense our human nature – ‘like us in all things, but sin”. But, even more, He reached down to the lowest level, the lowest class of human beings – the servant, the slave,. That was still not the end. He let go of all human dignity, all human rights, let go of life itself to die, not any “respectable” form of death, but the death of a convicted criminal in shame and nakedness and total abandonment. (Frank DoyleS.J. in Living Space)

The Gospel Proclamation Then the whole assembly of them arose and ….. brought charges against him …. “We found this man misleading our people, he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews/” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” … But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” Again Pilate addressed them, … “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, ‘What evil as this man done! I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed … and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, A Cyrenian, … and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women …. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, …. They crucified him …. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him .. Above him

T nj yk a f i ag l rñ' wK l<

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there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews” … but this man has done nothing criminal,” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” … Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into our hands I commend my spirit”; …. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” ….

Gaze at Jesus The drama is truly overpowering and needs really to be absorbed, one incident at a time. As the second proclamation revealed to us Jesus goes through the drama as true man. Focusing our attention on the highlighted phrases, we observe that though Jesus seems to be the victim but all through He is in fact, the master. He is master of the situation because he is master of Himself. He responds rather than react to the trials and tribulations He is subjected to .Though He had emptied himself of the privileges of divine sonship He still remained the Son of God dong his Father’s Will. He loves with the Father’s love to the very end. Jesus, for His part, does to strike back, e does not scold, He does not accuse or blame. He begs His Father to forgive those who “do not know what they are doing.” He concluded the mission with the statement “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Our sonship Come follow me is the invitation. It is an invitation to be ’empty’. Of ourselves and have room in our hearts for the other who may be our enemy or persecutor and to love others as He loved us.

Prayer Starter Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna! To the King of kings

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

Monday 21st March 2016 Isaiah: 42/1-7 Psalm: 27/1-3, 13-14 John: 12/1-11 The First Proclamation Please read Isaiah 42/1-7 prayerfully. The Gospel Proclamation Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, .... said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, .... Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. Prayerful Awareness Lazarus' return to life became the LAST straw for the religious leaders, who were bent on killing Jesus. Pure nard was a fragrant ointment imported from the mountains of India. This was very expensive. The amount that Mary used was beyond measure. Quite likely Jesus knew that Judas often dipped into the disciples' money bag for his own use, but never did or said

anything about it. Similarly when we choose the way of sin, God may not immediately do anything to stop us, but this does NOT MEAN He approves of our ACTIONS. What we deserve WILL COME. Judas used a PIOUS phrase to hide his true motives. But Jesus knew what was in his HEART. Judas' life had become a LIE and the devil was ENTERING him. Satan is the FATHER OF LIES and a lying character opens the door to his influence. Jesus' knowledge of us should make us want to keep our actions firm with our words. Because we have nothing to FEAR with Him, we should have nothing to HIDE. This act and Jesus' response to it do NOT teach us to IGNORE the POOR. This was a unique act for a specific occasion - an anointing that anticipated Jesus' burial, and a public declaration of FAITH in Him, as MESSIAH. Jesus' words would have taught Judas a VALUABLE lesson, about the WORTH of money. Unfortunately Judas did NOT take heed; soon he would SELL his MASTER's life for 30 pieces of silver. The Chief Priests' BLINDNESS, HARDNESS of heart led them to sink deeper into sin. They rejected the MESSIAH, planned to kill Him, PLOTTED to murder, Lazarus as well. One sin leads to another. They wanted Lazarus killed because he was a LIVING WITNESS to Jesus' power. This is a warning to US to avoid sin. Sin leads to a chain of sins, a downward spiral that can be STOPPED only by REPENTANCE and the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT to change our behaviour. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to our rescue when we were lost and helpless in our sins. You have forgiven our sins, provided a way to reconcile to You. Help us to be grateful for Your grace and mercy.

"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

Tuesday 22nd March 2016 Isaiah: 49/1-6 Psalm: 71/1-6, 15-17 John: 13/21-33, 36-38

Introduction Today’s scripture passages contain prophesies regarding the Messiah who will restore the Father/Son relationship between God and man, and in the Gospel Proclamation we see our Lord Jesus Christ preparing His closest disciples regarding His imminent Passion including death on the cross through which He will glorify God and God will in turn glorify Him with the Resurrection!

