Walk In the Spirit April 2017

WALK IN THE SPIRIT April 2017 Volume 04 Issue 15

"The Lord is with you. Be awake"

ISSN 1391-5967

SHARING ON PRAYER April 2017

Faith is the basic gift. It is a call to a new Light that soars above the light of the senses and light of reason or intuition or any other inspiration. It opens the way to see and to recognize that there is ‘another life’ and consequently to grow in the gift of Awareness, recognition, acceptance, giving in, of prayer, to appeal, reception and total surrender and appropriation.

Faith implies a darkness too. It is to live the paradox of DARKNESS and LIGHT. It is Faith that will lead us to the Triduum of the Paschal Mystery.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

4

Saturday 1st April 2017 Jeremiah:11/18-20 Psalm:7/1-2, 8-11 John:7/40-52 The Gospel Proclamation When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah". But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!"

Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him?

But this crowd, which does not know the law - they are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" They replied "Surely you are not also from Galilee are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee" Prayerful Awareness In this reading we see how a large group of people, or in other words a “mob” behaves. We read that the mob was divided into two main sections.

One half of the mob “wanted to seize”

Jesus, and the other half seemed to believe Jesus because the Pharisees accuse these people of knowing “nothing of the law – there is a curse on them”.

The way a group of people or a mob behaves belongs to the study of social psychology. According to social psychology, the way a mob behaves is the result of de-individuation or a loss of self-awareness.

Individual awareness that keeps us from becoming violent, loud and other normal inhibitions tend to be replaced by a group mentality.

So in a hypothetical situation, imagine you are at a cricket match, and Sri-Lanka is playing with another country (Australia). If you are surrounded by other fellow Sri-Lankan supporters, then you are more likely to shout and scream. However, if you were unlucky enough to be sitting among a bunch of Aussy fans who are also loudly supporting their own team, then you are more likely to keep yourself quiet. Now imagine that you were sitting with other fellow Sri-Lankan supporters, and suddenly one of the group, who is by no doubt Sri-Lankan, starts supporting the Australian team loudly and visibly. Such behaviour takes a lot of courage and belief in yourself to break away from the group mentality.

The response that Nicodemus gave was also of enormous courage, because he was visibly “one of their own number [a Pharisee]”. He asked bravely “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”.

Prayer starter Holy Spirit, help me to always behave, act and speak the truth bravely and with love.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

5

Sunday 2nd April 2017

Ezekiel:37/12-14 Psalm: 130/1-7 Romans: 8/8-11 John: 11/1-46 OR 11/3-7,17,20-27,32-45 The First Proclamation Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord God; O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have you rise from them O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.

Prayerful Awareness The answer that God gives to those who cry out to Him for justice originates from the grave. The grave connotes death. But is it not true that all of us without many exceptions would rather have an answer before we go to the grave? The Gospel proclamation relates a story which describes our attitude with regard to death and dying. Let us read it identifying ourselves with the characters in the story and gaze at Jesus through their mindset.

The Gospel Proclamation So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it, he said "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ps. Week I Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let go to Judea again."

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.

But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him."

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me, will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."

Prayerful Awareness

On being told that the man whom He loved was ill, Jesus replied, "This sickness will not end in death, but in God's glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified." (11/4) The larger story of God stands behind both the initial delay and the eventual decision that, despite the danger, Jesus will set out for Jerusalem. The story of the resurrection of Lazarus is also the story of the beginning of Jesus' glorification. By means of the miracle of Lazarus the glory of God will shine forth in the crucified Messiah.

On Jesus' arrival, two sisters play important roles in the unfolding of the drama (vs.19-20). Martha went to meet Him, unhappy that He was not with them to prevent their tragedy. Jesus' promise to Martha that Lazarus will rise leads her to re-state Jewish hopes, there will be a resurrection on the last day (vs.25-27).

Jesus has challenged her to go further

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

6

than these limited hopes. There is no need to wait for the end of time for life; Jesus Himself is the resurrection and the life. (vs.25-26). There can be no death for those who believe in Him. Despite her good will, she cannot accept Jesus' self-proclamation. She claims that she believes, but her confession: "You are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is to come into the world" can be understood as a profound Jewish confession of faith in the expected Messiah (vs.27). Such faith is still not enough, it forms part of her culturally conditioned religious hopes and expectations.

Mary also expresses her sorrow at Jesus' late arrival (vs.32-33), but she leads Him into His frank expression of sorrow, affection and the crucial question: 'Where have you put him?' (vs.33-34). While Martha's encounter led to words which proclaimed Jesus as the resurrection and the life, Mary's leads to action which proclaims the same truths. (vs. 39-44).

The resurrection of Lazarus - still wearing the signs of death to which he will return - produces faith among many, but the story returns to where it began, the oncoming death of Jesus. Caiaphas informs the Pharisees: 'One man must die for the people' (vs.50). But the storyteller adds that the effects of this death will reach further: 'not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God.' (vs. 52) Gaze on Jesus Jesus' life-giving presence is double edged. 'God so loved the world that he gave His only Son - not to judge the world - but to save the world.' This is the Jesus whose death and resurrection we are about to celebrate. True life cannot be had without death. There is no glory without death. Lazarus comes to life, as Jesus turns towards a death which will give eternal life. However, the life restored to Lazarus is temporary. This is indicated by the clothes of death he is still wearing as he comes forth from the

tomb (vs.43-44) The life which the death of Jesus produces will last forever. This will be indicated at the Resurrection of Jesus, where the clothes of death will be found carefully wrapped and laid to one side (see John 20/6-7).The wonder of Lazarus' resurrection is simply that wonder. The Resurrection of Jesus brings eternal life.

The Second Proclamation Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Our sonship We who have received Baptism have our life hidden with God in Christ. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) There is no record of Lazarus' life after he was raised from the dead by Jesus. But it would surely have had a difference. It would have been a life dead to sin but alive to the spirit of righteousness.

The life in the spirit we are called upon to live is not something that we need to acquire but to discover within. It is a presence we need to become aware of on a moment to moment basis.

Prayer Starter Lord Holy Spirit! Grant us the grace to detach ourselves from the identities given us by the following: Our past, our parents and other loved ones, our achievements, our possessions, our personality type, our inner wounds, our thoughts, feelings and emotions, our state of life, etc. and claim the gift of Your divine sonship .....

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

7

Monday 3rd April 2017 Daniel: 13/1-9,15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 41-62 Psalm: 22/1-6 John:8/1-11 The Gospel Proclamation Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women.

Now what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

Jesus straightened up and said to her "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

Prayerful Awareness The Jewish leaders twisted the Law according to their irrational likings.

They disregarded the LAW by arresting the woman without the MAN. The law required that BOTH parties to adultery be STONED. They used the woman to trick Jesus. If Jesus stopped the woman being stoned, they would accuse Jesus of

violating Moses' Law. If Jesus allowed to execute her, they would report Him to the Romans, who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions.

(John 18:31, 8:7). This is a significant statement about judging others. Because Jesus upheld the legal penalty for adultery, STONING, He could not be accused of being AGAINST the law.

But by saying that only a SINLESS person could THROW the FIRST stone Jesus highlighted the importance of compassion and FORGIVENESS. It is God's role to judge not OURS. The Jewish leaders acted as though they had NEVER sinned!

It is uncertain whether Jesus was simply ignoring the accusers by writing on the ground, LISTING their SINS or writing out the NAMES of the men who committed sin WITH her or was He writing the Commandment "Thou shall not commit adultery".

When Jesus said "If ANYONE of YOU is WITHOUT SIN, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" He made them all to examine their conscience and accept their own sins. Hence the LEADERS slipped quietly away from the oldest to the youngest. Evidently the OLDER men were more AWARE of their Sins than the YOUNGER. Jesus tells us to recognize our sinful nature and look for ways to help others rather than hurt them. Jesus did not condemn the woman accused of adultery, but neither did He IGNORE or CONDONE her sin. He told her, to LEAVE her life of SIN. Jesus stands ready to forgive ANY sin in our lives, but confession and repentance means a CHANGE of HEART. With God's help we can STOP our WRONGDOING. Prayer Starter Thank You Jesus, for not holding our sins against us and for granting a second chance. Help us to forgive just as You have so freely forgiven us.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

8

Tuesday 4th April 2017 Numbers:21/4-9 Psalm: 102/1-2,15-20 John: 8/21-30 The First Proclamation ... "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? .... Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, ... "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you, pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, |"Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

The Gospel Proclamation

many believed in him.

Prayerful Awareness When sinful people murmur against God, He punishes them in various ways for example by illness, wounds etc. When Moses led the Israelites to cross the Red Sea, on the way they started speaking against God and God sent serpents to bite them. But God always has compassion on us sinners and is ready to forgive us if we only change our lives and ask for forgiveness. In the same way God had pity on the Israelites who were bitten by the serpents and He cured them when they obeyed God and looked at the bronze serpent put up by Moses as asked by God. This bronze serpent represents Jesus who died on the cross for the salvation of all mankind.

