Walk In the Spirit November 2016

WALK IN THE SPIRIT November 2016 Volume 11 Issue 15

"The Lord is with you. Be awake"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER November 2016

Love, the genuine brand as revealed

by Jesus leads us to death and eventually to conquer it. Love is linked with death.

Where there is Love there is death. It can be shattering to be told that ongoing Love leads to ongoing death. It is re-assuring to know that death is conquered by that very Love.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Tuesday 1st November 2016

Revelation:7/2-4, 9-14 Psalm:24/1-6 1 John: 3/1-3 Matthew:5/1-12 The Second Proclamation See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Prayerful Awareness

All Saints ETERNAL LIFE, and He encourages us to ask Him for WHATEVER we need.

The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ.

This will not be complete until we see Him (CHRIST) face to face, but knowing that it is OUR ULTIMATE DESTINY should motivate us to purify ourselves. To purify means to keep MORALLY STRAIGHT, free from the corruption of sin. God also purifies us, but there is action we must take to remain morally fit.

God's ultimate goal for us is to make us LIKE CHRIST. As we become more and more like Him, we discover our TRUE selves, the persons we were created to be. How can we be conformed to Christ's likeness?

By READING and HEEDING the WORD, by studying HIS LIFE on earth through the Gospels, by being filled with HIS SPIRIT and by doing His work in the world.

Jesus was human, born of a woman, as a Jew. He was subject to God's Law and fulfilled it PERFECTLY. Although He was fully HUMAN, He never sinned. His death brought FREEDOM for us, enslaved in sin, so that we could be ADOPTED to God's family. The adopted person gains all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family.

Now we know who we are, and that we must grow to resemble God, have victory over sin, love others and have confidence before God. Prayer Starter

This letter was written by the Apostle John to all believers everywhere to reassure Christians in their faith and to counter false teachings. John is the apostle of LOVE, and 'Love' is mentioned throughout this letter. John used brief statements, simple words and he features sharp contrast - light and darkness, truth and error, God and Satan, life and death, love and hate.

As believers, our self-worth is based on the fact that GOD LOVES us and calls US His children. We are His children NOW. NOT just sometime in the DISTANT FUTURE. Knowing that WE are HIS CHILDREN should encourage us to live as Jesus did.

Romans 8/14-17 says that we are no longer CRINGING and FEARFUL SLAVES, instead, we are the MASTER'S children. What a priviledge!

Because we are God's children, we Dear God, Abba Father, thank You share in great treasures as co-heirs. for encouraging us through Your Word God has already given us His best to keep living for You. Gifts, HIS SON, FORGIVENESS and

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Wednesday 2nd November 2016 Isaiah:25/6-9 Psalm: 23/1-6 Romans:5/5-11 Luke: 7/11-17 Gospel Proclamation

All Souls chance to live in eternity through the death of Christ. All those who believe that Jesus died for us will live. Like the widow, God gives us opportunities to see His love manifested in our lives as He pours out His heart in compassion.

Therefore as we partake in the liturgy today let us not only celebrate those who are faithfully departed, but also pray for those who need salvation.

Heart of God is pouring out to those who are disgraced in the society and we are awakened in the first reading today in Romans chapter 5:5 to our role as Christians, to pray for a mighty revival and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to our churches. Spirit of the Lord who enables us to take the message of love to those who are abandoned, and disgraced in the society, is always with us consoling us, and guiding us and keeping us within His fold reminding us, one day we will join in heaven those who are faithfully departed.

Prayerful Starter

Soon afterwards Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out.

The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her.

When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her, and he said to her, "Do not cry". Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, "Young man get up, I tell you".

The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They all were filled with fear and praised God. A great prophet has appeared among us, they said, "God has come to save his people".

Therefore Let us join the Psalmist Gaze at Jesus to acknowledge the mighty presence of The sovereign Lord will destroy God with us.

The Lord is my shepherd, I have death for ever. He will wipe away the tears from everyone’s eyes and take everything I need. away the disgrace His people have sufHe lets me rest in fields of green fered throughout the world. (Is 25: 8). grass and leads me to quiet pools of These words spoken by Isaiah a couple fresh water. of centuries before Lord Jesus, was He gives me new strength. He guides fulfilled by Jesus on many an occasion. me in the right paths as he has promised.

In this situation too Jesus reaches the Even if I go through the deepest widowhood, a status that was despised in the Judean society, was victimized darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord for a second time when she loses her only you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod son. There He lifts her life up to a state and staff protect me. You prepare a banof grace where God’s love pours into quet for me, where all my enemies can see me, you welcome me as an honoured her fragile life. guest and fill my cup to the brim.

Our sonship I know that your goodness and love Today as we commemorate all those will be with me all my life; and your who are faithfully departed, Church also gives us the opportunity to reflect on house will be my home as long as I live.

His compassion that gives us a second

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Thursday 3rd November 2016 Philippians:3/3-8 Psalm:105/2-7 Luke:15/1-10 Saint Martin de Porres St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. Martin was the illegitimate son to a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent. At a young age, Martin's father abandoned him, his mother and his younger sister, leaving Martin to grow up in deep poverty. After spending just two years in primary school, Martin was placed with a barber/surgeon where he would learn to cut hair and the medical arts.

As Martin grew older, he experienced a great deal of ridicule for being of mixedrace. In Peru, by law, all descendants of African or Indians were not allowed to become full members of religious orders.

Martin, who spent long hours in prayer, found his only way into the community he longed for was to ask the Dominicans of Holy Rosary Priory in Lima to accept him as a volunteer who performed the most menial tasks in the monastery. ….When Martin was 15, he asked for admission into the Dominican Convent of the Rosary in Lima and was received as a servant boy and eventually was moved up to the church officer in charge of distributing money to deserving poor……...

He passed away on November 3, 1639. By the time he died, he was widely known and accepted. Talks of his miracles in medicine and caring for the sick were everywhere. After his death, the miracles received when he was invoked was so great that when he was exhumed 25 years later, his body exhaled a splendid fragrance and he was still intact. St. Martin de Porres was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI on October 29, 1837 and canonized

by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962. He has become the patron saint of people of mixed race, innkeepers, barbers, public

St. Martin de Porres health workers and more. (Extracts from the Catholic Online website)

Prayerful Awareness

Please read today’s Proclamations and the account of the life of St. Martin de Porres meditatively.

The First Proclamation contains an oft quoted passage from St. Paul: But what were once my assets I now through Christ Jesus count as losses. Yes, I will go further: because of the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, I count everything else as loss. For him I have accepted the loss of all other things, and look on them all as filth if only I can gain Christ.

The Gospel Proclamation describes the circumstances under which the parable of the Lost Sheep was preached. Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding round our Lord Jesus Christ to listen to Him, and the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them". And the Lord completed the parable by saying ‘In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'

Most people believe they are basically good. However we are all grave sinners considering that we all fall short of doing God’s Will one hundred percent of the time and loving God above all else, and loving others as God Loves us, universally, sacrificially, in humility, and unconditionally! If we accept our utter sinfulness, repent, and ask for forgiveness, and accept our Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, there is rejoicing in heaven and we will receive the Holy Spirit, who will empower us whenever we awaken to Him and ask for help!

Song of Praise (Psalm 105:2-7) Sing to him, make music for him, recount all his wonders! Glory in his holy name, let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice! .......

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Friday 4th November 2016

St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Philippians:3/17-4/1 Psalm: 122/1-5 Luke:16/1-8 The First Proclamation Brothers and sisters join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.

For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; ..... Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.'

The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.'

Then the manager said to himself, 'what will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly and make it fifty.' Then he asked another, 'And

how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.

Gaze at Jesus In the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, we have an unlikely hero. The manager, who knows that soon he will be without a job, seeks to gain friends by reducing the debts owed by his master’s debtors. It is also likely that the shrewd manager may have dishonestly increased the amount the debtors owed, so that he can keep to himself a portion of what is owed.

But Jesus does not seem to care much that the Manager is being generous with his master’s money. Why is this so? When thinking about this, I am reminded of Mark 12: 17, in which Jesus said “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”.

For to Jesus, everything ultimately belongs to God. Therefore, what we possess has been given to us by God, to be used generously in loving God and our neighbour. Moreover, in Luke 16: 8, Jesus says “for the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light”. Money, and material wealth is certainly “our own kind”, we know how to make more of it and how to increase its potential. But “as people of light” we need to be more shrewd with our own kind such as love and forgiveness. How, to pardon those that owe us much, so that we can earn a place in heaven.

