Walk In the Spirit January 2017 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT January 2017 Volume 01 Issue 15

"The Lord is with you. Be awake"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER January 2017

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

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

Sunday 1st January 2017 Numbers:6/22-27 Psalm:67/1-7 Galatians:4/4-7 Luke:2/15-21

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Long years of longing, long years of preparation is coming to a close. The announcement is made. It is Advent; He is coming; The reign of God is coming. Our New year, the Catholic year has begun. We aren’t used to wish one another “a blessed New Year to you” on the first Sunday of Advent. As we move forward from the first Sunday in Advent, we hear the ringing good news of the Lord Himself coming in the flesh. “The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.” As we move further forward, our attention is focused on the closest associate in the Lord’s coming. We are called to celebrate the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Mother of God! What a daunting title! A simple, ordinary young woman is shocked by a salutation that could hold one shocked, amazed and speechless. We call on the Holy Spirit to not shock us, but gently lead us to fix our gaze on the young lady whom the Holy Spirit was turning inside out and effecting immense changes in her body, mind, heart and spirit. She would with joy, though with trepidation, accept and calmly respond: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to Your Word.” It takes time chronologically speaking, for the world to see in the light of the Holy Spirit (call this light

Faith) that what the prophet had uttered down the ages, in the hearing of her forefathers about the Messiah to come, is really come. The Messiah, the Christ, the expectations of the nations was come and He was in her womb. She could feel the movements, the impulses in her body. She brings Him forth for the world to see. (Those with the 7th Eye opened as did with the Wise Men from the East, the poor and simple shepherds and even a Roman soldier did really see. The Roman soldier could fix his gaze on a miserable crucified man and exclaim “This indeed is the Son of God!). The First Proclamation Please read Numbers 6/22-27 prayerfully. Prayerful Awareness Besides our year that begins with Advent, we Catholics join the rest of the world in calling the 1st of January the New Year, as do the Hindus and Buddhists who have another day as their new year or Aluth Avurudha. Therefore we do join others in their celebrations. We would in the words of Moses wish another today: “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.” Let us pause for a while to claim and make our own the blessings thus uttered: “May He keep us” “May He be gracious to us” “May He look kindly on us” and more & more deeply.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

May His face shine on us, as it did on the Blessed Mother today, this day and in the days and months to come.” The Gospel So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived. The poor shepherds may not belong to the clan of the wise. Their eyes of the world’s wisdom haven’t opened, but the 7th Eye has. They see what others don’t see. They join Mary and Joseph in their new understanding. - They understand what had been told them concerning this child - They were astonished at this understanding - They treasure their understanding in their hearts The Second Proclamation But when the right time finally came God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God’s children. To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of

his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Abba Father”. So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children. The doors have opened. Our 7th Eye is wide open. We see the clouds. We see the rains in an outpour over us as well as the gentle touch of the falling dew. The Messiah is come. We are led to the stunning experience of something happening within. Our bonds are broken. We are set free. We receive the Holy Spirit. There is the voice from above. Our minds and hearts aglow, we come to know who we really are. “You are my son and heir ….” I cannot withhold the upsurge of my heart’s response. “Yahweh You are my Abba”. Let us wait on the Lord and call on His Spirit to see the glories of Mary who is told that the Lord is with her. Before the Nations could be summoned to rise and see the glory of the Lord shining on them, there was the humble maid of Nazareth who felt Him in her womb, in her whole being. What an experience and what a manifestation! Before anyone could ever remotely visualize what the ’coming of the Lord’ would be, she, the Blessed Virgin Mother got it. She could verily sing the praises of the Lord ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord ….” Prayer Starter God our Father, may we always have the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary, for You bring us life and salvation through Jesus Christ her Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Monday 2nd January 2017

1 John: 2/22-28 Psalm:98/1-4 John: 1/19-28 The First Proclamation Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father, everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life. ..... And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. The Gospel Proclamation This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not". Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.' as the prophet Isaiah said". Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." .....

Prayerful Awareness The priests and Levites were respected religious leaders in Jerusalem. The leaders that came to see John were Pharisees, a group that both John the Baptist and Jesus often DENOUNCED. They OUTWARDLY obeyed God's Laws to look PIOUS while INWARDLY their hearts were filled with PRIDE and GREED. These leaders came to see John the Baptist for several reasons. (1) As guardians of the faith they wanted to investigate any NEW preaching (2) They wanted to find out if John had the CREDENTIALS of a prophet (3) John had quite a following, and it was growing. They were probably JEALOUS and wanted to see why this man was so POPULAR. The leaders kept pressing John to say who he was because people were expecting the Messiah to come. But John emphasized, he had come - TO PREPARE the WAY for the Messiah. The Pharisees missed the point. They wanted to know WHO JOHN was, but John wanted them to know WHO JESUS WAS. They were asking who gave John the right to treat God's chosen people like Gentiles. John said "I baptize with WATER" - he was merely helping the people perform a SYMBOLIC ACT of repentance. But soon ONE would come who would truly FORGIVE SINS, something ONLY the SON OF GOD - the MESSIAH could do. John said he was not even worthy to be Christ's slave to perform the humble task of unfastening His shoes. When we truely understand who Christ is, our pride and self importance melt away. Prayer Starter Almighty Father, give us a purpose for living, and help us to trust You, to guide us and also discover in God's Word the truths, You want us to know. Use us, in a way, no one else could ever use.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Tuesday 3rd January 2017