First Proclamation Coasts and islands, listen to me, pay attention, distant peoples. The Lord called me when I was in the womb, before my birth he had pronounced my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, ‘Israel, you are my servant, through whom I shall manifest my glory. But I said, ‘My toil has been futile, I have exhausted myself for nothing, to no purpose.’ Yet all the while my cause was with Yahweh and my reward with my God.....

Song of Praise (Psalm:71/16,15-17) In you, Yahweh, I take refuge, I shall never be put to shame. In your saving justice rescue me, deliver me, listen to me and save me. Be a sheltering rock for me, always accessible; you have determined to save me, for you are my rock, my fortress. My God, rescue me from the clutches of the wicked, from the grasp of the rogue and the ruthless. For you are my hope, Lord, my trust, Yahweh, since boyhood. On

you I have relied since my birth, since my mother’s womb you have been my portion, the constant theme of my praise. My lips shall proclaim your saving justice, your saving power all day long. I will come in the power of Yahweh to tell of your justice, yours alone. God, you have taught me from boyhood, and I am still proclaiming your marvels.

Gospel Proclamation …….. Jesus was deeply disturbed and declared, ‘In all truth I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.’…… As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. It was night. When he had gone, Jesus said: Now has the Son of man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified. If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon. Little children, I shall be with you only a little longer…… Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Now you cannot follow me where I am going, but later you shall follow me.’ …….

Prayerful Awareness The sentiments expressed in the First Proclamation and the Psalm are prophetic verses describing the experience of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is now relevant to us baptized Christians who form the Body of Christ! It is our calling now to be a light unto the nations so that salvation may reach the ends of the earth! In this process we too at times feel that our toils have been futile, and we have exhausted for no purpose, but are reminded that we are all cogs in the wheel of God’s Plan to spread the Good News to those around us! Thanks be to God! What Amazing Grace! Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

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

Wednesday 23rd March 2016 Isaiah: 50/4-9 Psalm: 69/7-9, 20-21, 30, 32-33 Mathew:26/14-25 The Gospel Proclamation Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?".... So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them ... "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?" He answerd, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me .... Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely, not I, Rabbi?" He replied, "You have said so.". Prayerful Awareness The theme of today's reading is "preparation for the passover". What is this Passover meal? In the ancient times, the Jewish people were under the grip of Pharoah, as slaves in Egypt. To make a long story short, when these chosen people pleaded with God to set them free of this slavery through the mediation of Moses, God arranged for the release of these people from the clutches of Pharoah and granted them freedom. On the night prior to their release from Egypt, these people were instructed by God to have a last meal according to certain customs. So once

these people were set free the Jewish people customarily had this ritual meal annually in rememberance of their release from slavery to freedom, partaking of this meal was celebrated by the Jewish people as the Feast of Unlevened Bread. Gaze at Jesus As we approach Good Friday, let us take our minds 2016 years backwards. Such a day would have been a fateful day for Jesus. Jesus, being a prophet knew (vs. 21-24) that this would be His last Passover meal on this earth. Let us enter into the mind and inner disposition of Jesus as He prepared for this last meal with His closest associates. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, teach us as to what was gong on in Jesus' mind .... Could it be that human as He was, He was sad to leave His followers high and dry? Would He have thought of being very close to His disciples even after His departure from thus world? Could such thoughts have prompted Jesus to institute the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist? (vs. 26-30) A look at myself What does the Holy Eucharist mean to me? Do I have the idea or the conviction that it is the real presence of Jesus so very close to me? Am I able to see through the eyes of faith the Risen Lord Jesus in this white host? Does my response in the presence of the Eucharist confirm or betray this belief? Prayer Starter Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.(Ps:69/32, 33)

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

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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