Jesus and the Jews of His days were far apart. Their ideas and values did not tally. When Jesus said "I am going", the Jews thought that Jesus was going to kill Himself, not knowing that committing suicide is a grave sin. Jesus told them that He was from above that is from Heaven and the Jews who were ordinary human beings were from below - the earth.  So wide is the spiritual distance between Jesus and man.

Jesus is always willing to do the Will of His Father. This the Jews did not understand for they did not believe that Jesus came from His Father Abba and is going back to Him. So when Jesus said "I am going" they misunderstood Him completely. It is this misunderstanding and disbelief that led to their traitorous betrayal and condemnation of Jesus to His death on the cross.

Prayer Starter

Again he said to them, "I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." Then the Jews said, "Is he going to kill himself? ..."

He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above, you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he." They said to him, "Who are you?"

Jesus said to them, "Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him."

They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize If you are waiting for a sign from that I am he and that I do nothing on Heaven, I'm afraid you may be disapmy own, but I speak these things as the pointed.

Father instructed me. And the one who God has given the perfect witness sent me is with me, he has not left me Jesus Christ, the One He appointed. alone, for I always do what is pleasing Hess to him. As he was saying these things,

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

9

Wednesday 5th April 2017

Daniel:3/14-20,91-92, 95 Psalm: Daniel:3/52-56 John:8/31-42

The First Proclamation …..Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'Your question needs no answer from us: if our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, Your Majesty, he will save us; and even if he does not, .... we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have set up.'

This infuriated King Nebuchadnezzar; … He gave orders for the furnace to be made seven times hotter than usual and ... throw them into the burning fiery furnace……. King Nebuchadnezzar sprang to his feet in amazement. ....‘Did we not have these three men thrown bound into the fire?’ ..., ‘Certainly, Your Majesty’.

‘But’, ..., ‘I can see four men walking ...

And the fourth looks like a child of the gods!’…………..

The Gospel Proclamation To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said: If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free……

Gaze on Jesus Let us meditatively dwell on today’s proclamations, and especially the quote, ‘the truth will set you free.’ What is truth?

In John 14:6 Jesus tells us ‘I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.’ Let us reflect how and why He makes such a bold stupendous claim! In order to try to understand, let us read some corroborating Gospel passages: ‘In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was

St. Vincent Ferrer God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him. What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of men; and light shines in darkness, and darkness could not overpower it’ (John 1: 1-5), and in John 3:16-17, ‘For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

For God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’

From the above, we see God is Love.

Further, God is Triune, God the Father, and God the Son, and the constant giving, receiving, binding Love between them is manifested as the third person in the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16-17 Jesus says, ‘I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth whom the world can never accept since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you.’

When we believe the above revelations, we can rest assured that everything happens as per Abba Father’s definitive Will or permissive Will, and therefore know for sure that we will live eternally with the Father and Son come what may! And it is this truth that sets us free!

Because the truth for instance gives us a universal and eternal perspective, against which we are just a speck of dust and a passing moment, and exclaim, what are we that Almighty God cares for us (Psalm 8:4)!

Song of Praise (Psalm: Daniel:3/52) May you be blessed, Lord, God of our ancestors, be praised and extolled forever.

Blessed be your glorious and holy name, praised and extolled forever.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

10

Thursday 6th April 2017 Genesis:17/3-9 Psalm: 105/4-9 John: 8/51-59 The First Proclamation And Abram bowed to the ground.

God spoke to him as follows, 'For my part, this is my covenant with you: you will become the father of many nations. And you are no longer to be called Abram; your name is to be Abraham, for I am making you father of many nations. I shall make you exceedingly fertile. I shall make you into nations, and your issue will be kings.

And I shall maintain my covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, as a covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And to you and to your descendants after you, I shall give the country where you are now immigrants, the entire land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity. And I shall be their God.' God further said to Abraham, 'You for your part must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you, generation after generation.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Jesus, the pure Word of God, become flesh / limited / localised is the fulfillment of the promise of God. Abraham today is considered the Father not only by all Christians, but by all the Jews as well as all Islamists. All who believe in One God pays homage to this person who was bold enough to stand counter to the prevailing norm of the time: Polytheism. He was also courageous enough to Let Go of familiar surroundings / relationships and the security experienced thereof. We are indeed indebted to that courageous soul, Abraham and his Seed.

The covenant was to be accom-

plished in due time. Moving from a situation of having forgotten who we are (Light Beings) to remembering, is a process of trial and error, eliminating erroneous beliefs and gaining coherence in the energies that we choose to associate with.

The covenant must be kept by Abraham and his seed. Those who would have the Lord to be their God, must resolve to be to Him, his people. That’s why it is called a Covenant. Not only Abraham and Isaac, and his posterity by Isaac, but also Ishmael and the bond-servants were involved therein. It sealed not only the covenant of the land of Canaan to Isaac's posterity, but of heaven, through Christ, to the whole Church of God. It is dangerous to make light of Divine institutions, and to live in the neglect of them. The covenant in question was one that involved great blessings for the world in all future ages. Abraham was justified, as we have seen, not by his own righteousness, but by faith in the promised Messiah. Christ and all that are his, depend upon God for honour. Men, without knowing God, may yet be able to dispute about God All who rightly know anything of Christ, will earnestly desire to know more of him. Those who discern the dawn of the light of the Sun of Righteousness, wish to see his rising.

"Before Abraham was, I AM", says the Lord Jesus in today’s Gospel; God made “Jesus” the Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption to Adam, and Abel, and all that lived and died by faith in him, before Abraham.

Are you involved in the deal?

Prayer Starter Dear Lord, I want to be involved in this covenant. I want You as my Lord God; and I shall be Your People, keeping Your covenant and enjoying your blessings, with the Holy Spirit- the Consoler, living right inside of me ….

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

11

Friday 7th April 2017 Jeremiah:20/10-13 Psalm: 18/1-6 John:10/31-42 The Gospel Proclamation The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?" The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God." Jesus answered. "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? If those to whom the word of God came were called 'gods' - and the scripture cannot be annulled can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, 'I am God's Son' If I am not doing the works of my Father , then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him and they were saying, "John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true". And many believe in him there.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus' claim that the Father and He were one was not accepted by the Jews.

According to their view, it was invitation of the place that belonged to God alone by a man. The Jewish law laid it

St. John Baptist de la Salle down that penalty for blasphemy was stoning to death. They got ready to go ahead with their verdict but Jesus met their hostility with arguments. "You are gods" Jesus told the Jews. As they were commissioned to some task by the Almighty they were gods. So Jesus' argument was that if the scripture could speak like that about people with authority and power how much more could He speak about Himself. He drew their attention to the good things He had done - feeding the hungry, healing the sick etc. which were full of power, help and deep understanding, acts which surely were from God. "Their answer was that they could not conceive of the humiliation of God in the form of a man. The world can understand a man divinizing himself, but it cannot understand a God becoming a man."

(Foulton J. Sheen)"The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent Him. They invite belief in Him. To those who turn to Him in faith, He grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen Faith in the One who does His Father's works; they bear witness that He is the Son of God. But His miracles can also be occasions for "offence"; they are not intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic. Despite His evident miracles some people reject Jesus." (C.C.C.548) "A word is something about which people can argue; but a deed is something beyond argument. Jesus is the perfect teacher in that He does not base His claims on what He says, but on what He is and does. His invitation to the Jews was to base their verdict on Him, not on what He said, but on what He did; and that is a test which all His followers ought to be able and willing to meet.

The tragedy is that so few can meet it, still less invite it." (William Barclay) Prayer Starter Make our faith an active one. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

12

Saturday 8th April 2017

Ezekiel:37/21-28 Song:Jeremiah: 31/10- 13 John: 11/45-57 The Gospel Proclamation Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what He had done began to believe in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees ...

So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhendrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest ..., said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish,” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.

So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, ... Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think?

That he will not come to the feast?”

Prayerful Awareness Raising a four day old dead body to life was enough proof for many Jewish people there, to believe that Jesus Christ was not an ordinary prophet but a special person from God or the expected Messiah, but for some others the very

action brought fear, when they saw more and more people start accepting Jesus Christ, who talked the Truth and could expose hidden secrets of many lives, probably thinking that the positions they hold may be threatened. They took this message to the Pharisees who were waiting for an occasion to conspire to eliminate Jesus. We see this happen even today for people who speak the Truth, who do not tell lies, who do not take commissions or bribes and do only just and correct acts. They have no acceptance in the society where corruption rules, and sometimes people who speak the truth are made to go through various sufferings to stop them and even have to pay by their lives. Lord Jesus said to God the Father, in St. John 17:15, “I do not ask that You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one”. He said to His disciples “I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves” (St. Mathew 10:16).