Prayer Starter I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!"

(Ps:122/1...)

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Saturday 5th November 2016

Philippians:4/10-19 Psalm:112/1-2,5-6, 8-9 Luke: 16/9-15 St. Bertilla She was born into an illustrious family in Soissons (France). She grew up witnessing social irregularities, injustice and deceptions. An inner urge built up in her and she sought to renounce all these. She was aptly helped by the Bishop of Roven who advised her to pray for perseverance.

Her parents rightly did not oppose her but sent her to a monastery near Meaux.

She was trained in the strictest practices of monastic perfection. She became the friend of everyone and was soon chosen prioress to assist the abbess. Her life of humility and submission attracted a number of foreign vocations. Two widowed queens joined her Order. She died in 692.

The Gospel Proclamation And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

'Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. ...... No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God. Gazed on Jesus When the Pharisees heard all this, they sneered at Jesus, because they loved money. Jesus said to them, "You are the ones who make yourselves look right in other people's sight, but God knows your hearts. For the things that are considered

Feast of St. Bertilla, Virgin of great value by man are worth nothing in God's sight."

Prayerful Awareness Here Jesus speaks of our attitude towards material possessions. These help us to make friendships stronger and it is here that the permanent and real value of life lies. In a subtle way it affects eternal life. The poor, with various daily needs, are not a liability but an asset as they help the rich to use their possessions as a means to attain eternal life; to make not just houses but mansions. Storing wealth is out of the question. Possessions wooed here are lost but possessions shared or distributed are saved. God has placed wealth at our disposal to make not only our lives comfortable but also to make others' lives comfortable. A sharing life is the goal. True wealth would consist in what was given away and not in what is hoarded or kept back. Many a scholarship holder is grateful to a rich benefactor who makes his studies possible. The way one is faithful to fulfilling a small task is the yardstick used to determine the fitness or the unfitness to be entrusted with a bigger task. This principle is extended to eternity

by Jesus. The things we have here on earth are not really ours. When we die we cannot take them with us. They are only lent to us. The nature of temporal things is that they wear, tear and decay. God is the sole owner. In heaven only we get what is real and eternal. The way we use things here on earth really decides what we get in heaven.

A Tale When the chauffeur died he was taken to heaven and St. Peter showed him his reward - a mansion. Later the landlady died. St. Peter showed her that mansion and then the small house for her. She objected but was told, "This is what we could build for you with the things you sent us when you were living."

Prayer Starter Help us to serve Thee as Your true sons and daughters. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Sunday 6th November 2016 2 Maccabees:7/1-2, 9-14 Psalm: 17/1,5-6,8-15 2 Thessalonians:2/163/5 Luke:20/27-38 OR 20/27, 34-38

Introduction Physical death is certainly not the end of our biological life. Nothing actually dies in our Universe.

When we boil some water, it will not disappear or get destroyed, it will simply become vaporous. When we burn a piece of wood, it will not totally disappear, but be dissolved into carbon and other elemental substances.

Total destruction of anything is an impossibility in the Universe but only transformation. Nothing gets totally destroyed. One thing is transformed into another. Absolutely nothing dies in the Universe.

So when we die, that is not the end of our life.

Death is not an end but a new beginning, a new starter, a new stage in life. Despite death, life goes on.

Actually, nobody dies. Everybody enters into a new phase in life.

We are intrinsically created for immortality, for heavenly bliss, for celestial contentment. Not to live for heaven is not to live at all. Physical death transforms our life into a spiritual birth. Death facilitates birth. In order to be born again, born anew,

we have to die to our old selves. Our fear of death keeps us from living too. Fear of death stems from lack of faith in God. True courage comes from faith in God. The one who lives in God never dies and lives eternally.

One aspect of resurrection is to live forever in God, so not even death can separate us from Him. The First Proclamation It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and thongs, to partake of unlawful swine's flesh. One of them, acting as their spokesman, said, 'What do you intend to ask and learn from us? for we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors."

And when he was at his last breath, he said, "You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws.'

After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands, and said nobly, "I got these from heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again." As a result the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man's spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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After he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way. When he was near death, he said, "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of mortals and to cherish the hope God gives or being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!"

The Gospel Proclamation Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question.

"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother ......

Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to him all of them are alive.

The Second Proclamation Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts

and strengthen them in every good work and word. Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Gaze at Jesus Jesus has the mind of God the Father through and through. What Jesus reveals is the Will and Truth of the Creator of the Universe. The resurrection of the dead is not a fantasy or wishful thinking but a literal truth We must continue to own what Jesus says about the imortality of life. True life is eternal and God has imprinted His own eternity into human life. By living our earthly life well, we make preparation for our eternal life, our heavenly life. Then we begin to live forever in Him. Prayer Starter O God, You who have prepared for them that love You, such good things that pass understanding, pour into our hearts such love towards You, that we, lovingYou in all things and above all things, may obtain Your promises which exceed all that we can desire. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Monday 7th November 2016

Let’s begin with St. Paul’s assertion that, ‘The final goal at which this instruction aims is love, issuing from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith.’ This is exactly what we seem to be incapable of grasping. Our The First Proclamation habitual mental structures – the thought Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus ap- patterns we habituate, place so many pointed by the command of God our conditions for us to experience that ‘We Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, are Okay’. God, the Creator, our beloved to Timothy, true child of mine in the Father seems intent on conveying to us faith. Grace, mercy and peace from that ‘we are blessed’, that ‘we are S/ God the Father and from Christ Jesus His beloved children’, but, we certainly our Lord. When I was setting out for do not grasp this. We constantly battle Macedonia I urged you to stay on in / rebel against ‘What Is’, choosing Ephesus to instruct certain people (mostly sub-consciously) to be ‘NOT not to spread wrong teaching or to OKAY’, and then trying to impose our give attention to myths and unending own dreams on what comes abreast of genealogies; these things only foster us so that ‘we could be okay’. And we doubts instead of furthering God's constantly try to sway ‘The Other’ to plan which is founded on faith. The our own ways of thinking too. Take a final goal at which this instruction look at most of the advertisements aired aims is love, issuing from a pure heart, today; implying ‘You are NOT okay’ and a clear conscience and a sincere faith. promising that the product or service Some people have missed the way being promoted will ‘make you okay’. to these things and turned to empty Wouldn’t it be correct to say that we too, speculation, trying to be teachers of use this same technique in our own daily the Law; but they understand neither manipulations of the other? the words they use nor the matters In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks about which they make such strong of the call to ‘not lead others astray’! assertions. We are well aware that Are we consciously abiding there-by? the Law is good, but only provided Seek the answer within, being honest it is used legitimately, on the under- to yourself... standing that laws are not framed Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “I for people who are upright. On the would not give a fig for the simplicity contrary, they are for criminals and the insubordinate, for the irreligious this side of complexity, but I would give and the wicked, for the sacrilegious my life for the simplicity on the other and the godless; they are for people side of complexity”. Can we get back to who kill their fathers or mothers and the simplicity of ‘Being Okay’ as we are, and from that foundation turn to the Lord for murderers, who works at growing / evolving us in Fix your gaze on Jesus to an experience of the Power, Beauty The Living Word is clear, O Holy and awesomeness vested in each of us?

Prayer Starter Spirit of God; we’re done/are doing and will do great damage to ourselves in Come O Spirit of God, illuminate having admitted error in to our beliefs.... my heart’s true desires, correct me as please help us undo...

You Will...

Titus: 1/1-9 Psalm: 24/1-6 Luke: 17/1-6

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Tuesday 8th November 2016 Titus:2/1-8, 11-14 Psalm: 37/3-4,18,23, 26-27,29 Luke: 17/7-10 The Gospel Proclamation "Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here at once and take your place at the table"?

Would you not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?

So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves, we have done only what we ought to have done!'

Prayerful Awareness Christ came to this earth to implement fully God's mission which has been entrusted to Him. Although He is the Son of God, He had to be a servant showing unconditional and selfless love towards all mankind.

Jesus expected the same lifestyle from His community. He exhibited for all, this humility by washing the feet of the twelve apostles. Through this Gospel proclamation, Jesus made them understand the values of humility, obedience, being always ready for work and not expecting any reward.

Once Jesus said, "I came to serve and not to be served."

Do we examine our lives and see if our deeds tell the truth of our words - that we are the servants of the Lord?