Thursday 24th March 2016 Maundy Thursday Exodus:12/1-8, 11-14 Psalm:116/12-13,15-18 1 Corinthians:11/23-26 John:13/1-15 The Gospel Proclamation Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come ... Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas... to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, ..., got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said .., “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Prayerful Awareness What a dramatic and unforgettable les-

son in humility we have here. On the surface it looks like that, but there is more to it than that. Jesus saw both His hour of humiliation and hour of glory were near. He washed the disciples’ feet yet He was aware of His power and glory. It was humility at its highest that led Him to do so. When one falls ill or faces and accident the people round will perform any service and take delight in them. Love is like that. Some think they are distinguished to do humble or menial things. Jesus was not like that. He had the knowledge that He was the Lord of all but He stooped down to wash their feet. He knew well that His end was near and was on His way to the Father but touched the depths and limits of His selfless service to others. The nearness to God experienced by Him led him not to be distanced from people but brought Him nearer than ever to them. The greatness highlighted here is the greatness of service. When someone does not get one’s place, trouble arises, even in churches. It is so even with religious dignitaries. They are offended when they do not receive the precedence they are entitled to. Can we picture the Son of God with a towel wrapped round His waist kneeling at His disciples’ feet? “Our Lord admitted it, that in a certain sense, His apostles were kings; neither did He deny their instinct for aristocracy, but their’s was to be the nobility of humility, the greatest becoming the least. To drive the lesson home, He reminded them of the position He occupied among them, as Master and Lord of the table, and yet one in which every trace of was killed. Many times He told them He came not to be served but to serve. To bear the burden of others and particularly their guilt was the reason He became the “Suffering Servant” foretold by Isaiah. (Archbishop Fulton J. Seen) Prayer Starter “The towel is around my waist but I can’t bend down (Pubudu hymn 250) Put me in the right track, I pray.

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

Friday 25th March 2016Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord Isaiah: 52/13-53/12 Psalm: 31/1,5,11,12, 14-16, 24 Hebrews:4/14-16; 5/7-9 John: 18/1-19/42

The First Proclamation Look, my servant will prosper, will grow great, will rise to great heights. As many people were aghast at him -he was so inhumanly disfigured that he no longer looked like a man- so many nations will be astonished and kings will stay tight-lipped before him, seeing what had never been told them, learning what they had not heard before....Who has given credence to what we have heard? And who has seen in it a revelation of Yahweh's arm? Like a sapling he grew up before him, like a root in arid ground. He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts; he was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard. Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing, ours the sorrows he was carrying, while we thought of him as someone being punished and struck with affliction by God; whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions, crushed because of our guilt; the punishment reconciling us fell on him, and we have been healed by his bruises. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh brought the acts of rebellion of all of us to bear on him. Ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb before its shearers he never opened his mouth.....

Fix your gaze on Jesus Holy Lord, bring to us comprehension of the Joy and the Agony of Your Passion.. Here begins that wonderful, minute, and faithful description of the office, character, and glory of the Messiah, which continues to strike conviction to many of the most hardened unbelievers. Christ is Wisdom itself; perfectly grounded, and is the foundation of this creation; simple to understand that, as it is the Living Word that manifested / caused the Creation to Be! He is the Linchpin on that which every blessed thing rests. In the work of our redemption, the appearing of God in a way that enabled us (humanity) to see is the wisdom of God; it is a mystery, and yet is perfectly revealed! He came to give Sight to the Blind; to liberate those Enslaved.... to empower the enfeebled... Those that saw him said, Surely never has man looked so miserable: never was sorrow like unto his sorrow. But God highly exalted him. And the power of Christ once shedding his blood for sinners still continues. May all opposers see the wisdom of ceasing their opposition, and choose to be made partakers of the blood of sprinkling, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost; obeying him, and praising his salvation. We were His purpose; giving sight to us and redeeming us His objective; and this purpose shall be fulfilled. Do we want to go along? Choose that which is good and liberating for ourselves..

Prayer Starter Thank You gracious Lord for Your magnanimity and wisdom; we praise You for giving us the anointing to open up to Your drops of Love and Acceptance..