We are called to be witnesses of our Lord, to be like salt of the earth and the light of the world (St. Mathew 5: 13-14), to give value to the society by our deeds and by our words to influence the world for good with the power Lord has sent to us from Father, as stated in Acts 1: 8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Prayer Starter God our Loving Father, grant me Your Holy Spirit more and more to know the Truth about everything, Your Word, all Your Commandments and all Your Teachings to Guide me to live my life as a True witness, and as a follower of my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ to love You and serve You. Thank You Father, Amen

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

13

Sunday 9th April 2017 Isaiah:50/4-7 Psalm: 22/7-8,16-19, 22-23 Philippians:2/6-11 Matthew:26/14-27, 66 OR 27/11-54 Introduction The Holy Week of the year 2017 begins today. Right through the forty day retreat we have already received a deep spiritual strength. Let us now enter into Holy week with Jesus to share His experience. It’s a journey.

Let us pray f or anointment of the Holy Spirit to awaken us to how we should combine this journey with the journey of life we lead.

The First Proclamation

Palm Sunday

Ps. Week II

which is prayer, is the secret of His ability to bear up abuse beatings and even the condemnation unto death.

Our Lord Jesus never neglected the inner thirst He had to go before the Eternal Father every morning before He acted as a teacher who strengthens the weary and gave guidance.

It is an illuminated experience to receive the gift of awareness to the actions of the Father and to listen to Him instead of complaining about our grievances. The experience of prayer is to enter into a unique dimension of faith which others cannot see. It is a sure sign of resurrection to experience the dignity of the sonship of God. rather than frustration, self pity and shame.

The Gospel Proclamation

One of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you”? They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teach says, My time is near, I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his The experience of being in the place with the twelve … “Truly I tell presence of the Father all the time, “The servant of the Lord said: “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.” The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward, I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”

Prayerful Awareness

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

14

you, one of you will betray me,” …

“Surely not I, Lord?|… “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” …

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body,” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them saying, ”Drink from it, all of you, ….

“What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.”

Prayerful Awareness The long hour of glorifying the Father begins. It is most important to be in awareness of our Lord’s inner experience with each incident.

Our Lord Jesus experiences a Passover within every incident He faces without hatred, anger or self pity. Christ’s Passover is to cross over from where one is, to where one should be; from where hatred is, over to where love is. The great Passover that overrides the old Jewish Passover is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ defeating death.

Through our baptism we are invited to share in the Paschal experience of Jesus Christ. There is no life or meaning in the Christian life we lead, if we do not experience a Passover in our day to day life. Palm Sunday is a day that tells us that we should not allow our failures and successes to influence our actions but to make them occasions for us to experience the Passover of Jesus.

The Second Proclamation “…who, the was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness,. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on across.

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Prayerful Awareness Philippians 2:6-11 is a song hat Christians sang which proclaims the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It also invites us to worship and proclaim by every heart and tongue that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all and of our life.

The Second Person of the Holy Trinity emptied Himself of the Glory and Power of God and became Man. Thus, He has become our ideal, of the life of emptying and letting go.

Prayer Starter O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your Will through all things. (By St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

15

Monday 10th April 2017 Isaiah: 42/1-7 Psalm: 27/1-3, 13-14 John: 12/1-11 The Gospel Proclamation Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him, said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it). Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Prayerful Awareness We have come to the sixth and final week in Lent. It is indeed the period of grace. The Holy Week reminds us to pray fervently, repent and share all the benefits we have with those who are troubled and broken hearted. The

prophet Isaiah proclaims the greatness of Our Lord Jesus Christ depicted as the Servant of God to be the Saviour of all mankind and the whole Universe. We are reminded also of our Blessed Mother, the handmaid of God who simply bowed down to Yahweh God. The Gospel passage is a story of gratitude; Martha who sends her servants away and waits on Jesus and the disciples. Mary who anoints Jesus' feet, as a preparation of His burial, seeking to thank Him for giving new life to her brother and to all of them. This is where Jesus takes her gift and will later, at the Last Supper, wash the feet of all His disciples as a way of living our gratitude and obedience to God through one another. She is demeaned by others but she is defended by Jesus, and we are commended to do for the poor what she has done for the poor suffering servant of God - Jesus Christ. We, who have known God's life in Jesus, in our baptism, must become like Lazarus, a reason for others to believe in Jesus.

Today's first reading gives us an insight into the qualities and characteristics of Jesus. 500 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah revealed that the Messiah would be a servant not an emperor on a throne who, as the Jews thought would come to free them.

In this Holy week, we see the servant nature and service nature of Christian love. This servant is led not by worldly power or might, but by the Holy Spirit.

He will mend the broken hearts and set the captives free. He will open the prison doors and make the blind to see. He will make love and justice meet in mercy.

Prayer Starter Father God, let us be like Your Son Jesus, identifying ourselves with the poor and be courageous and strong in performing our mission of building the Kingdom of God. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

16

Tuesday 11th April 2017 Isaiah: 49/1-6 Psalm: 71/1-6, 15-17 John:13/21-33, 36-38 The Gospel Proclamation .... “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” ... One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. ... “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “ It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and handed it over to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” ... So he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. ..., Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. ... My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come, ‘ so now I say it to you.” …….. Simon Peter said to him, “ Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said ..., “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

Prayerful Awareness Judas had a greed for money and wealth and Satan used this weakness as a tool to separate him from other disciples and to betray Jesus Christ. We too could have desires to go after material gains, as such should be cautious not to get caught to the worldly acts of sin. This is why Lord Jesus said, to be awake always not to fall into sin (St.

Mathew 26:41).Lord also said that “no one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and mammon” (St. Mathew 6:24). Therefore we should be very careful not to devote our lives to go after money forgetting God and His Teachings, thus become slaves to such desires, as idol worshipers breaking the First Commandment. Lord knows what we need, and if we depend on God and pray He will give us ways to earn them the correct way. Lord said ask then it will be given (St. Mathew 7:7).Peter on the other hand thought that he was strong in his own way and will never leave Jesus Christ, ready to even give his life, but failed when the real test came. Peter, whom Lord selected to be strong as a rock became so weak and had to even lie, denying knowing Jesus Christ, to protect his life. This proved that humans are weak and can easily break promises due to various reasons or pressure and fall into sin, if we do not obtain divine Help. We should always pray and ask for Divine Help to resist sin. We are called to follow our Leader and Lord Jesus Christ and to do so without breaking our focus on Lord in order to continue to receive Divine Help( Peter was getting drowned the moment he lost Trust on Lord St. Mathew 14:30-31).

Lord knows that we are weak and that is why He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with us always to Help us (St.John 14:16).

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, my Saviour and Lord, I know that I am weak and need Your help in this journey of mine to finally meet God our Loving Father. Help me to obey All Your Teachings and be focused on You and Trust You to Guide me in everything I do, every word I speak, every emotion and thought I have, to live like a child of God, with the Help of the Holy Spirit, Thank you Lord, Amen

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

17

Wednesday 12th April 2017 Isaiah: 50/4-9 Psalm: 69/7-9,20-21 30, 32-33 Mathew: 26/14-25

The First Proclamation Lord Yahweh has given me a disciple's tongue, for me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary.

Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple. .... I have offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; I have not turned my face away from insult and spitting. Lord Yahweh comes to my help, this is why insult has not touched me, this is why I have set my face like flint and know that I shall not be put to shame. He who grants me saving justice is near! Who will bring a case against me? ...

Gospel Proclamation Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from then onwards he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, 'Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?' He said, 'Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, "The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples." The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came he was at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating he said, 'In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.' They were greatly distressed and started asking

him in turn, 'Not me, Lord, surely?' He answered, 'Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!' Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, 'Not me, Rabbi, surely?' Jesus answered, 'It is you who say it.'

Gaze at Jesus Let us reflect on today’s Proclamations and Psalm which are all to do with our Lord Jesus Christ, describing His mission to be the perfect sacrificial offering to pay for mankind’s collective sin (the wages of sin is death) through the betrayal, suffering, death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection whereby man’s lost heritage was restored to all those who believe in His salvific action.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was able to fulfill Abba Father’s Will because of His unswerving faith in His Father’s redeeming Love for Him and the Creation. The Lord was filled with a thirst / passion to accomplish His Father’s Will to restore the Creation to its pristine glory, and He was able to do His Father’s Will one hundred percent because He was constantly discerning how He should respond to people, situations, etc. on a moment to moment awakening to the Holy Spirit. To know the Father’s Will, He had to be constantly attuned in Spirit and also be thoroughly conversant with the scriptures, and that is how He was able to say, ‘The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will’, and stoically submit to all the pain, shame, and the vilifications He was subjected to.