Are we willing and grateful servants working for the Kingdom of God,

planting the seed of the Word, harvesting the bread for all and making sure that the communities/Nations of the world are gathered as one? Or are we even more useless than the servants in the Gospel who do all that they have been commanded to do, and still have far to go in being of use to God? In our society we are accustomed to receive awards and earn a good name for the work that we discharge.

The sense of duty is diminishing. Here the Lord presents another mind and practice that will lead us to the final true prize. Think of the strenuous work of Paul who told believers not to be a charge for the people to whom he was practising the Gospel. For him to evangelize was an order received from the Lord. He fulfilled it in a strict way. The award he was looking for was really the 'table of the Lord' in the other life for ever.

Where do I stand? How do I discharge my duties in the building up of the Kingdom of God? Do I think of it as a sacred duty without being compelled by anyone? Do I express my praise and worship which is God's due? What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express, in the gift of self giving. Do I love others selflessly and unconditionally? So let us ask God to direct us to love one another so that He will abide in us and His love perfected in us.

Prayer Starter Lord, help us to serve our neighbour voluntarily as a sacred duty.

Help us to offer our lives generously and selflessly. Fill our hearts with the boundless love that gives what is good for the sake of others as You have shown us in Your lifetime. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Wednesday 9th November 2016

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Ezekiel:47/1-12 OR 1 Corinthians:3/9-17 Psalm: 46/2-3, 5-6, 8-9 John: 2/13-22

Jesus acts in the way He does when He sees the exact opposite of what He expected happening. When challenged to prove His authority for what He did, He challenges them in return to destroy His Body which He sees as the temple of God His Abba saying that He will raise it up in three days. Jesus was so filled in His whole being with the presence of His Abba that He even as true Man felt the power that even death will not be able to withstand. Jesus would have been aware of the Holiness of God in the whole of His body. It was holy and set apart to serve God and to glorify Him. It belonged to God to do what ever He wills with it. Even to the extent of permitting it to be scourged, crowned with thorns and nailed to the cross.

Prayerful Awareness

The Gospel Proclamation The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, as well as the money-changers seated at their tables.

Making a whip out of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a market-place!" His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?' But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Gaze at Jesus For the Jews the temple was the place where God dwelt. Therefore there was no place for commercial activity, like bargaining, buying and selling, money changing and wrangling in the Temple. Rather it was meant to be a place of encountering God, paying Him homage, praying and worshipping Him. It was a place of meeting others in brotherhood, with a sharing heart of compassion and unity. No wonder that

We too have been given or rather been gifted a body by the same God who through His Son has been called to be His adopted sons and daughters. Let us become aware of our body as a gift of God given to us that we may glorify Him. Through the sacrament of Baptism we are the recipients of the Holy Spirit of God who dwells within us unconditionally. Therefore we too are the temple of the Living God. Through His death and resurrection Jesus not only reconciles us with God, but He fills us with His Holy Spirit and make us temples of the living God (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Prayer Starter God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved, God will help it when the morning dawns... (Ps.46/1-3, 5....)

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrñ' ud l< hq;= l=ula±hs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Thursday 10th November 2016 Philomen:1/7-20 Psalm: 146/7-10 Luke:17/20-25 Gospel Proclamation Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, he gave them this answer, 'The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, "Look, it is here! Look, it is there!" For look, the kingdom of God is among you.'

He said to the disciples, 'A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man and will not see it. They will say to you, "Look, it is there!" or, "Look, it is here!" Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when his Day comes. .....

Prayerful Awareness

Let us enter into contemplative prayer on today’s Proclamations which are about the attributes of the Kingdom of God. Kingdom denotes an area of jurisdiction, and God’s Kingdom is where the people will be operating according to God’s Will. Our Lord Jesus Christ explains God’s Kingdom has to come in two phases, first in a limited, personal, and voluntary way, at His first coming, and then in an authoritative manner at the Second Coming, full of glory and power, where He will establish His Kingdom forever, overcoming all opposition to it with force! But first He is destined to suffer grievously, whereby through His sacrificial death He pays the price for mankind’s collective sin and thereby redeems mankind from certain death (which is a consequence of man’s original sin of pride/ego) by releasing His Holy Spirit.

St. Leo the Great

In Romans 8:14, St. Paul tells us: ‘those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children’. That is they willingly come under God’s jurisdiction of Love, and are willing to follow His guidelines /to do His Will. God is Love (1 John 4:721) and God’s Will is that we love one another as He loves us.

It is not easy to Love the way God expects us to love one another, but we are enabled to do the seemingly impossible with the power of God’s Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17). It is also not achieved by fiat, but is a slow and steady process of being moulded to be like Jesus, by giving up our pride/ego and be guided always by principles of Agape Love. Also, when we love others, we are compelled to share the gift of salvation with as many others as possible, and we become missionaries for our Lord Jesus Christ to propagate God’s Kingdom on earth. In order to accomplish this goal believers are empowered with the gifts (1 Corinthians, 12: 1-11) and fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians, 5:22-25).

Operation of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believers is described in the First Proclamation, where Saint Paul has treated Onesimus, a former slave, as a very dear friend, and is now returning him to his former owner, entreating him also to receive the former slave in similar manner. And so, while we await the establishment of the Kingdom of God at the end of times, we enlightened Christians are expected to propagate God’s Kingdom in the world by being the salt and yeast, representing what the Kingdom stands for, as we sing in the hymn, ‘they will know we are Christians by our Love, by our Love!’

Song of Praise (Psalm 146:7-10) ... The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous ....

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Friday 11th November 2016

St. Martin of Tours, Bishop

2 John: 4-9 Psalm: 119/1-2,10-11, 17-18 Luke:17/26-37

The First Proclamation I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. ....let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments just as you have heard it from the beginning - you must walk in it.

Many deceivers have gone into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh ... Be on your guard so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son Psalms 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18 Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.

With my whole heart I seek you, do not let me stray from your commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.

Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word. open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of

your law.

Prayerful Awareness What does it mean to seek God with your whole heart? God is holy, different, unlike anything in this world that is material. Yet, the heart is an organ of the body, a vital organ of the body whose function is to pump and move the blood around.

The heart is a physical and material substance that can be seen and felt with our senses. Yet, the locality of the heart is the place where we tend to think of as the place where love is. Where love is felt. And the place from where we give love, â&#x20AC;&#x153;from the bottom of our heartâ&#x20AC;?. Then, surely, to seek God with our whole heart, goes beyond the function of the heart. It goes to the center of who we are.

It goes to a place of deep emotion.

A place, that even scientists and psychologists cannot distinguish, the place where the brain becomes the mind, the place where oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and all the other elements of the human body come together, in just the right amount to be a human. The heart is the place where we are human. And that is the place from whence God wants us to seek Him. Prayer Starter Lord lay Thy word in my heart so that I may never forget it even if my brain withers. So that I may not sin against Thee. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may behold Thy wondrous things

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrĂą' ud l< hq;= l=ulaÂąhs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Saturday 12th November 2016 3 John: 5-8 Psalm: 111/1-6 Luke:18/1-8 St. Jesophat Kunsevich He was born in Lithuania. Though apprenticed to a merchant, he became deeply attracted to the religious life.

When he was 24 he took the habit of a Basilian monk and changed his name from John to Josephat. He was ordained priest in 1609 and handled the reform of his order and the regeneration of the clergy. Soon he became the Abbot Co-adjutor and finally at 39, Archbishop of Polak. In the constant strife between Uniates and Schismatics, he showed an indefatigable zeal for converting souls to union with Rome. His area of activity also included prisons, hospitals and in the fields. Among his converts were Patriach of Moscow and a relative of the Greek Emperor. His life was marked by austerity and mortification - frequent fasts, abstinence from meat, rigorous chastisement of the body, sleeping on the floor etc. Martyred - 12th November 1623. Beatified in 1543. Cannonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.

The First Proclamation Beloved you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, accepting no support from non-believers. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.

Prayerful Awareness John gives us the reason for writing Gaius is a member of the Church which is the destination of a group of missionaries. He urges Gaius to welcome them, support and send them on their way in a

St. Josephat, Bishop & Martyr manner worthy of a true Christian. We have examples of true Christian hospitality from the Holy Bible. When the Lord appeared to Abraham in three persons, Abraham not only welcomed them but also gave them food and lodging. (Genesis 18:1-8). 'Keep on loving one another as Christian brothers. Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without complaining. (1 Peter 4:9). If even non-Christians accept the obligation of hospitality how much more seriously should we take it. As Christians and carriers of His word, does hospitality have a place in our homes? Are we ready to extend that warm, loving welcome?