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

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

hq; =

Saturday 26th March 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

Holy Saturday

1.Genesis:1/1-2/2 or 1/1,26-31 Psalm:33/4-7,12-13, 20-22 or 104/1-2,5-6, 10,12-14,24,35 2.Gen:22/1-18 or 7.Eze:36/16-28 22/1-2,9-13, Ps:42/2-4, 15-18 43/3,4 3.Ex:14/15-15/1 8.Romans:6/3Ps:Ex:15/1-6, 11 17-18 Ps.118/1-2, 4.Is:54/5-14 16-17, Ps:30/1,3-5 22-23 5. Is:55/1-11 9.Luke:24/1Ps:Is,12.2-6 12 6.Baruch:3/9Ps.19/7-10 15, 32, 4/4 Ps:19/7-10 Holy Saturday is Holy as it is different from any other Saturday in the Calendar. Readings of the church today enable us to reflect on the events of the salvation history from the beginning of creation to the resurrection of Christ. Let us reflect. In the first reading in Genesis, the word depict, the manifestation of God’s word on the desolate space, His Spirit hovers over it and through the darkness comes a light that is the birth of the universe. Then God creates man in His image and puts him in charge of the creation. Man who was given a free choice, to be under God’s authority or to find his own was he chose the latter. In the second reading Lord chooses Abraham, tests him and refines him to be God’s protégée. He accepted God’s Holiness and showed what God can enable, when we give our life over to His guidance. In the third reading God shows that nothing is impossible in His divine capacity when he takes the Israelites across the red sea. Israelites came to the realization that He is the God who will always walk with them, be with them and nurture them.

God created a bond of faith with the Israelites. In the fourth reading Israelites from time to time moves away from God and Lord continues to renew His promise through Isaiah. “The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace. So says the Lord who loves you” (54:10). In the fifth reading Lord reiterates, His promises are true. God’s spoken word will bear fruit. In the sixth reading we gaze at our own plight and it is attributed to the fact that we have left the source of wisdom. It is us to reflect “how great the universe where God dwells in” and his wisdom visible in the creation. Creation is a source to know Him, experience him and taste him. In the seventh reading, Ezekiel says in spite of the goodness of the Lord in the Land that God gave us, we have defiled it with our sinful action. In the eighth reading we are prompted that in Christ we have new life. Christ has been raised from the dead therefore, if we die in Christ we also can be raised to life again with Him. In the ninth reading, we encounter Christ who died for us and God’s promise of a new life is fulfilled in Jesus. Women encounter this spiritual journey finding the Risen Christ. They take the news to the other apostles. Prayerful Awareness In the expanse of our own lives we take this journey from birth until we meet the risen Lord. In that encounter we receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to witness to the new beginning God promised to all generations. Prayer starter Thank You Lord for the new birth You are about to bestow on us on Easter Sunday when we can cry out Alleluia! Enable within us a spirit to take the good news to the society and be an instrument of God salvation to others.

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

Sunday 27th March 2016 Acts: 10/34, 37-43 Psalm: 118/1-2, 16-17 22-23 Colossians: 3/1-4 or 1 Corinthians:5/6-8 John: 20/1-9 or Luke: 24/1-12 But for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, who would have ever cared for this man called Jesus. Born of poor parents in poor circumstances, a carpenter for a good part of his life, a sort of itinerant preacher and then finally, put to an ignominious death on a cross like a common criminal. Who would have come to know about him, speak about or write about him as we do have in the Gospel and other writings. The fact is that he is not only known, there are books and books and books, and doctoral theses about this man, a Jew. But then, is reported, a shocking unprecedented event about him. He rose from the dead. We begin our prayerful meditation with the entrance antiphon: "I have risen; I am with you once more; you placed your hand on me to keep me safe. How great is the depth of your wisdom! Alleluia!" What beauty in these words, that have been put in the mouth of Jesus. He is made to address His own Abba.

The First Proclamation Then Peter began to speak to them, "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the

Easter Sunday Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Let us pay attention to vs. 39-42. We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him, finally, hanging him in a tree, only to have God raise him up on the third day and grant that he be seen, not by all, but only by such witnesses as had been chosen beforehand by God - by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and to bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of the living and the dead." It was no hallucination of a few women. We see several men of the calibre of Peter and others not only saw Him but even ate and drank with Him There were doubting Thomases too, but their doubt eventually became corroborative material for the reality of what happened on Easer Sunday. Alleluia, Alleluia! Christ our Passover, as been sacrificed. let us celebrate the feast then in the Lord. Alleluia!