Prayer Starter Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for saving me/us!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

18

Thursday 13th April 2017 Exodus:12.1-8,11-14 Psalm:116/12-13,15-18 1 Corinthians:11/23-26 John: 13/1-15 The First Proclamation Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 'This month must be the first of all the months for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, "On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock for his family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small for the animal, he must join with his neighbour nearest to his house, depending on the number of persons. When you choose the animal, you will take into account what each can eat. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may choose it either from the sheep or from the goats. You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter it at twilight. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on both door-posts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh must be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Today is a great day Lord, a day that glorifies You throughout this Cosmos and beyond, for all time. Thank You dearest Lord for making us passover, from our old selves to the new; from being fallen, to been risen with the Christ.

In Egypt, Israel was raised up through Joseph- the son of Jacob, but then the world trampled them down to become slaves. Then was Moses used

Holy Thursday for freeing them up again, in the process whereof you did mighty and wondrous deeds, enshrining in the hearts of your people your care, concern and love for them.

Still would man-kind choose to remain fallen, avoiding and abandoning the relationship with you, seeking instead human kings and over-lords.

Our inclination to become confined / limited / constrained to our primary sensory inputs is pathetic. You so want us to become aware of the under-lying real substance of this creation, the 'God Stuff' so to say, and we remain fixated on the passing material manifestations!

We forget that we're created in your image and likeness; that we reflect your being and are in essence co-creators. We are empowered to think, to imagine, to visualise, and project to the outside world our desires, making this world what it is today. We also create our 'Life Taste' through our inner choices in a moment to moment basis. Vis. You want us to partake of sustenance that is unleavened and bitter- ie: devoid of sensory delights, yet, full of your love and care, opening us up to another level of being, through the faith dimension.

Jesus, celebrating the passover with his disciples today brings this inner orientation to the forefront; that real power rests not in Lording it over the Other, but in serving the Other. Now it is upon you and me to to become aware of this foundational issue we have; of coming out of the mirror to the real true world where the Living Word reigns.

Prayer Starter Thank You dear Lord for imparting to us this hidden, yet out in the open reality. O Holy Spirit of God, awaken us to this wondrous world, where we are totally in tune with our choices and we make the world smell so nice and harmonious ....

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

19

Friday 14th April 2017

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Isaiah: 52/13-53/12 Psalm:31/1,5,11,12, 14-16, 24 Hebrews: 4/14-16; 5/7-9 John: 18/1-19/42 Good Friday St. John's account of the Passion is more reflective and theological. He emphasizes Jesus' obedience to the Father's Will. The Kingship of Jesus is asserted; the crucifixion is a victory, the hour of death is also the hour of triumph. Christ lives His life, He is 'lifted up' on the cross, but willingly, and only in order to enter into His glory, a glory that is made visible even in this world to the confusion of unbelievers and ending in the defeat of Satan once and for all. (New Jerusalem Bible) 'On this day, when Christ our paschal lamb was sacrificed, what has long been promised in signs and figures was at last revealed and brought to fulfilment. The true lamb replaced the symbolic lamb, and the many offerings of the past gave way to the single sacrifice of Christ.

The wonderful works of God among the people of the Old Testament were a prelude to the work of Christ the Lord.

He achieved His task of redeeming the humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of the blessed Passion, Resurrection from the dead and glorious ascension, whereby dying He destroyed our death and rising He restored our life. For it was from the side of Christ as He slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the sublime sacrament of the whole Church.

In contemplating the Cross of its Lord and Bridegroom the Church commemorates its own origin and its mission to extend to all peoples the blessed effects of Christ's Passion that it celebrates on this day in a spirit of thanksgiving, for His marvelous gift.' (ORDO) The Gospel Proclamation Please read John 18/1-19/42 meditatively.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus had the power, opportunity and time to evade His arrest but He gave priority to the Father's Will and plan. He obeyed Him in all things. So He faced the army with courage. The authority that flowed from Him was surely stronger than the might of the army. He could have walked through them but it was the 'hour' and He even helped the captors to arrest Him. Even in Gethsemane His love for His disciples was evident. "Let these go." (vs.8) Law-breakers or people engaged in evil ways and means often engage in ways to eliminate their opponents. They resort to foul methods or means when the fair fails or is not adequate enough.

This is true of Annas and his followers.

So we see before Jesus was tried He was condemned. Behind Peter's failure we have to see his bravery - when almost all other disciples had fled, he alone followed Him, at the ordeal in the garden it was he who drew out his sword in protest; was brave enough to follow Jesus against odds.

Behind all these we have the lesson - beneath our failures He sees the real person and also understands fully. He is love and love is the yardstick He uses.

When we are defeated by sin He awaits at the door and knocks - gives us chances to stage that all important come back.

"The desire to embrace His Father's plan of redeeming love inspired Jesus' whole life, for His redemptive passion was the very reason for His Incarnation. And so He asked, "And what shall I say, 'Father save me from this hour'" No, for this purpose I have come to this hour." And again, "Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?" From the cross, just before "It is finished" He said, "I thirst". (C.C.C.607) Prayer Starter Truly You are the Son of God. Have mercy on the poor sinners like us. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

20

Saturday 15h April 2017 1.Genesis: 1/1-2/2 OR 1/1,2,26-31 Psalm:33/4-7, 12-13, 20-22 OR 104/1-2,56,10,12-14,24,35 Matthew: 20/17-28 2.Genesis:22/1-18 OR 22/1-2,9-13,15-18

3. Genesis:14/15-15/1 Song:Genesis:15/1-6,17-18 4. Isaiah:54/5-14 Psalm:30/1,3-5,10-12 5. Isaiah:55/1-11 Isaiah:12/2-6 6. Baruch:3/9-15,32;4/4 Psalm:19/7-10 7.Ezekiel:36/16-28 Psalm:42/2,4;43/3-4 8.Romans: 6/4-11 Psalm:118/1-2,16-17,22-23 9. Mathew: 28/1-10

The Gospel Proclamation After the sabbath, ..., Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, . ... For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said, Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." ...Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" ... Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

The other Mary was NOT Jesus ' Mother. She could have been the wife of Cleopas or the mother of James and John.

Holy Saturday

(Mathew 27:56). The stone was NOT rolled back, so JESUS could get out, but so that OTHERS could get IN and SEE that Jesus had INDEED risen from the dead, just as He had PROMISED. The angel gave the women FOUR messages. 1) "Do not be afraid". The resurrection brings JOY, NOT FEAR. 2) He is not here". Jesus is not DEAD, He is ALI VE among His people. 3) "Come and see". The women could check the evidence themselves. The tomb WAS empty, then, and it is EMPTY TODAY. The Resurrection is a HISTORICAL FACT. 4) "Go quickly and TELL". They were to spread the JOY of the Resurrection. We too must do the same - spread the GREAT NEWS. Jesus' resurrection is the KEY to the Christian faith, because Jesus rose from the dead as promised. He will therefore accomplish ALL He has promised.

Jesus' bodily resurrection shows that the LIVING Christ is RULER of God's eternal Kingdom, not a FALSE prophet or imposter and we can be certain of OUR resurrection because He was resurrected. DEATH is NOT the END. There is future life. The power that brought Jesus back to life is available to US to bring our spiritually dead selves back to life.

The resurrection is the BASIS for the Church's witness to the WORLD. Jesus is more than just a human leader, He is the SON of GOD. Jesus told the women to pass the message on to the disciples - that He would meet them in Galilee, as He had previously told them (Mark 14:28). Jesus tells too to pass the good news of the RESURRETION so that men will know that Jesus is TRUELY GO, who keeps His promises.

Prayer Starter Lord help us to let our lips and lives express the holy Gospel we profess. Inspire us to tell that Jesus' death forgave our sins and Jesus' resurrection gives us hope.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

21

Sunday 16th April 2017 Acts: 10/34,37-43 Psalm: 118/1-2,16-17, 22-23 Colossians:3/1-4 OR 1 Corinthians:5/6-8 John:20/1-9 OR Mathew:28/1-10 Introduction The desire to live for ever seems to be stamped in our very beings. Our longing to be remembered for posterity is bared in our obsession with good health, our need to have children who will “carry our name”; those who have the capability and means will do this through writing memoirs, autobiographies and biographies. Others will establish memorial structures (roads, buildings, etc.)

The Entrance antiphon points to a radically different way of realizing the legacy of eternal life. It was the way of “THE WAY” – Jesus Christ. Jesus True Man though He experienced in faith ‘THE TRUTH” of God’s desire to keep “THE LIFE” of His Beloved Son safe. It seems that Jesus gazes at Himself and utters the words of the Entrance antiphon.

I have risen: I am with you once more; you placed your hand on me to keep me safe. How great is the depth of your wisdom. Alleluia!

Let us read the first proclamation which recollects the journey of our Lord Jesus preordained in wisdom by His Beloved Abba which culminated in His glorious resurrection ….