Are we selective here? Can all of us be missionaries? The daily needs, the job, routine duties - yes, these are restrictions and we cannot be travelling missionaries. How about our prayers, practical help and money? Though we cannot be in the front line of missionary work, we can support the ones there. Yes, the Church needs both.

In the Gospel proclamation we have the parable of the judge and the widow. It is important to see how the judges of that day acted. He was appointed by Herod and was notorious. Often the plaintiffs had to bribe and influence judges to get a case settled. Their title was punned by people. Though the widow was poor and defenseless and had no chance of extracting justice, the means she had was persistence. This parable does not liken God to an unjust judge but contrasts.

If what a child asks for is harmful than help, the father will refuse it. God is like that. Only God knows us fully and gives us what is better, better than what we ask for in prayer. "Thy Will be done" Let us add this to our daily prayers.

Prayer Starter "The Lord does not let us forget His wonderful actions; He is kind and merciful. (Ps.111:4) Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Sunday 13th November 2016 Malachi:4/1-2 Psalm: 98/5-9 2 Thessalonians:3/7-12 Luke:21/5-19

Introduction Witnessing to Christ is a life-long process. Each day must become a day of witnessing. To live is to witness to Christ ceaselessly, which requires a lot of courage, endurance, patience, humility and faith.

To witness to Christ is to become a person like Christ. Witnessing is self-making, self-creating. in the process of witnessing, Christ recreates you, remakes you unto His likeness. It takes another Christ to witness to Christ.

All we need to do is to trust Him totally. He will take care of you and all your needs, including the kind of words you ought to utter in times of crisis and persecution.No human crisis or situation is alien to Christ and therefore He is present and ever-active in every situation. The greater the crisis, the grater the opportunity for salvation. Every crisis in life is a spiritual opportunity; every crisis in life is a genesis.

The more crises or losses we undergo, the more spiritual opportunities we receive for our personal growth. Only Christ and Christ

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

alone has to become our only hope and life.

The First Proclamation See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

The Gospel Proclamation When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another, all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!'

Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you, they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your oppo nents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command. Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

The Second Proclamation

Prayer Starter

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in

Gaze at Jesus Since He is forever with us, we have no reason whatsoever to be afraid. All we need to do is to allow Him to operate in and through us, in order to accomplish His own plan for us.

The more we let go of our ego, the more He enters us, penetrates our whole being. When He lives in us, we truly begin to live our life.

When He ceases to live in us, we also cease to live. Christless life is a useless life, an aimless life, a meaningless life.

O Almighty and everlasting God, make us bear towards you always a devoted will, and serve Your Majesty with a sincere heart. May Your healing work, O Lord, both mercifully free us from our perversities and lead us to those things which are right and just. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Monday 14h November 2016 Revelation:1/1-5; 2/1-5 Psalm:1/1-4, 6 Luke: 18/35-43 The First Proclamation A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him so that he could tell his servants what is now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John, and John has borne witness to the Word of God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is anyone who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed those who hear them, if they treasure the content, because the Time is near. .... I know your activities, your hard work and your perseverance. I know you cannot stand wicked people, and how you put to the test those who were self-styled apostles, and found them false. I know too that you have perseverance, and have suffered for my name without growing tired. Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make: you have less love now than formerly. Think where you were before you fell; repent, and behave as you did at first, or else, if you will not repent, I shall come to you and take your lamp-stand from its place.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord, give us the hearing necessary to understand Your mind and heart for todayâ&#x20AC;Ś The book of Revelation and the whole of the Bible for that, reveal the heart and mind of Christ to us. God (Love) is revealed through Christ (Word), and all living beings relate to/ experience Him through Him. It is in allowing the Word to rule over our hearts and minds that we come to experience Love! In other words, when we are guided by the attitudes/values

/rules followed and espoused by our Lord Jesus, to the extent our hearts are disciplined by the Living Word, we will experience and remain in an experience of Love!

To Christ we owe the knowledge of what we are to expect from God, and what He expects from us. Those who search the scriptures are well employed.

It is not enough that we read and hear, but we must keep the things that are written, in our memories, in our minds, in our affections, and in practice, and we shall be blessed indeed.

Christ knows and observes the state of these churches; though in heaven, yet He walks in the midst of His churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they want. It is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience. And though we must show all meekness to all men, yet we must show just zeal against their sins.

The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared. Christ is displeased with His people, when He sees them grow remiss and cold toward Him. To what extent does this reflect on usâ&#x20AC;Ś.?

We must endeavour to recover our first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when we first set out in the ways of God. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we shall have a glorious triumph and reward.

Prayer Starter Thank You Lord for Your beneficence; we are indeed blessed in Your mercies.....teach us to be obedient even as You were, to stay in love as You did...

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrñ' ud l< hq;= l=ula±hs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Tuesday 15th November 2016 St. Albert the Great, Bishop & Doctor Revelation:3/1-6,14-22 Psalm: 15/1-5 Luke:19/1-10 Gospel Proclamation Jesus went on into Jericho and was passing through. There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was a little man and could not see Jesus because of the crowd. So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycomore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to Zacchaeus, Hurry down. Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed him with great joy. All the people who saw it started grumbling, this man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner. Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, Listen sir! I will give half of my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much. Jesus said to him, Salvation has come to this house today, for this man, also is a descendant of Abraham. The son of man came to seek and to save the lost.

Gaze at Jesus Let us reflect on Jesus saying “The son of man came to seek and to save the lost”. Jesus undertook travel to Jerricho. Purpose of His journeys was to seek out the lost and call them to the fold. In His mission He did not stay stationed in one place, but traveled far and wide, so that many could meet Him and receive salvation.

Our sonship Zacchaeus who had heard about Jesus desired to meet Jesus. He takes steps to meet Jesus by climbing the sycamore

tree. To encounter Jesus Zacchaeus was willing to challenge his own comfortable zones. First his height, there Jesus reaches out to him by walking to where he is. Then Zacchaeus sees his second iniquity, that is, his sinful practices in overcharging taxes which hurt the poor.

He realizes his spiritual poverty. Jesus reaching out to him again blesses him with salvation because he repented.

Today’s first reading in Revelations consisting of messages to two churches out of the seven, one to Sardis and other to Laodicea are known to be the end time revelations to the seven churches.

Their writer calls the people to wake up and turn from sin and not to be lukewarm. In a complacent situation people are not mindful of their spiritual status, but content in their own comfort zone.

Therefore love of Jesus reaches out to us daily when we are aware, calls us not to be warm, but be totally heated up about the mystery of salvation that He personally delivers to each one of us.

Prayerful Awareness (Ps 14: 2-5) The Lord looks down from heaven at human beings to see if there are any who are wise, any who worship Him, but they have all gone wrong, they are all equally bad. Not one of them does what is right, not a single one.

Don’t they know? Ask the Lord. Are all these evil doers ignorant? They live by robbing my people, and they never pray to me.

But then they will be terrified, for God is with those who obey Him. Prayer Starter Dear Lord, help us to completely accept our sinful ways. Guide us to listen to what the Spirit of God tells the churches and receive Jesus the Redeemer. (Rev 3: 22)

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Wednesday 16th November 2016 St.Margaret of Scotland, St.Gertrude, Virgin Revelation:4/1-11 will tell you what kind of gifts you are enriched with. If you are blessed Psalm:150/1-6 with the gift of healing and you are Luke: 19/11-28 not practicing it, God will take it away and give to another, who is practising The Gospel Proclamation it. If we do use it, often we too will get ... "A nobleman went to a distant healed greatly. At His Second Coming country .... He summoned ten of his in glory He will judge us according to slaves, and gave them ten pounds, the manner we live on this earth. and said to them, 'Do business with Some have been blessed with these until I come back.' .... When he preaching, praying for others, healing returned, ... he ordered these slaves the sick, speak in tongues. All these are .... to be summoned .... The first .... not alike but are equally important. His said, 'Lord your pound has made intension is that these talents will grow ten more pounds."...'Well done, good more and more to build up a perfect slave! ... take charge of ten cities.' place to live in.