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

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The Gospel Proclamation John wouldn't fail to make it clear that he had a special place in the heart of the Lord, so much so that he would consider the place besides Jesus at meals was his privilege and he enjoyed it. John records the resurrection thus: Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away, so she ran off to Simon Peter and the other disciple (the one Jesus loved) and told them, "The Lord has been taken from the tomb! We don't know where they have put him!" At that, Peter and the other disciple started out on their way toward the tomb. They were running side by side, but then the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He did not enter but bent down to peer in, and saw the wrappings lying on the ground. Presently Simon Peter came along behind him and entered the tomb. He observed the wrappings on the ground and saw the piece of cloth which had covered the head not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the disciple who had arrived first at the tomb went in. He saw and believed. With this, the disciples went back home.

The Second Proclamation One could with the help of the Holy Spirit try to understand the mind and heart of Paul, who having met the Risen Lord on his way to Damascus, saw his whole life changed and become a powerful witness of this great event in history - the resurrection of Jesus. He would have been overawed. He did not want to see only himself caught up in this very valuable and liberating experience. He was impatient with himself and others too in the task of not only proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus but even to see that their lives changed. He

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had something very specific now to focus his mind and heart on. He would tell the Colossian community as well as us too in the 21st Century, "You must look for the things that are in heaven where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed, and he is your life, you too will be revealed in all your glory with Him." Seemingly, Paul has nothing else to say. But we know he could not stop with just a few words about the resurrection. We who have gone through his letters to the Romans, the Galatians, the Philippians the Ephesians and the other epistles of his, would know what an impact the encounter with the Risen Lord had on this man. Let us conclude our prayer today with a special sequence that is placed between the second proclamation and the third. Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer sacrifice and praise. The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; and Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Father reconciled. Death with life contend ed; combat strangely ended! Life's own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign. Tell us, Mary, say what thou didst see upon the way. The tomb the Living did enclose; I saw Christ's glory as he rose! The angels there attesting; shroud with grave-clothes resting. Christ, my hope, has risen; he goes before you into Galilee. That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know. Victorious King, thy mercy show! Let us pray: God our Father, by raising Christ Your Son You conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us.

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

Monday 28th March 2019 Acts: 2/14, 22-32 Psalm:16/1,2,5,7-11 Matthew:28/8-15 The First Proclamation But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know, this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. .... The Gospel Proclamation So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me. ... After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep." .... So they took the money and did as they were directed, and this story is still told among the Jews to this day. Prayerful Awareness Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Alleluia! Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life". By His Resurrection

Jesus has now given hope to millions of people who can now meet Jesus, just as He was present to the people in Judea, when He was living as a purely human being. So, when we meet Jesus, He shows us the way and the truth. He also becomes the life for us. Jesus said, "I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly." Now, Jesus is risen, and is present in order to give life. Therefore, the more we "meet" Jesus, the more "life" we wil have, the more "truth" we will come to know, the more illumination we will get, for our life's journey. So, it is pertinent that we endeavour to meet this Risen Lord Jesus often and as many times as possible. The Risen Lord Jesus would be met, when "two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus" (Matthew 18:20). He could be met, in the lonely, in those who are hungry, in those who have no clothes, in those who are in prison etc. as the Scripture tells us. The Risen Lord is united with people such as these, and shares their condition of suffering, pain, loneliness, deprivation, Himself. The Risen Lord Jesus can also be met in the Sacraments. He is present in a unique way in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Hidden in the white host, is the real flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Today's Scripture reading tells us how we can meet the Risen Lord in yet another way in and through verse 10. Today we need to go to our "Galilee" in order to meet the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Galilee, is considered a useless place, where no good can be found. Our "Galilee" is our sinful condition or the hopeless situation we are in. It is here that we meet the Risen Lord Jesus. Isn't this really "good news" to us? Prayer Starter Keep me safe O God in you I take refuge (Ps.16:1)