The First Proclamation Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. What has hap-

Easter Sunday pened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Prayerful Awareness Multitude upon multitudes saw, heard and were ministered to by Jesus during His mission in Galilee. But after His resurrection from the dead only a selected few were privileged to encounter Him. According to scriptures Jesus’ disciples were the first among them.

In the above proclamation Peter while witnessing to the resurrection of Our Lord also reveals that he and his fellow disciples were commissioned to preach and testify to who Jesus is.

It is of significance that Peter and the rest of the disciples became witnessing apostles after Our Lord ascended to His Father in heaven and sent the Holy Spirit upon them. Today as we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord we need to renew our desire to encounter Him and be commissioned by Him to preach and to testify to Him as the Lord and Savior of all mankind.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

22

Gospel Proclamation On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed; for they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Gaze at Jesus It is good to re-read the entrance antiphon at this stage and permit the Holy Spirit to give us an insight regarding the experience of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. It seems that Jesus became aware of His own resurrected state. But what He rejoiced in was not His victory over death but the fact the He was back again with His Abba and that His faith in the mysterious holy wisdom of His Abba had borne fruit.

Jesus walked the way of the cross not only to achieve victory for Himself alone but for the whole of humanity.

It is said that the disciples who came to the tomb saw and believed. No one SAW the resurrection because there was nothing to SEE. The crucifixion is a historical event, the resurrection is a faith event. The Risen Jesus enters a completely new way of living.

Why do we celebrate the feast of the resurrection? Let us read the second proclamation ……..

The Second Proclamation If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Our Sonship At Baptism we die and rise to a new life. That is our faith as Christians. The life that we are born into is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is now seated at the right hand of God. So where are we with our life that is hidden with Christ?

St. Paul at the zenith of his experience of Jesus Christ his Lord and master exults: “I live, no longer I but Christ lives in me.”

Indeed we have cause to celebrate, ALLELUIA! HALLELUJAH! PRIASE THE LORD !!!

Prayer Starter Sing a new song unto the Lord Let the song be sung from Moun tains High Sing a new song unto the Lord Singing Alleluia Yahweh’s people dance for joy O come before the Lord And play for Him on glad Tam bourines And let your trumpet sound (Repeat Refrain) Rise O children from your sleep Your Saviour now has come He has turned your sorrow to joy And filled your soul with song

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

23

Monday 17th April 2017 Acts: 2/14, 22-32 Psalm: 16/1,2,4,7-11 Matthew:28/8-15 The Gospel Proclamation So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me."

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep. " If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble". So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.

Gaze on Jesus Yesterday we joyfully celebrated the most important feast of the Christian world - Easter - the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy week gave us an opportunity to reflect on the sufferings and the death of the Servant Son. Beloved of God, His agony and His trust in God, crying out as He surrendered Himself to death. We let them sink into our hearts stirring us to admit our own sin and our part in the suffering of others and to look at the Crucified One still in our midst because of our sin, our evil and injustice and violence.

Gaze on our sonship Jesus is risen. He conquered death and He is living among all of us, without being confined to a person, or a place. Do we have a relationship with Him? If so, the result is a new life and a new vision that enables us to lead a full life, also to involve ourselves in solving the problems of others.

Jesus' Resurrection is the key to the Christian faith. Why? (1) Just as He promised, Jesus rose from the dead.

We can be confident therefore that He will accomplish all He has promised, (2) Jesus' bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ is the ruler of God's eternal Kingdom. (3) We can be certain of our resurrection because He was resurrected. Death is not the end, there is future life. (4) Resurrection is the basis for the Church's witness to the world. Jesus is more than a human leader. He is the Son of God. Do you encounter Jesus the Risen Lord in the Eucharist and the daily events of your life, in people? With the breaking of the bread, we are shown the necessity to break ourselves and forego our personal comforts, to get involved in issues of sharing and caring for the less privileged of our society. Jesus tells us "Remember, all that I have taught you when I was with you."

So we must preach forgiveness of sin to all the world and be witnesses. The scripture must be our food and drink, our life and life-blood to be studied and shared with others.

Prayer Starter "When from the dead God raised His Son and called Him to the sky, He gave our souls a living Hope, that they should never die.

Watts "Christ has replaced the dark door of death with the shining gate of life.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

24

Tuesday 18th April 2017 Acts: 2/36-41 Psalm: 33/4-5,18-20,22 John:20/11-18 First Proclamation All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah. When the people heard this, they were deeply troubled and said to Peter and the apostles, “what shall we do, brothers?" Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit. …" Many of them believed his message and were baptized and about 3000 people were added to the group that day. They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship and sharing in the fellowship meals and prayers.

Our sonship Let us meditate on what was achieved

by Peter at his first evangelizing ministry.

He calls to Jesus 3000 people who were from all walks of life. They were invited to return to Jesus with repentance. All those who returned, received the outpouring of the Spirit into their hearts.

Romans 8:14 tells us that those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Therefore our destiny to be children of God is fulfilled with our encounter with the living Christ who empowers us with the blessing of the Holy Spirit to spend the rest of our lives free, without fear and sorrow.

Gospel Proclamation Many stood outside the tomb.

While she was still crying, she bent

over and looked in the tomb and saw two angels there dressed in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. "Woman why are you crying?" They asked her. She answered "They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him". Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. “Woman why are you crying”? Jesus asked her “Who is it that you are looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, “If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him”. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned towards him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni”. …“Do not hold onto me … because I have not yet gone back up to the Father, but go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him, who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God. Gaze at Jesus Jesus is revealing to Mary in the Gospel proclamation that the period of fear, sorrow and anxiety that one goes through in life comes to an end with an encounter with Him. An encounter with Him is also a call to discipleship as Jesus instructs Mary that she ought to go to His brethren who are waiting to receive the Good News.

Jesus also reveals that our lives are destined to be associated with God Himself through our relationship with Him.

Prayer Starter Lord You have blessed us into a free life. Enlighten our minds our hearts to accept this truth. Enable in us the passion to evangelize. Bring our hearts together in solidarity into communities so that we may be strengthened in prayer.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

25

Wednesday 19th April 2017 Acts: 3/1-10 Psalm: 105/1-9 Luke:24/13-35 The Gospel Proclamation Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognising him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he ..., “What sort of things?” ... “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.

Some women from our group, however,... and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his Glory?”

Prayerful Awareness In this occurrence, Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the promise given, in St. Mathew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them”. Two disciples who were on their way to the place named Emmaus were discussing about all things that had occurred in Jerusalem, to Jesus Christ, and the Risen Lord Jesus Himself comes in the midst of them and join them. Lord has given us a mighty gift of calling Him to be with us, to be amongst us when we get together in His name and pray. When Lord who intercede for us comes, we can experience His Power to lighten the burdens we carry, to solve the problems we have, to change and purify our hearts and to raise us. Risen Lord is at the right hand of God, who intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). Lord said I am with you till the end of time (St. Mathew 28:20).

When Jesus had to leave the disciples, He promised to send another Helper and said “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you”( St. John 14:26).Upon receiving the Holy Spirit we will be changed and raised to know Lord Jesus better and to love Him with all our heart and with all our soul and will be blessed by Lord as stated in St John 14:23 -“Whoever loves me will keep my Word, and my Father will Love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with Him”.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, Forgive all my sins and weaknesses. Help me to forgive all who have done wrong to me. Please intercede for me and help me and raise me to love You and keep Your Word.

Purify my heart and prepare a dwelling place for You in my heart and make me love others as You love me, Thank You Lord, Amen

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

26

Thursday 20th April 2017 Acts:3/11-26 Psalm: 8/1, 4-8 Luke: 24/35/48

This is the true situation, and in abiding in this stance, the Holy Spirit will kindle abiding peace and joy in our inner world.

The First Proclamation To be really honest and truthful, we Everyone came running towards were created as His creatures, and we them in great excitement...where the shall remain so despite our perennial man was still clinging to Peter and inclination to become equal with the John. When Peter saw the people Creator; the original sin as explained in he addressed them, 'Men of Israel, the Book of Genesis. In other words, in why are you so surprised at this? abiding in His commandments (ChoosWhy are you staring at us as though ing our thoughts and desires to be in we had made this man walk by our accord with His Will-the specifications own power or holiness? It is the to which we are designed to!), we will God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, experience His Love-our inheritance the God of our ancestors, who has of the son-ship; enduring experience glorified his servant Jesus whom you of peace, joy, dignity, worthiness, and handed over and then disowned in exhilaration, in other words, to truly the presence of Pilate after he had know that we are BORN RICH and given his verdict to release him. It POWERFUL! Jesus is one with the Father, and was you who accused the Holy and Upright One, you who demanded co–equal with Him; while the apostles that a murderer should be released knew that they were weak, sinful men, to you while you killed the prince and dependent for every thing on Jesus, of life. God, however, raised him whose power effected the cure. Useful from the dead, and to that fact we men must be very humble. Not unto us, are witnesses; and it is the name of O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, Jesus which, through faith in him, give glory. Every crown must be cast at has brought back the strength of this the feet of Christ. The apostle showed man whom you see here and who is the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not anger or drive them to well known to you. .... despair. Assuredly, those who reject, Fix your gaze on Jesus refuse, or deny Christ, do it through Come Holy Spirit, do make us ignorance; of lack of correct knowlaware of your presence, that we may edge regarding our true state of being, discern the mind of Jesus- the Word but this can in no case be an excuse.