Then the second....'Lord, your pound Jesus describes the servants who did has made five pounds."... Then the other... 'Lord, here is your pound. I their master's will, as faithful. Why is wrapped it up in a piece of cloth for this word important to us today? It is I was afraid of you, because you are because unfaithfulness has pervaded a harsh man, .... He said to him, "I our society. Faithfulness on the conwill judge you by your own words, trary demands courage, sacrifice and you wicked slave!... Why then did you risk taking. Only the convinced can not put my money in to the bank?.... take this risk as we see in the faithful He said to the bystanders, 'Take the servants of today's Gospel. The reward pound from him and give it to the for being worthy is more trust and the one who has ten pounds.'... 'I tell Master's approval, the punishment for you to all those who have, more will unfaithfulness, which Jesus described be given but from those who have as wickedness, is a loss of the Master's nothing, even what they have will be favours and damnation.

How many times have I urged and taken away...... developed the gifts given by Father Prayerful Awareness God and thereby glorified Him? How This parable insists on God's jus- many times have I hidden them without tice, everyone receives according to any use? How many times have I been his merit. silent in the face of injustice as though At birth Father God had blessed unseen and unheard? Have I prayed us with a lot of talents to make this for myself alone without praying for creation perfect and the people live others? happily. Have you discovered what kind Prayer Starter of talents you are blessed with? If you Lord have mercy on me. Help me to have not yet, explore with the help of the Holy Spirit and make use of them use all the talents You have given me to build up the Kingdom of God and without hiding them. Holy Spirit fill me to the greater glory of God. Perhaps, with Your graces so that I will not be deAmen. according to your nature, your friends stroyed at the end of judgement.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrĂą' ud l< hq;= l=ulaÂąhs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Thursday 17th November 2016 Revelation:5/1-10 Psalm:149/1-6, 9 Luke: 19/41-44 The First Proclamation Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"

And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. ....Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep.

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." ....

The Gospel Proclamation

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side.

They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you and they will not leave within you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. Prayerful Awareness As they approached Jerusalem from Jericho (19:10) Jesus and the disciples came to the village of Bethany and Bethpage, stayed on the eastern slope of the mountain of Olives, only a few miles outside Jerusalem. Jesus stayed in Bethany during the nights of that last week, entering Jerusalem

St. Elizabeth of Hungary during the day.

The Jewish leaders had rejected their KING. Who were the "leaders among the people"? This group probably included wealthy leaders in POLITICS, COMMERCE and LAW. They had many reasons for wanting to get rid of Jesus. He had DAMAGED business in the TEMPLE driving the merchants out. He was also preaching against INJUSTICE and His teachings favoured the POOR over the rich. His great POPULARITY was a danger of attracting ROME's attention and the leaders of Israel wanted as little as possible to do with Rome.

They had REFUSED God's offer of salvation in Jesus Christ when they were visited by God Himself and soon their nation would suffer. God did not turn away from the Jewish people who OBEYED Him. He continues to offer salvation to the people. He loves, both Jews and Gentiles. Eternal life is within our reach - accept while the opportunity is STILL offered.

About 40 years after Jesus said these words, they came TRUE. In A.D 66 the Jews revolted against Roman control. Three years later Titus, son of the Emperor was sent to crush the rebellion. Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem and broke through the Northern wall but still could not take the city. Finally they laid siege to it (surrounded and blocked). In A.D 70 they entered the severely WEAKENED city and BURNT it. Thousands of Jews were killed during the onslaught. Jesus' prediction came right.

Prayer Starter Lord, we cannot see the path ahead, help us to trust You. Please encourage us, teach us, as we let You direct our lives, to grow in faith and maturity.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Friday 18th November 2016 Revelation:10/8-11 Psalm: 119/14,24,72, 103, 111, 131 Luke: 19/45-48 OR Acts:28/11-16,30-31 Psalm:98/1-6 Matthew: 14/22-33 Introduction As we reflect upon the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul, we come to realize God’s providence for those who are faithful to Him. The Gospel Proclamation … Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water. .... “It’s a ghost!” .... Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”

Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.” “Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat ...

But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid ... “Save me, Lord!” he cried. ... “How little faith you have!

Why did you doubt?” ...“Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Prayerful Awareness In the first proclamation, we join St. Paul on his journey from Malta to Rome.

This particular passage depicts Paul’s movements in an effortless way. It belies the nature of Paul’s arrival on Malta as a survivor of a shipwreck in the previous chapter. From the shipwreck to his arrival in Rome, Paul’s journey is shaped by opportunity: a pagan ship, favourable south winds, and the hospitality of welcoming believers he meets along the way. This passage highlights that Paul did not go to Rome by his own strength, but was led there by God’s providence.

In the gospel proclamation, we see Peter and an example of his struggle to

Dediction of the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul reconcile his faith in the Lord with his own personal weaknesses; a struggle which may not be that unfamiliar.

When Jesus comes to the disciples’ boat, walking on water, the disciples scream with fear. In some ways, Peter can be appreciated for being the only disciple to respond to Jesus’ command to take courage. Stepping out of the boat onto the water is a leap of faith. For as long as Peter keeps his gaze on Jesus, he is able to do the impossible.

When Peter starts to sink, it is not that he doubted Jesus. However, by focusing on the practicalities of the situation or the lack thereof, his fear overtakes his faith.

He is no longer focused on what Jesus can do, but what he can do. When he starts to sink, he remembers Jesus again. He cries, “Save me, Lord!” This time, Jesus grabs hold of him and takes him to the safety of the boat.

Fix your gaze on Jesus We too, despite our best intentions, become preoccupied with our own sensibilities as we navigate life and its storms. It is when we take leaps of faith that we experience the breadth of God’s providence. When we gaze on Jesus, He gazes back at us and we are emboldened

by His belief in us.

Peter and Paul surrendered themselves completely to God. They are the two great apostles of Christianity.

We thank God for their faithfulness, by whom “[t]he Lord announced his victory; he made his saving power known to the nations” (Psalm 98:2) Prayer Starter All to Jesus, I surrender All to Him, I freely give I will ever love and trust him, In his presence daily live I surrender all, I surrender all, All to thee my blessed Saviour,

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrĂą' ud l< hq;= l=ulaÂąhs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Saturday 19th November 2016 Feast of St.Gregory the wonder worker, Confessor, Father of the Church

Revelation:11/4-12 Psalm:143/1-2, 9-10 Luke: 20/27-40 St. Gregory He was born in Pontus (Turkey). At 14 he joined the famous school in Beirut to study law. He abandoned thoughts of pursuing law and became a Christian, studied Philosophy and Theology and was made Bishop of Neo-Ceaserea. He assisted at the first synod of Antioch which condemned the heresies of Paul of Samosta. He stated clearly the eternity, equality and perfection of each person of the Blessed Trinity in his "Exposition of the Faith". God worked many miracles through him. He is invoked in desperate situations and against floods.

The Gospel Proclamation Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, ... asked him a question. "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; .... all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.

Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage. .... because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. ... Now he is God not of the dead,but of the living, for to him all of them are alive." ....

Prayerful Awareness Here we have Sadducees coming up

with the law of marriage dealing with begetting children to carry on the line.

The whole question lies in the idea that tries to think of heaven in terms of this world. In Jesus' reply to the question, we have the truth, the valid and permanent one. Life in heaven will be a completely different one and temporal things that rot, can be stolen or eaten by moth; have no place there. It is better not to speculate on what heaven is like. The best thing would be to leave things to the love of God which sees us through thick and thin. Jesus also tackled their unbelief in the resurrection quoting from the Book of Exodus (3:1-6). "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead." So they must be alive and is clear proof that there is resurrection. The way Jesus convinced His opponents is interesting. He used arguments that His opponents could and did understand.

It is also interesting to note the simple language He used to help the common man to understand His teaching. He has set an example for us to follow.

In the First Proclamation, we have the image - two olive trees and two lampstands; they finish their testimony; the beast conquers them and kills them and their bodies lie in the street for three and half days. But the breath of God gives them life back. History bears witness to the fact that the Church was oppressed to the verge of extinction; but it has always risen from the ashes.

Roman emperors were really mighty!

Yet they proved powerless against Christianity. The oppressors were conquered.