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

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Tuesday 29th March 2019 Acts: 2/36-41 Psalm:33/4-5, 18-20, 22 John: 20/11-18 The First Proclamation Please read Acts 2/36-41 prayerfully. Gospel Proclamation But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stopped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away. Tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” ( which means, Teacher ). Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “ I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her. Prayerful Awareness From the First Reading we learnt that after listening to the Words of St. Peter, how Jewish High Priests and Jewish authorities put to death Lord Jesus Christ, most of the Jews there, repented and obtained forgiveness of sins by Baptism.. Gospel Proclamation refers to Mary of Magdalene’s search for Lord Jesus among the dead. She was trying to locate

the dead body of Jesus, when the Risen Lord was standing beside her. What a surprise she would have received when Lord Jesus said to her “Mary” . Today, we know that the Risen Lord is with us, as Lord said, “I am with you always, until the end of the age.”( Mathew 28, 20 ). Lord Jesus is also with us through the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, whom Lord sent to be with us ( John 16, 7). But, some of us still look for Lord Jesus in lifeless material things such as wealth, lotteries, fame, political powers etc., Risen Lord is found only in spiritual acts, words or thoughts. Let us enjoy the presence of our Lord and share His Love with others in the same manner Lord Jesus Loves us. Lord Jesus Himself gave us another method to call Him to us, where He said “Where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them” (Luke 18, 20). Two disciples on the way to Emmaus talking about Lord Jesus, was joined by a third person whom the disciples later identified as Lord Jesus when the disciples invited Him for a meal ( the way Lord blessed the food - St. Luke 24, 13 -23). I once read a story where a widower living in an elders home in America, always asked for an additional chair for his room. As normally only one chair was provided per person to a room, a sister working has quietly asked the widower about this and was told that it was for Lord Jesus. And one day when the workers entered the room they found him dead, seated in one chair and resting his head on the second chair which he kept for Lord Jesus. How wonderful. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Saviour and my Lord, and You are my only Lord. Please be my Teacher, my Guide, my Light to follow You and all Your Commandments as a True follower. Grant me the Holy Spirit to know more about You and through You to know God our Loving Father, Thank You Lord, Amen

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

Wednesday 30th March 2019 three times, that you know me." (Luke: 22:33, 34) We know that when Peter was having a walking and talking relationship with Jesus, he denied three times. The First Proclamation Then we see the change that took One day Peter and John were go- place in Peter's character after the Holy ing up to the temple at the hour of Spirit came upon him, on that feast day prayer, at three o'clock in the after- of Pentecost (Acts :14....36) when the noon. And a man lame from birth was apostles and disciples were praying being carried in. People would lay him with Mary in the upper room. (Acts daily at the gate of the temple called 1:13, 14). the Beautiful gate so that he could ask Then in today's narrative, we see for alms from those entering the Peter performing a miracle. Peter says temple. When he saw Peter and John "What I do have, I give" (vs. 5) Let us about to go into the temple, he asked reflect upon these few words... Let us them for alms. Peter looked intently enter into the mind of Peter and his at him, as did John and said, "Look at experience. Yes, he is aware that us." And he fixed his attention on them, "something" valuable is in him, "someexpecting to receive something from thing" with which he can do great them. But Peter said, "I have no sil- things is within him. Yes, this "somever or gold, but what I have I give you; thing" is a power ... a person ... the in the name of Jesus Christ of Holy Spirit. He is aware of the presNazareth, stand up and walk."And he ence of the Holy Spirit within him. took him by the right hand and raised My sonship him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping I too got filled with the Holy Spirit up, he stood and began to walk, and he at my Baptism or the day I was "Chrisentered the temple with them, walk- tened". Then, I got refilled with the ing and leaping and praising God. All Holy Spirit the day I received the Sacthe people saw him walking and prais- rament of Confirmation. Am I aware of ing God. and they recognized him as the presence of the Holy Spirit within the one who used to sit and ask for me? Do I make use of Him for the glory alms at the Beautiful Gate of the of God? Or, have I packed Him up, in a temple and they were filled with won- beautiful wrapping paper and let Him der and amazement at what had hap- alone? pened to him. Prayer Starter Prayerful Awareness O give thanks to the Lord, call on A conversation Jesus had with his name, make known his deeds Peter is reported in the Gospel of St. among the people,. Sing to him, sing Luke. Thus, "Lord, I am prepared to praises to him, tell of all his wondergo to prison and to die with you." But ful works. (Ps. 105/1,2,,,,) he replied, "I tell you Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny

Acts: 3/1-10 Psalm: 105/1-9 Luke: 24/13-35

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

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Thursday 31st March 2019 Feast of St. Daniel of Murano Acts: 3/11-26 Psalm: 8/1, 4-8 Luke: 24/35-48 St. Daniel of Murano He was a German merchant. On his frequent visits to Venice he came to know and admire the Camaldolese monks at Murano. He was so enamoured by their way of life that he spent long periods of time with them. The result - he decided to live like a hermit in his own house, under their direction and donned their habit. He distributed nearly all his worldly possession in order to alleviate the misery of the Venitian poor. He was murdered by robbers in 1411. The First Proclamation Please read Acts 3/11-26 prayerfully. Prayerful Awareness Crucifixion - it is the most shameful form of capital punishment in history. The enormity of what happened on the cross is the result or what sin can do. Resurrection beyond doubt was clear proof that Jesus was and is the Lord of both life and death. Behind all these was God the Father, the power which nothing can stop. We engage ourselves in many acts of mercy, take His Word to others - preach without preaching - and in all these the power of the Risen Lord is with us. When we do all these, do we regard ourselves as the source of power or Christ as the source of power. The praise due - do we steal it from Our Lord? We have our limitations, but the Risen Lord hasn't any - no limitations to what He could do in and through us if only we remove the barriers we have placed in His path, to His activities. When we steal the praise due to Him, there can be nothing but failure, fear and frustration, Let us be in the right track and think of Him "It is no longer I who live but it is Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20) and experience His peace and power. If you were blind, then you would not be guilty; but

since you claim that you can see, this means that you are still guilty. (John 9:41) Jews perpetrated the terrible deed of crucifixion through ignorance but that is not possible any longer. There cannot be further rejection of the Risen Lord. Now that the light of the revelation of God is available - that privilege is ours. It also entails the most terrible of responsibilities. In Peter's discourse there is the note of mercy and a warning too can be seen. Attached to this is the obligation to repent - to change one's life. This change means to turn away from the old ways and make a new start. And for this change there is the helper, teacher and friend in the Holy Spirit. He can make wonders in and through us provided we let Him have His way freely. "Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door... (Revelation 3:20) In the Gospel reading we have Jesus appearing to His disciples. "Though the doors were shut, suddenly in the midst of them appeared the Risen Lord, greeting them with the words: "Peace be with you" (Luke 24:36) He bade the women at the grave, who were plunged in grief, to rejoice; but now, having brought about peace by the Blood of the r, He came in His own person to bestow it. Peace is the fruit of justice. Only when the injustice of sin against God had been requited could there be an affirmation of true peace. Peace is the tranquility of order, not tranquility alone; for robbers can be tranquil in the possession of their spoils. Peace also implies order, the subordination of the body to the soul, of the senses to reason, and of the creature to the Creator. Isaiah said there was no peace to the wicked because they are at enmity with themselves, with one another and with God. (Archbishop F.J.Sheen). Prayer Starter Help us to have and to enjoy the peace only You can give us. Amen.

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

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

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

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THE COVER STORY

Jesus Christ our Lord had a separate inner life of His own which was unique. He became a human being like unto us through His act of emptying the divine majesty and the glorious power that was rightfully His own. Thus He became truly the “Face of God’s mercy” “MISERICORDIAE VULTUS”. The secret of this reality becoming evident through Jesus now an ordinary man was the intimate relationship He had with God His Father. The Holy Spirit led Him to encounter the Father in and through each and every happening He faced. Therefore there is nothing other than the inner life of Jesus that we could take as an example for our lives. I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME (John 14:6)

Walk in the Spirit - March 2016

ISSN 1391-5967

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