Incarnate in today’s offering.

Prayer Starter Observe the difference in the The absolute necessity to repent is manner of working the miracles. Our solemnly charged upon the consciences Lord always spoke as having Almighty power, never hesitating to receive the of all who desire that sins be blotted greatest honour that was given to him out, so that we may share in the reon account of his Divine miracles, freshment which nothing but a sense albeit showering praise on the Father. of Christ's pardoning love can afford.

But the apostles referred all honour to Blessed are those who have opened up their Lord, and refused to receive any, and admitted this truth, feeling this in except as his undeserving instruments. their innermost depth ….

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

27

Friday 21st April 2017

Feast of St. Anslem, Bishop & Confessor, Doctor of the Church

Acts: 4/1-12 Psalm:118/1-2, 4,22-27 John: 21/1-14 St. Anslem He was born in the Italian Alps and came from a noble family. After the death of his mother, the father's violence and harshness led him to flee from home.

He wandered in France for a number of years before taking the Benedictine habit in 1060 at Bee (Normandy). He was outstanding for his learning, and was made Prior and after another fifteen years, Abbot. He wrote his well known Philosophical and theological works, the Monologium and the Proslogium.

He crossed over to England from time to time in connection with the Abbey's English properties. He was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He was exiled by the kings twice. Gentle and self-effacing by nature, he was unyielding in matters of principle. He was a man of fearless zeal and denounced the slave trade. He strongly defended the doctrine that indicated matter of factly that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son. Died: April 21, 1109.

The First Proclamation While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed .... So they arrested them ... The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest,... "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, ... "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of

Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. ...' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.

Prayerful Awareness For this healing to take place time and place were immaterial. The lame limb was in the divine plan and the two disciples were the instruments actively involved in God's plan. We see that publicity was focused on the incident. The authorities including Sadducees were disturbed, challenged - resurrection from the dead; wealth and power, close ties with the Romans etc. They were afraid if the disciples were to go on unchecked, the consequences would be disastrous.

Why not take quick action to restrict the activities of the disciples. At the root of all these they were worried about their privileges and they were not ready either to listen to the truth or give a chance to anyone else even to hear it. Peter was only a Galilean fisherman, who, now was full of the Holy Spirit. His speech was full of courage and was aimed at the most intellectual, powerful and wealthy audience. It looked as if Peter was not their victim but judge. The most interesting part is that his speech was aimed at the very court that condemned Jesus to death.

What a risk to his life he was taking?

In the Gospel text we have Jesus appealing to His disciples. It is interesting to note the subtle ways He uses to show them He is not a vision or a spirit.

A vision or spirit would not be likely to cook a meal or kindle a charcoal fire.

Then the number of fish caught - 153.

St. Jerome said, in the sea there are 153 different kinds of fish - symbolizes the fact that all people of all nations will be gathered together.

Prayer Starter Jesus is Lord. Alleluia !!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

28

Saturday 22nd April 2017

Acts: 4/13-21 Psalm: 118/1, 14-21 Mark: 16/9-15

The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus. But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John. So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves.

“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by tem, and we cannot deny it. But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.” So they called them back in and told them that on no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight – to obey you or to obey God. For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.” So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened.

yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight – to obey you or to obey God.” They boldly confront and expose the Council’s detachment from God. While they are not men of education or social standing, they stand up to authority with courage and wisdom. Where does this strength come from?

However, the disciples we encounter in the gospel are far from the bold witnesses they will become. Instead, they are devastated following the death of Jesus. Twice they are told that Jesus had been seen alive, but they do not believe it until Jesus Himself appears before them. Meeting the resurrected Christ is a substantiation of all that He had said and done in the three years He was with the disciples. Most importantly, it is a confirmation that Jesus is the one through whom we are saved.

Jesus then tells them: “Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind.” The first proclamation shows them fulfilling this instruction. They are no longer tearful and despondent; they testify freely in the name of Jesus and their whole life is an expression of this message: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

There is no person or situation that is beyond the redeeming love of Jesus. In the gospel proclamation, even before His disciples who would be instrumental in spreading the gospel, Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection.

She was a woman from whom He had driven out seven demons. Jesus’ appearance to her highlights the unconditional nature of His love; the same love we are called to experience and share with others.

Prayerful Awareness

Prayer Starter

The First Proclamation

In the first proclamation, we encounter Peter and John doing amazing things in the name of Jesus. They heal a lame man in the witness of many. When warned

by Council members to speak no further about Jesus, Peter and John answer, “You

Come and bless, Come and praise, Come and praise the Living God! Allelu, Allelu, Alleluia Jesus Christ!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

29

Sunday 23rd April 2017 Second Sunday of Easter (or of Divine Mercy) see in his hands the print of the nails, Acts: 2/42-27 and place my finger in the mark of Psalm: 118/2-4,13-15, the nails, and place my hand in his 22-24 side, I will not believe.”

1 Peter: 1/3-9 Eight days later, his disciples were John:20/19-31 again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Introduction Jesus came and stood among them, An experience which revolutionizes and said, “Peace be with you.” Then a person’s view of the world, of life and he said to Thomas, “Put your finger it’s meaning, of what really matters, here, and see my hands and put out remain an entry in a personal diary or your hand and place it in my side, is stored away in the memory as just do not be faithless, but believing.” another event unless it is nourished Thomas answered him, “My Lord and treasured. An experience is nour- and my God!” Jesus said to him, ished by sharing it with others and by “Have you believed because you have permitting it to influence the way we seen me. Blessed are those who have think, talk and behave. So let us take not seen and yet believe” …..

Prayerful Awareness to heart the suggestion contained in the entrance antiphon.

The Risen Lord seems to be putting “Like new-born children you should the finishing touches to His ministry thirst for milk, on which your spirit can here on earth before He returns to the grow to strength. Alleluia.”

Father in about forty days time. The Lord seems to want His disciples to The Gospel Proclamation experience what He had won for them On the evening of that day, the and the rest of the human race so that first day of the week, the doors be- they may carry the Good News, on a ing shut where the disciples were, firsthand basis. He gives them the privfor fear of the Jews, Jesus came and ilege of experiencing the transcendent stood among them and said to them, breaking through into their mundane “Peace be with you.” When he had lives. said this, he showed them his hands Their Lord who died on Calvary and his side. Then the disciples were stood amongst them, offering peace glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus amidst fear, challenging them with a said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even mission while they were in despair, so I sent you.” And when he had said anointing them with power to forgive this, he breathed on them, and said sins when they themselves were filled to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If with guilt for having betrayed their you forgive the sins of any, they are Master. Risen Lord was even compasforgiven; if you retain the sins of any, sionate enough to accommodate the doubting Thomas, making a special they are retained.” appearance so that he could clear his Now Thomas, one of the twelve, doubts regarding the reality of the Rescalled the Twin, was not with them urrection. The words of Jesus following when Jesus came. So the other dis- the profession of faith by Thomas is a ciples told him, “We have seen the revelation of the mind of Jesus regardLord.” But he said to them, “Unless I ing many of us who may not have the

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

30

kind of experience that the Apostles had. Jesus says: “Blest are they who have not seen and have believed.”

Thank You Father for the gift of faith enabling us to believe though we have not seen. ALLELUIA. The First Proclamation And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship.

To the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common, and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as they had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Prayerful Awareness The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan resulted in His launching out into a whole new form of living. It is recorded that He did not go home after that.

Similarly the Apostles and the first believers began a new life-style. The essence of their life revolved round the Apostles’ teaching which led them to a life of community and fellowship, a daily meal in which they ‘broke the bread’ and prayers. They also shared all things in common according to their needs. What they did amongst themselves challenged the society at their time in the same way that the life of Jesus did.

What was it that inspired the disciples to live in this way? Could we say that it was because it served their self-interest or because they wanted to create a new “fashion” and be just different to the rest of society? There is

no evidence to support any of these reasons. There is a clue to their motivating force further on in the Acts of the Apostles (4/1) where Peter and John answer the rulers and elders and scribes of their time. “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge….” In other words, they had learned to discern the Will of God and allow it to be the last word in their decisions, come what may.

The Second Proclamation Let us read St. Peter’s sharing his experience of the gift that he had received from God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials so that the genuineness of your faith more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.