"I will build my Church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it." (Mt.16:18) Prayer Starter Guide me on a safe path to be a true citizen of Your Kingdom Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Sunday 20th November 2016 34th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Our

Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 2 Samuel: 5/1-3 modern British court of Elizabeth II Psalm: 122/1-5 or the court of the Sinhala kings. The thought of these monarchs invokes Colossians:1/12-20 scenes of lavish banquets, with plates Luke: 23/35-43 of gold and silver flasks. We think of absolute despotism. This is certainly Introduction not the type of king presented in toToday the final Sunday of the day’s proclamation. Jesus is compared liturgical Year we are invited to stand with David. In fact Jesus was often in the presence of Christ the King. We called the Son of David. David was as Christians are supposed to be ready one of the people. He was a shepherd for His coming in glory at any time. who was given the kingdom due to Each year one Sunday is set aside to his ability to fight the enemies of his give us an opportunity to prepare to people. As King, Jesus is one of the meet Him in all His Glorious majesty. chosen people, picked out like David The Entrance antiphon reminds to shepherd and lead the people. He us that Jesus ascends His throne, as was the one who, like David, was able to defeat the enemies of Israel, the it were, as the Lamb that was slain. forces of evil. Like David Jesus was The Lamb who was slain is worthy anointed to serve the People of God. to receive strength and divinity, wisThe Gospel Proclamation dom and power and honor: to Him be glory and power for ever.

The rulers sneered at Jesus and The First Proclamation said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the In those days, all the tribes of Christ of God.” Even the soldiers Israel came to David in Hebron jeered at him. As they approached and said: “Here we are, your bone to offer him wine they called out, and your flesh. In days past, when “If you are King of the Jews, save Saul was our king, it was you who yourself.” led the Israelites out and brought Above him there was an inscripthem back. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people tion that read, “This is the King of Israel and shall be commander of the Jews”. Now one of the criminals Israel.” When all the elders of Israel hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, came to David in Hebron, King Da- “Are you not the Christ? Save yourvid made an agreement with them self and us.” The other, however, there before the Lord, and they rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subanointed him king of Israel. ject to the same condemnation? And Prayerful Awareness indeed, we have been condemned When we hear the word “king” justly, for the sentence we received we often think of the splendor of the corresponds to our crimes, but this Russian court of Czars, or even the man has done nothing criminal.”

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Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

He replied him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Gaze at Jesus

fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Our sonship

When the soldiers jeered at Him saying, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself”, they exposed their flawed concept of a king. The kings they had seen and served were those who sacrificed their subjects to save themselves. But Jesus was King to save His subjects. We can confidently gaze at Him and plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And we can be certain that we will hear the comforting and exhilarating answer “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Second Proclamation

He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption. The forgiveness of sins. We have been called to live in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The only goal that matters, the only dream that matters is the dream of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and our participation in this Kingdom. This dream includes the purpose for our lives, the formation of a community of God’s love that makes life meaningful. The community of love includes reverence and respect for the presence of the Lord in our families in each individual in the family and in each individual in the world.

Our baptism into the life of Christ was and continues to be a bold statement to the world. Jesus is Lord and King of our lives. We dream His dreams. We share His hopes. We believe that nothing, not even death, can steal the dream of His Kingdom from us. Jesus has not given up His hope for us. We cannot give up our participation in His dream.

His dreams are our dreams. His hope is our hope. His present is our future.

Prayer Starter

Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is beOur Father in heaven, Holy be fore all things, and in him all things Your Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy hold together. He is the head of the Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be pre-eminent. For in him all the

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Monday 21st November 2016

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Zechariah:2/10-13 Psalm: Luke:1/46-55 Matthew:12/46-50 The First Proclamation Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst.

And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. ..... Be silent, all people, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

The Gospel Proclamation While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Fix your gaze on Jesus Jesus emphatically and convincingly stated "Whoever who does the will of my Father is my brother, sister, mother". In other words Jesus conveys to us that our parents on earth are only caretakers called to do the Will of God. We have been sent into the world to do God's Will. And He even once said, "As my Father has sent me I send you", thus confirming the purpose why we were born into this world.

Prayerful Awareness

side the womb of the Virgin Mary. Thus Mary is the mother of Jesus in every respect. Yet Jesus made this statement "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?

Before we look at the answer given by the Lord Jesus Himself let us briefly look at the incident of the wedding feast at Cana. (John 2/1-12) Here too it appears that Jesus was not so gentle on Mary. But let us look at the Mother's response. His mother said to the servant, "Do whatever he tells you."

The mother of Jesus knew very well that her Son was no other than the Almighty God's Son. The Lord Jesus watched from heaven this young girl of sixteen saying YES to the Will of the Father. Now Jesus, true God and true Man says "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Jesus has only one mother, Mary Most Virgin. He has only one Father.

The Almighty God. Everyone who does the Will of God are invited to be His brother and sister.

Gaze at my sonship Do I listen to the Lord and do His Will? Or am I like that man in the crowd apparently listening to the Lord, but more intent on what is going on in the world. Just to quote a modern example, there are many who come into church with their cellular phones on and when it rings disturbs the whole congregation.

Or am I like the beloved disciple who adopted the Virgin Mary as his own mother (John 19/25-27).

Prayer Starter Lord God, help me to hear Your voice clearly and do Your Will no matter what the cost.

Jesus emptied Himself of all His heavenly glory and was conceived in-

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrĂą' ud l< hq;= l=ulaÂąhs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Tuesday 22nd November 2016 Revelation:14/14-19 Psalm: 96/10-13 Luke: 21/5-11

The First Proclamation Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand! Another angel came out of the temple, ... "Use your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is fully ripe. .... .... Then another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over fire, and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle. I'll use your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe. ...

The Gospel Proclamation

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another, all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them. "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

St. Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr

Prayerful Awareness Although no one knows exactly what this temple looked like, it must have been BEAUTIFUL. Herod had helped the Jews, no doubt to stay on friendly terms with his subjects.

This temple the disciples were admiring was NOT Solomon's temple - that had been destroyed by the Babylonians in the Seventh Century, BC. This temple had been built by Ezra after the return from exile in the SIXTH century B.C., desecrated by the Selelncids in the SECOND Century B.C. reconsecrated by the MACCABEES soon afterward and ENORMOUSLY expanded by Herod the Great over a 46 year period. It was a BEAUTIFUL, IMPOSING structure with a significant history, but Jesus said that it would be COMPLETELY destroyed. This HAPPENED in A.D. 70 when the Roman army burned Jerusalem.

Jesus did NOT leave His disciples unprepared for the difficult years ahead.

He WARNED them about false messiahs, natural disasters and persecutions, but He ASSURED them that He would be WITH THEM to PROTECT them, and make HIS Kingdom known THROUGH them in the end. Jesus PROMISED that He would return in POWER and GLORY to save them. Jesus' warnings and promises to His disciples also apply to us, as we look forward to His return.

The only sure way to keep from being deceived is to focus on CHRIST and His WORDS. Let us NOT look for special signs and spend time looking at other people. Lets us look at Christ.

Prayer Starter

Thank You Jesus, for patiently waiting for more people to trust in Your promises before You return. Help us all to be patient too, and be ready for You Jesus, to come again;

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Wednesday 23rd November 2016 St. Clement 1, Pope & Martyr St. Columbanus, Abbot God created man to His own image; in Revelation:15/1-4 the divine image He created man. God Psalm: 98/1-3,7-9 has the Image of Love, Sacrificial Love, Luke:21/12-19 which God demonstrated through Lord The First Proclamation Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and amazing: seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended.

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. "Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, king of the nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? ....

Gospel Proclamation

Jesus, by giving His only Son, the Son of God as a sacrifice to save man (St. John 3:16 ). Since, we are of the same image, we too should have this Sacrificial Love in us. In Isaiah 43:7 God reminds us that, “Everyone who is named as mine, whom I created for my Glory, whom I formed and made”. God selected His people in the Old Testament from Jewish people who were taken through various trials to Raise them. In the New Testament all who accepted Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and be guided by the Holy Spirit (received at Baptism) were accepted as Children of God (Romans 8:14), to fulfill God’s vision. We should know why God created us to share His Glory with every living creature. This is where He called His people to be His witnesses in spreading His Glory for which He has granted His Grace, to be multiplied within us, and be shared with every creature.

As Christians who have joined to fulfill God’s Will it is our duty to give Him Glory in everything we do, in every word we speak and in every thought of ours. St. Augustine in his prayer life gave a special place for this through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We received God’s Grace and Holy Spirit in a special way in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation as Children of God, and are called to be Witnesses for Him and His Great Love and be ready to fulfill His Will without any reservations in the same way God Loves us.

Prayer Starter

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

God our Loving Father, I pray and By your perseverance you will secure ask You to grant Your Holy Spirit to enyour lives. able me to understand how great is Your love for me. Help me to be a living witPrayerful Awareness ness for Your Great Love and share Your When I read this Gospel passage, Love with every one by the power of Your my mind was taken back to the Word, Grace received. Thank You Father, Amen. of the Story of creation in Genesis 1:27.