Prayer Starter Lord Holy Spirit create within us the thirst to seek the Will of God for everything in our lives and grant us the will and the courage to obey whatever the cost, and thus become true disciples, of the Risen Lord. Save us Lord from being deceived into mistaking our own desires for the Will of God.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

31

Monday 24th April 2017

St. Fidelis Sigmaringa, Martyr

Acts: 4/23-31 Psalm: 2/1-9 John:3/1-8 The First Proclamation Please read Acts 4/23-31 prayerfully.

The Gospel Proclamation Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said o Him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'

The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.| Gaze on Jesus It was Jesus who once said "I have to go to him who sent me. It is to your advantage I go. When I go the Counsellor will come and when He comes He will lead you to the truth."

(John 16/1). The Father the Son and the Spirit are one. The love that em-

anates from the Father and the Son is the Spirit. The love of God can do the impossible. So be aware, be alert and be open to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads and guides you as promised by Jesus. To be blessed by the Spirit is to be born anew. Nicodemus the Pharisee could not understand this. It is not our intellect and wisdom that matters but the power beyond it. This is the power of the Holy Spirit. So let us be on the alert and be open to the Holy Spirit for when the Holy Spirit comes He will teach us what sin is and lead us to the truth.

Prayerful Awareness As Jesus promised us He will send the Holy Spirit to lead us and the Holy Spirit is our Counsellor. Let us with firm faith in the words of Our Blessed Lord be on the alert, open and be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.

As it was said, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" Firm faith in the words of Jesus and being aware and conscious to the Holy Spirit, it will be our experience to proclaim that the Holy Spirit is in us and leading us to the truth. Let us therefore exercise the gift of Faith that we have received from the Lord and lead a life that will make others too to believe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be marveled as the Lord says "You must be born anew." Let us pray to the Lord.

Prayer Starter The Lord says: "You are my son, I have fathered you. Listen to me."

Be open and serve the Lord with fear.

Blessed are those who take refuge in Him. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

32

Tuesday 25th April 2017 1 Peter: 5/5-14 Psalm: 89/1-2,5-6, 15-16 Mark:16/15-20 The First Proclamation In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen.....

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Gaze on Jesus Let us look upon our glorious Master the Christ and contemplate on His orientation in the Holy Word today.

Humility - a minority definition of this word states "as that of being utterly truthful of your place in the scheme of things". In other words, the state of mind of an individual who has learnt to deny the false self - the ego - our sense of being separate; paving the pathway to enabling unity with the greater self.

St. Mark, Evangelist

So, humility preserves peace and order in all Christian cburches and societies - as we enter in to truth that we are part of One Body, and each in a unique way contribute to the well-being of the collective being. The reality that we exist Un Him, Through Him and For Him. Pride, a set of thought patterns which are fundamentally defensive, generated to offset/nullify the erroneous beliefs/ feelings of unworthiness, disturbs our collective being in that they aggravate our erroneous beliefs of separateness.

Where God gives grace to be humble, He will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and be reconciled to God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition. Like a machine running smoothly and well when it conforms to its specifications, we too, who are His creatures will experience our worthiness and connectedness when we abide in His Word.

What difficulties will not the firm belief of His wisdom, power and goodness get over! Then be humble under His hand. Cast "all your cares", personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God. The remedy is, to cast our cares upon God, and leave every event to His wise and gracious disposal.

Prayer Starter I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that Your steadfast love is established forever; Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

33

Wednesday 26th April 2017 Acts: 5/17-26 Psalm:34/1-8 John:3/16-21

hope. For we do not have a God who is distant and unconcerned about the world, but who cares for the world.

He is always concerned about our salvation and would hold back nothing The Gospel Proclamation to realize it.

"For God so loved the world The life of Jesus is light that clarthat he gave his only Son, so that ifies, that exposes, that reveals that everyone who believes in him may loves the truth. Our lives must be a not perish but may have eternal life. form of preaching by our deeds that "Indeed, God did not send the are truthful, life giving and freeing Son into the world to condemn the world and all people. God's Son the world, but in order that the was given so that we could give Him world might be saved through him. again and again.

Those who believe in him are not In the first reading we see that condemned; but those who do not Peter and John are arrested but they believe are condemned already, be- are freed by the Spirit at night and told cause they have not believed in the to preach. They obey and are arrested name of the only Son of God. And again the next day but the power of this is the judgment, that the light the Word cannot be imprisoned. The has come into the world, and people angel of God opened the prison gate loved darkness rather than light be- and set them free. They preached the cause their deeds were evil. For all Good News. They too experienced that who do evil hate the light and do not deep spiritual freedom which enabled come to the light, so that their deeds them to get out with courage and teach may not be exposed. But those who the Word of God. They saw the light in do what is true come to the light, so the darkness. that it may be clearly seen that their We are today in a disillusioned deeds have been done in God." world. Although light has come into Prayerful Awareness the world people prefer darkness to the light because their deeds are evil. We According to the Gospel reading are striving to get to the top, competiof today, Jesus is preaching to Nico- tion everywhere. As such no righteousdemus about the love that God has for ness and justice. Children are taught the world and all its peoples. God is wrong values. Most of the people are the God of life and in Jesus this new caught up in the worldly pleasures and life is shared with all human beings. they have no time for God. They are in When John declares that God so loved spiritual darkness. They are not alive the world that He gave His only Son", to Jesus, who is living. This love alone he makes two assertions about God's can give peace and consolation. love. He emphasizes the manner in Prayer Starter which God chose to express His love i.e. by sending His own Son. Secondly, Father God, let us be more and He speaks of the degree to which God more in the presence of Your Son Jesus loved the world, i.e. He sends His so that we could avoid temptation and Son not to judge the world but to save divert our thoughts and actions for the it, which should fill us with joy and deliverance of the poor. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

34

Thursday 27th April 2017 Acts: 5/27-33 Psalm:34/1,8,16-19 John:3/31-36 The First Proclamation When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. 'We gave you a strong warning', he said, 'not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt for this man's death on us.' In reply Peter and the apostles said, 'Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, whom you executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.' This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Spirit of God, You who move the faithful in ever so wondrous ways, do move me and our community to be evermore faithful and fruitful ‌.

We humans have this perennial inclination to be in denial. Look at the High Priest's expressed desire here to avoid responsibility for sending Jesus to his death. It is the priesthood who schemed so long and so hard to bring to an end the ministry of Jesus; and finally actively aroused the rabble to demand the death sentence for Jesus from Pilate; and issued instructions for the suppression of the truth; the cover-up.

The disciples however would have none of that! They, inspired by the Holy

Spirit of God, boldly stood by the Truth.

They proclaimed far and wide the truth, as they witnessed it and as was revealed to them by the Spirit. They were truly inspired. There was no room for fear in their psyche. They considered it an honour and their calling to obey God, come what may.

Let us now peek inwards and try to assess which camp we are presently living in!

Do we betray truth and honesty for personal gain? What are we ready to do to safeguard our privileges or to get more thereof? How often do we resort to lies and subterfuge; to betraying and sacrificing sound principles and our fellow-man in seeking our worthiness? How much do we crave the feelings engendered by 'Lording it over the Other', and scheme to be the 'Cock of the Walk'? Do we carry out our duties with due diligence and earn an honest wage? The career we have chosen- does it reflect the values enshrined by Jesus, in service and love towards our fellow-man and Abba Father's creation? How much do we value creature comforts and move away from nature and it's flow, denying the simplicity espoused by our Lord? We are after-all followers of the Lord who gave up heavenly glory and took abode with humanity in a manger! Do we dare to stand by the truth, togetherness and wholeness at the risk of loosing our material blessings and privileges? Even at the risk of loosing our freedom and life and limb? Your choice!

Prayer Starter I stand before the reality that the Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to his hands. That anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and that anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: I choose to stand by the Son, the Truth and the Way!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

35

Friday 28th April 2017 St.Peter Chanel, St.Louis Mary de Grignion de Montfort they had them flogged. Then they orActs: 5/34-42 dered them not to speak in the name of Psalm:27/1,4,13-14 Jesus and let them go. As they left the John:6/1-15 council, they rejoiced that they were St. Peter Chanel He was born in France on 12th July 1803. As a student at the Parish Priest's Latin school and as a seminarian he excelled in his studies. A certain Bishop once commented, "He has a heart of gold with the simple faith of a child and leads the life of an angel." He became a Marist missionary in 1831. The island of Futuna, New Bebrideas, was entrusted to this congregation. His work was well received by the people but the chieftain was against him. He was clubbed to death and the body was chopped to pieces.

Nevertheless, the whole island became Christian within two years. Beatified in 1889. Canonized in 1954.

The First Proclamation But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, "Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men.

For some time ago Theodas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him, but he was killed and all who followed him, were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them - in that case you may even be found against God!" They were convinced by him, and when they had called in the apostles,

considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name. And everyday in the temple and at home, they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Prayerful Awareness In Gamaliel, a Pharisee, the disciples found an unexpected helper or mediator.