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrĂą' ud l< hq;= l=ulaÂąhs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Thursday 24th November 2016 St.Andrew Dung Lac, Priest & Companions Revelation: 18/1-2, 70 A.C by the Roman armies.

21-23; 19/1-3, 9 The Scripture reading concludes Psalm:100/1-5 with Jesus' warning about the destruction of the whole world. "A great disLuke:21/20-28 tress shall be upon the earth and the wrath of God on the people. Nations The Gospel Proclamation too will bear witness to the disaster "When you see Jerusalem sur- that would come upon the people rounded by armies, then know that and the earth for all these are signs its desolation has come near. ... for your redemption is near. these are days of vengeance, as a The picture of the coming persecufulfillment of all that is written. tions and it is a cause not for worry but Woe to those who are pregnant and for great joy. When believers see these to those who are nursing infants in events happening, they will know that those days! For there will be great the return of their Messiah is near and distress on the earth and wrath they can look forward to the reign of against this people, they will fall by justice and peace. Rather than being the edge of the sword and be taken terrified by what is happening in our away as captives among all nations world, we should confidently await .. .There will be signs in the sun, the Christ's return to bring eternal happimoon and the stars and on the earth ness to the just and eternal punishment distress among nations confused by to the wicked. the roaring of the sea and the waves.

My Sonship People will faint from fear and foreToday's Scripture readings chalboding of what is coming upon the world ... Then they will see 'the Son lenge me as to how I should conduct of Man coming in a cloud' with pow- myself. Am I not aware of my sinful er and great glory. Now when these state? Jesus spent His whole life to free things begin to take place, stand up people from their bondages. What is and raise your heads, because your my contribution? Each one of us has to face the end of one's life and I know redemption is drawing near." that I have to face judgement of God. Gaze at Jesus I will decide from today to examine In this proclamation Luke records myself through the Holy Spirit and to Jesus warning that the destruction of renew myself to be obedient and to do the city and the temple of Jerusalem the Will of God. will come in the future. He says that Prayer Starter there will be distress in the land and no Make a joyful noise to the Lord, one will be spared. He warned about the false messiahs, about persecutions all the earth. Worship the Lord with and distress. The people were so proud gladness; come into his presence with that they did not listen to God's words. singing.

They harassed the prophets and put Know that the Lord is God. It is he them to death. At the end they killed that made us, and we are his; we are his the greatest prophet Jesus too. As told people, and the sheep of his pasture.

by Jesus, Jerusalem was destroyed by (Ps. 100/1-2....)

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Friday 25th November 2016

St. Catherine of Alexandria

1:15, Jesus says, "This is the time of fulfilment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the good news."

With the coming of Jesus, the King, into our world, His Kingdom has also come upon us. But, Jesus says that we The First Proclamation need to enter into this Kingdom. For this, Then I saw an angel coming down the requirement is repentance. What did from heaven, holding in his hand the Jesus mean by "kingdom"? Let us ask key to the bottomless pit and a great the Holy Spirit to lead us into the mind chain. He seized the dragon, that of Jesus. Let us reflect ... ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Jesus has said that the Kingdom of Satan, and bound him for a thousand God is within us, that the Kingdom of years, and threw him into the pit, God is like a mustard seed that grows. and locked and sealed it over him, so In this manner Jesus has tried to make that he would deceive the nations no us understand what the Kingdom of God more, until the thousand years were means by innumerable parables. From ended. After that he must be let out these does it mean that the Kingdom of for a little while.

God is not a place but rather a state? Let Then I saw thrones, and those us reflect .... seated on them were given authority And today, Jesus says "... know to judge. I also saw the souls of those that the Kingdom of God is near". who had been beheaded for their (vs.22) In the preceding paragraph, testimony to Jesus and for the word the end of the world is prophesied by of God. They had not worshiped Jesus. So here when Jesus says that the the beast or its image and had not "Kingdom of God is near", it appears received its mark on their foreheads that the culmination of God's Kingdom or their hands. They came to life and on earth has to be expected and that it is reigned with Christ a thousand years. near. The culmination could be known The Gospel Proclamation by the signs that Jesus has mentioned Then he told them a parable. and Jesus' eternal reign shall commence.

But, are we interested in the cul"Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can mination of the Kingdom which will see for yourselves and know that happen in the future or the presence of summer is already near. So also, when the Kingdom here and now which can you see these things taking place, be experienced now. you know that the kingdom of God is Prayer Starter near. Truly I tell you, this generation How lovely your dwelling O Lord will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth of hosts! will pass away but my words will not My soul yearns and pines for the pass away. courts of the Lord Prayerful Awareness My heart and flesh cry out for the living God ... (Ps. 84/2, 3 ...)

Jesus came into our world in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God. In Mark

Revelation:20/1-4, 11-21/2 Psalm: 84/2-5, 7 Luke: 21/29-33

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zzY=oaOd;auhdfKkS" uu Tnjykafiag jkaokd kuialdr lrĂą' ud l< hq;= l=ulaÂąhs ug wK l< uekjZZ

Saturday 26th November 2016 Revelation:22/1-7 Psalm: 95/1-7 Luke: 21/34-36 St. Sylvester He was born at Osimo, near Ancona. He became a canon of the cathedral.

When present one day at a funeral, he exclaimed: "I am today what this man was, and one day I shall be what he is."

This is referred to in the Collect. He immediately gave up everything, and retired into a desert where he devoted himself to penance and meditation.

Later he built at Monte Fano a church in honour of St.Benedict who advised him in a vision to found the Order of Sylvestrines, whose rule and habit he described to him. This branch of the Benedictine Order spread in a short time and already numbered twenty-five houses in Italy when its founder died in 1267, at the age of ninety. (ORDO) The Gospel Proclamation "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Prayerful Awareness Today is the last of the liturgical year - Year C. The main theme of the gospel text is an exhortation to vigilance. Jesus' preaching draws attention to the Second Coming of the Lord and we are expected to be vigilant. They say death and taxes are certain. Yes, but we got to add a third - judgement.

Feast of St. Sylvester, The way we live determines the side we will stand before the Son of Man right or left. The criterion of judgement is based mainly on the way we treat or ill-treat our neighbour. The account of our life we are expected to give to the Lord has to include how faithful we have been to the mission or how faithful we were to His cause; whether we have multiplied the talents or kept them buried. A person engrossed in temporal things has no time left and cannot think of the Second Coming of the Lord. "When He comes to judge it will not be merely the circumscribed area of the earth in which He laboured and revealed Himself; rather it will be all the nations and the empires of the world. The time of His Second Coming He knows not as man, but only as God. He will not tell it except in warning that it will be sudden, like lightning.

He came as a "Man of Sorrows", then He shall come in His glory. The attributes of His suffering humanity will be necessary for His identification. Hence, after His Resurrection, He kept the scars. With Him will be the angels, and all the nations will be divided into two classes, sheep and goats. As He divided men on earth into two classes, namely, those who hated and those who loved Him, so He would divide them then.

"I am the Good Shepherd", He said of Himself. The title He would vindicate on the last day by a separation of His flock of sheep from the goats."

(Archbishop F.J.Sheen). "Watch and pray. Watching is also associated with praying. "Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray giving thanks to God." (Col. 4/2).

Prayer Starter Help us to a prayer characterized by thanksgiving. Amen.

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Sunday 27th November 2016

Isaiah: 2/1-5 Psalm: 122/1-2, 4-9 Romans:13/11-14 Mathew: 24/37-44 Introduction We as human beings are the only creatures who are conscious of being conscious. Why? How? What does this mean? These are questions that only we as human beings ask. In our search for answers if we limit ourselves exclusively to our humanity we will end up saying that life is an absurdity. That death is the transition from “being” to “nothingness”. It is a revelation from above rather than a discovery that life has meaning, and that meaning extends beyond death. For us Christians it is the Lord Jesus Who reveals the ultimate meaning of life and saves us from the apparent absurdity of “modern” life.

Advent is the time we eagerly await His coming. We sing/recite the Entrance Antiphon reiterating our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who is alive to fill the void within us seeking meaning.

To you my God, I lift my soul, I trust in you. Let me never come to shame. Do not let my enemies laugh at me. No one who waits for you is ever put to shame.

The First Proclamation This is what Isaiah, son of Amos, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob. That he

First Sunday in Advent may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train forward again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!”

Prayerful Awareness Isaiah is sent by God to His chosen people at a time when they allowed themselves to fall into moral corruption and their rulers were making alliances with pagan kings to guarantee their safety. In effect they had forgotten Yahweh their Lord who had knit them into a people by giving them laws to live by and assured them of His protection. The result being that the whole nation was facing disaster and were looking for salvation. In this backdrop Isaiah presents the sovereign plan of Yahweh to save them .Yahweh promises to establish His house or His PRESENCE right there amongst them so that they could come to Him for consolation, wisdom and guidance. Jesus as the True Man who though being sinless became the sin of the whole people of God heeds the invitation of the prophet on their behalf to “come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob. That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” Jesus our Lord climbed the mountain to the house of the God of Jacob, in order to be in His presence to be instructed in His ways, and that

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He may walk in His paths.

The Gospel Proclamation For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.

They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this; if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

Gaze at Jesus

the same. And His life on earth was part of that journey. For Jesus there was no life apart from God and His plan for Him “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18/37). Let us implore the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to gaze at Jesus who though He as true Man lived in this world, He thought of, dreamed of, talked about, worked for and belonged to the “WORLD” of His ABBA. The Second Proclamation

And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness (and) put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day; not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

It is so easy to get lost in the conOur sonship cerns of our daily lives that we forget that the end of life as we know it can As true children of God privileged come to an end at a moment that we to be led by the Holy Spirit let us thirst least expect. When it comes all that we to see the light as Jesus saw, desire to feel are of importance fade into insig- seek and do the Will of God as Jesus nificance. Let us gaze at our Lord who did, be happy and at peace in the realiexhorts us: “Therefore, stay awake! zation that we know who we are, where For you do not know on which day we came from and where we are going. your Lord will come” The Holy Spirit Prayer Starter is bringing to my memory what Jesus Lord Holy Spirit, keep us constantsaid once to His disciples. “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testi- ly awake and ready to welcome the mony can be verified, because I know moment when faith and hope will be where I came from and where I am redundant and we will see, hear and going. But you do not know where I experience in all its splendor the day come from or where I am going.” For of the Lord.

JESUS THE TRUE MAN life on earth was preceded by the life He enjoyed with God His Father without beginning and was going to be followed by

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Monday 28th November 2016 Isaiah: 4/2-6 Psalm: 122/1-2, 4-9 Matthew:8/5-11 The Gospel Proclamation When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion answered, "Lord I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me, and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go, let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Let us turn now, and come to the Lord. Holy Spirit of God, turn us anew…..

The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians help and strengthen one another, and support one another. It is God who teaches His people, by His word and Spirit. Christ

promotes peace, as well as holiness.

If all men were real Christians, there could be no war; but that, is yet to be, as we fragment in the name of the very religion that is to unite us! The Prince of this World, the Liar has all of us in his grasp still.

Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace brought to us by the Prince of Peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those who wish to please themselves with ‘Strangers to God’, are in danger; for we soon learn to follow the ways of persons whose company we keep.

It is not the having of silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but the reliance on them for solace, and for the buttressing of our feeling of worthiness; the belief that possession of wealth provides for our innermost needs. The truth remains that the choice to ‘Be Okay’, to ‘Be a Beloved Son’ rests not on externals, but on your abiding in the Living Word. Look to Jesus and learn this well! Beware; the love of riches is evil. Though the lands called Christian are not full of graven idols in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches? And in this idolizing of material riches, are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, His truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised Prayer Starter Let us look at the centurion in the Gospel today, who knew power, the source and the flowing thereof, and of obedience. Let us come to recognize the role of the Living Word in our lives…..

Jesus Lord, the Word-Power-Love of God, come within, and create anew….

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Tuesday 29th November 2016 Isaiah: 11/1-10 Psalm: 72/1-2,7-8,

12-13, 17 Luke: 10/21-24 The First Proclamation

tament, it is apparent that Jesus was very familiar with the Old Testament.

And as He awoke to these verses of prophet Isaiah, they would have had a great impact in His consciousness and would have played a key role in His journey of discovering His true identity. As we enter into the mind of Jesus through the words of Luke 10:23, 24, it appears that Jesus the Man has come to the awareness that He is in fact the Messiah, whom the Israeli people were looking forward to.

Let us continue to gaze at Jesus as presented to us in the New Testament Gospels. It is evident, judging by the way He spoke to the Pharisees and scribes, the way He taught His disciples, the wisdom He exhibited in telling parables, the obedience He showed His Heavenly Father, the genealogy given in Matthew 1/1-16, etc. that this person Jesus, fits into the description given in verses 1-4. God has revealed Jesus, through prophet Isaiah 700 years before His birth!

And Jesus, the incarnated Second Person of the Holy Trinity came to this world to reveal the "Good News" of the presence of God's Kingdom on earth. (Mark 1:15). At His birth, the angels said, "Peace to men of good will" - and this "peace" is revealed symbolically by verses 6-8.

Do I experience the "Kingdom of God" in my own life? Have I come to really experience my true identity as a "son of God" or are there more terms in my intellect? Let me reflect....

Prayer Starter

From the stump of Jesse a shoot will come forth; from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him - a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of power, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord that he may rule in the fear of the Lord. Not by appearance will he judge, not by what is said must he decide, but with justice he will judge the poor and with righteousness decide for the meek.

Like a rod, his word will strike the oppressor and the breath of his lips slay the wicked. Justice will be the girdle of his waist, truth the girdle of his loins. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will take rest with the kid, the calf and the lion cub will feed together and a little child will lead them. Befriending each other, the cow and the bear will see their young ones lie down together. Like cattle, the lion will eat hay. By the cobra's den the infant will play, into the viper's lair the child will put his hand. No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain, for as water fills the sea the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. On that day the Root of Jesse will be raised as a signal for the nations.

The people will come in search of him, thus making his dwelling place May the Name of Jesus be blessed glorious. forever; as long as the sun may His Prayerful Awareness Name endure .... (Ps;72/17) As we read through the New Tes-

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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Wednesday 30th November 2016 Romans:10/9-18 Psalm: 19/1-3 Matthew: 4/18-22 The First Proclamation Because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." .... For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.".....

Gospel Proclamation As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea: they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him. Prayerful Awareness Lord Jesus was walking by the inland sea of Galilee when He called the fishermen Peter and his brother Andrew and said I will make you fishers of men. Then He called two more fishermen James and his brother John. I am sure Lord Jesus must have prayed to Father God before calling these fishermen to come and join Him, and Father would have granted His Spirit (Acts 10:38), to give the power and the words to call them, for them to immediately decide and agree to follow Lord. It is said that Father grants His

St. Andrew, Apostle Holy Spirit to us when we pray (St. Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus sent to us from God the Father ( St. John 14: 15 - 31). The Holy Spirit we received in a very special way in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, to be with us always and educate us on what we should do and what we should not do as long as we obey Him. God the Father was always with His Son Jesus Christ. In the same manner God promised us that He is with us for ever and that He will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). His Spirit is always with us as life giving Spirit ( St. John 6: 63). For the praise and Glory of Lord, I wish to share an experience. I had to visit an outstation branch office of the institution I worked, with our architect (a non Christian ) and another officer (a non Catholic Christian ), who requested me to come and join them in the evening taking a small alcoholic drink. As I had totally stopped taking alcoholic drinks, I said a small prayer “Holy Spirit, please give me the right word that I should speak if I am confronted” and went and joined their table. Here I was offered a drink, which I politely turned down, saying I don’t drink, and as usual normal advises started by the officer friend. At this point I prayed,“ Holy Spirit, please give me the words I should speak”. I received an inner message “ If I take even a little, I will not be able to tell a drunkard not to drink”. At these words he was silent. I thank and Praise Lord for the Power of the words given to me.

Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, I worship You, I adore You. I Thank and Praise You for all the Help You have given me and for protecting me from many sins. Guide me in the same way You guided Lord Jesus Christ on earth, not to fall into any sin and to identify the Will of God, our Father and to do His Will always. Thank You Lord, Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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THE COVER STORY

Whatever the attitude we have towards the teachings of the Catholic faith with respect to death, death cannot be separated from love.

This is also a truth.

Our founder priest reminds us that death and love is joined together through one single link.

Where there is deep love death has a worth; therefore the ability to face even a minor death gives that death and love a worth which is invaluable.

Therefore, let us love death.

Walk in the Spirit - November 2016

ISSN 1391-5967