Although the Saducees were wealthy collaborationists and always wanted to preserve their status, the Pharisees had no political ambitions. Gamaliel visited Our Lord in secret in the night. He saw the Redeemer in Him. In this conflict between the apostles and the Sanhedrin he came to the scene and made his presence felt and a thing they could not do away with. The way Gamaliel was directed and the way he responded to the Holy Spirit was really wonderful. He let the Holy Spirit to speak through him. The two examples put forward - Theudas and Judas - were really noteworthy in this case. The Sanhedrin listened to him and decided to set the disciples free but only after a severe warning not to repeat their witness to the risen Lord. Their happiness knew no bounds and they demonstrated their loyalty to the Master. "No cross, now crown".

In the Gospel proclamation we have the multiplication of loaves and fishes.

This was a test of faith of the two apostles Philip and Andrew. Philip's response was a sad, miserable one, whereas Andrew came out with flying colours. He gave Jesus what was available and wanted Him to do the needful. The little we have - yes, Jesus needs it. Let us offer Him that little plus ourselves and miracles will happen.

Prayer Starter Give us strength to do what is expected of us. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

36

Saturday 29th April 2017 St.Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor Acts: 6/1-7 Psalm: 33/1-2,4-5 18-19 John: 6/16-21 The First Proclamation As the numbers of the disciples were growing, there was a quarrel between the Greek speaking Jews and the native Jews. The Greek speaking Jews claimed that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of funds. So the twelve apostles called the whole group of believers together and said, it is not right for us to neglect the preaching of God’s word in order to handle finances. So then brothers and sisters, choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom and we will put them in charge of this matter. We ourselves then will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching.

Our sonship To our community life: Here in the first reading the disciples are caught up in a crisis. They pray and turn to the Lord for wisdom. They get the wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit about their priority to preach the Good News.

Therefore, they appoint welfare leaders who are led by the Holy Spirit to work on the welfare aspect of the community. They recognize that welfare work always could lead to misunderstanding, hence a group of people who are led by the Spirit who will have the discernment of the Lord are appointed in welfare work of the community.

To our personal lives: The word assures us that in our frightening moments, we could anticipate Jesus to be there and He will make an appearance in our helplessness to show us the way.

Let us be confident and be comforted

that we are His chosen desire. Alleluia!

Gospel Proclamation When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and went back across the lake towards Capernaum. Night came on, and Jesus still had not come to them. By then a strong wind was blowing and stirring up the water.

The disciples had rowed about five or six kilometers when they saw Jesus walking on the water, coming near the boat and they were terrified. “Don’t be afraid” Jesus told them “it is I”.

Gaze at Jesus Before we had Google maps, often when we traveled outstation as a family, we have found situations; we were confused about our direction on very lonely roads. Then we would stop and wait for direction and there always have been another passer by either on foot or vehicle who has been willing to lead us. When this happened in the very first trip, we were overjoyed with praise.

Here in the Gospel too is a comparable situation where Jesus is making a sudden appearance when the disciples were confused and frightened.

Prayer Starter All you that are righteous shout for joy for what the Lord has done. Praise him all you that obey him.

Give thanks to the Lord with harps; sing to him with stringed instruments.

The words of the Lord are true and all his works are dependable.

The Lord loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth.

The Lord watches over those who obey him, those who trust in His constant love.

He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

37

Sunday 30th April 2017 Third Sunday of Easter, National Small Christian Community Day Ps. Week III Then one of them, named Cleopas, Acts:2/14,22-33 answered him, “Are you the only visPsalm: 16/1-2,5,7-11 itor to Jerusalem who does not know 1 Peter: 1/17-21 the things that have happened there Luke: 24/13-35 in these days?” … “Concerning Jesus Introduction We are told that we are living in the post modern era. Following are some characteristics of this era, suggesting there are no absolutes, everything is in a state of flux. There is nothing that could be called absolutely good or bad, right or wrong. It all depends on the individual, who is responsible only to himself, to decide on a moment to moment basis, from situation to situation, and from issue to issue. Post modernism says that there is no connection between individuals nor connections to the past or future.

We are isolated, disconnected individuals, born accidentally, left to tend for ourselves. Nobody also is responsible for anyone else. This is as I understand the essence of what post-modernism wants us to accept as reality.

Today’s proclamations tell us the opposite, that the past is connected to the present …. We live in a personalized universe, where there is a person – God – in Charge. Let us therefore enter into the liturgy of today praising the Lord our God by singing/reciting the entrance antiphon.

“Let all the earth cry out with joy; praise the glory of His name; proclaim His glorious praise, Alleluia.”

The Gospel Event: Luke 24/13-35 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, …

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding ….? …

of Nazareth, … Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; …. And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophet have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? …. … “Stay with us, …” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, …. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem, …..

Prayerful Awareness Today we are presented with one of the most powerful episodes of the Risen Lord appearing to His disciples. When we read the episode we meet the Lord trying to make clear to His disciples that what happened in Jerusalem was not outside the plan of God. He reminds them that the prophets had announced the very things that took place. The Risen Lord shows the disciples how everything is so coherent. He is determined, it seems, to convince the disciples that everything that happened had to happen so that the mysterious plan of Yahweh for the salvation of mankind could unfold. The Lord after experiencing in faith, the living presence of God His Abba in all aspects of His life as True Man, now bears witness to the Abba’s strong, constant and faithful Love.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

38

The First Proclamation of God’s Love: Acts 2/14, 22-28 But Peter, … Lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea …. Let this be known to you and give ear to my words. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Men of Israel, fear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, ….

This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, … For David says concerning him, “I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken, …. For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption … Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.

Prayerful Awareness Let us focus on the following words of Peter, “this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God ….” Then Peter goes on to quote king David to prove his point that God is in control, that nothing happens without His permission. Peter who during the time Jesus was on His mission in Palestine was more concerned with a worldly kingdom has now been given a new light to “see” Jesus in a new way.

Let us read the Second Proclamation to get more insight into the way Peter began to experience Jesus and how it affected the way he saw himself and his life.

The Second Proclamation of God’s Love: 1 Peter 11/17-21 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one, ….. conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed …. But with the precious blood of Christ …. He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.

Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Prayerful Awareness The Holy Spirit had taught Peter that there is God whom he called Father, who will be the ultimate judge of his actions. He also accepted that God’s judgment will be fair and just. Therefore he exhorts his community to live not according to their whims and fancies but in conformity with the Will of God. It was not left to the individual to decide as to what was right and wrong, good and bad. It was a matter of seeking the Will of God and obeying in reverent awe. It was like living according to the laws and traditions of one’s own nation while living in another country, in exile so to speak.

Peter is also taught by the Holy Spirit to acknowledge the fact that the ability to see and accept a heritage other than that handed down by ancestors was as a result of a ransom paid in blood.

The Blood of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. Now it is a case of accepting the gift of faith and living in a world where God is in charge, enjoying His multifaceted love.

Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, teach us to live in the world revealed to us by Jesus, where God is in charge and let us say with the Psalmist: I bless the Lord who give me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me I keep the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved Thou dost show me the path of life; in Thy presence there is fullness of joy, in Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Walk in the Spirit Application for obtaining the publication by post.

Name: .....................................................................................................

To be sent to (Address) ..........................................................................

......................................................................................

For six/twelve months from ................. 20 till .............20 Money Order/Cheque for Rs. ............. is sent herewith.

Date: ............... ..................................

Signature

“Walk in the Spirit” Publication Including postage - For six months Rs. 255/=

For 12 months Rs. 510/= Money Orders/Cheques to be drawn only in favour of “Kithudana Pubuduwa” payable at (Post Office) Walpola (W.P.) Pubudu Headquarters - Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama, Sri Lanka.

Tel. No. 011-2230300, 011-5764123 Fax No. 011-2231490 E-Mail: office@pubuduwa.org Web: www.pubuduwa.org Press: Pubudu Press, 452, National Basilica Avenue, Ragama Tel: 011-5288343/344 Fax :011-2958439 E-Mail: press@pubuduwa.org Distribution: Pubudu Publication & Distribution Service Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama.

Tel: 011-2230300, 011-2231490, 011-5764123 Places from which the Walk in the Spirit publication can be obtained: Kithu Dana Pubuduwa, 7th Floor, Paul VI Centre, Malwatte Road, Colombo 11.

011-2325132 / 011-5736240 Sri Ramyaramaya, Palakudawa, Talawila Church 032-3325688 / 032-5678645 Sri Christudharmaramaya, Deduru Oya, Manuwangama, Chilaw 032-2221979 / 032-5675585 Pubudu Nivasa, Dankotuwa 031-3617917 Pubudu Nivasa, Negombo 031-2222256 / 031-5675763 Christu Centre, Ja-Ela 011-2243301 / 011-5736834 Cost: Rs. 20/=