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

1 John: 2/29-3/6 Psalm:98/1, 36 John: 1/29-34 OR Philippians:2/1-11 Psalm:8/4-9 Luke:2/21-24 The First Proclamation If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him. See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this; when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Prayerful Awareness

point out that we are children of God and not merely called so. We are part of His creation, created to His very likeness and by His grace we become His children. In the Old Testament we have the picture - covenant. God made a special approach to the people of Israel, all on His initiation. There is the uniqueness on both sides - God's, Israel's. This relationship depended on keeping His Law. In the New Testament we have the idea of adoption. God deliberately made the act of adoption whereby every Christian is a member of that family (1 Corinthians 1:9). "The New Testament uses several expressions to characterise the Beatitudes to which God calls man - the coming of the Kingdom of God; the vision of God "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God; entering into the joy of the Lord - entering into God's rest. There we shall rest and see, we shall see and love, we shall love and praise. Behold what will be at the end without end. For what other end do we have, if not to reach the Kingdom which has no end?" (C.C.C. 1720) Some basic truths about sin are mentioned. Sin is defined as obeying oneself rather than God. It is a deliberate breaking of Law. When we fail to abide in Christ we sin. So as long as we are in the continual presence of Jesus, we will not sin. Christ is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29). So to sin means to bring back what Christ came into the world to do away with. Prayer Starter

The righteousness of our lives is the only way to prove that we are abiding in Christ. Loyalty as well as faith can be proved right or wrong by practice. This righteousness irrespective of religion, is open to all. "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness..." Help us to be obedient children of (Genesis 1:26) What a privilege it is God. Amen. to be children of God. John goes on to

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Wednesday 4th January 2017

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

1 John: 3/7-10 Psalm: 98/1, 7-9 John:1/35-42 The First Proclamation Children, do not let anyone lead you astray. Whoever acts uprightly is upright, just as he is upright. Whoever lives sinfully belongs to the devil, ...This was the purpose of the appearing of the Son of God, to undo the work of the devil. No one who is a child of God sins because God's seed remains in him. Nor can he sin, because he is a child of God. ...: whoever does not live uprightly and does not love his brother is not from God. The Gospel Proclamation The next day as John stood there again with two of his disciples, Jesus went past, and John looked towards him and said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God.' .... Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, 'What do you want?' They answered, 'Rabbi'.... 'where do you live?' He replied, 'Come and see'; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him that day. .... One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother and say to him, 'We have found the Messiah' -- and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas' -- which means Rock. Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You O Lord Holy Spirit for guiding us towards the Truth! In the Gospel today, a seeker of the truth, encounters the Truth... In the scripture today, we find Andrew, the brother of Simon, following and being a disciple of John the Baptist. I

would presume that in the same way that you and I search for happiness, for peace, for fulfilment and the meaning of our lives, Andrew too was searching. In his search, he had finally turned to John the Baptist, and had found at least in some measure, what he had been searching for! So he is identified as a disciple of John in the scripture. And when John identifies Jesus as the 'Lamb of God', Andrew follows the given guidance, and goes behind Jesus. And asks what seems like a really silly question; is Andrew's real question about where the Rabbi lives? I presume not. But, having followed Jesus, Andrew finds the answer to his real question; who and what Jesus is; the identity of Jesus. So in his search, Andrew finds the person of Truth; Jesus the Christ; the Messiah. And thereby, start on the journey towards re-discovering his own identity. Here we come to the message of love in the first reading, which essentially reveals to us our own true identity. Regardless of what we believe, the truth is that we were created to be Children of God. We are divine, because our Creator (whom Jesus related to and named as our Father), the source of our being, is divine. The question then becomes very simple; to what extent are we ready to believe/accept our true identity? Are we ready to embrace our spiritual nature, and practice mastery over the desires of the flesh we inhabit for now? Do we believe that we are capable of being in love with God, His Creation and Our Brethren? This is the test we face in the 'Now'! Prayer Starter Thank You Lord Holy Spirit for awakening us and for reminding us of our true nature and inheritance. Turn us again and again towards this truth.....

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Thursday 5th January 2017

1 John:3/11-21 Psalm:100/1-5 John:1/43-51

Psalm: 100/1-5 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth Worship the Lord with glad ness Come before Him with joyful songs Know that the Lord is God It is He who made us, and we are His; We are His people the sheep of His pasture Enter His gates with thanks giving And His courts with praise Give thanks to Him and praise His Name For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations Prayerful Awareness

St. John Neuman, Bishop

CENTRE of their own, little world. This mind-set leads to a GREEDY possessiveness and if everything should be taken away, a LOSS of HOPE itself. But, when we realize that GOD CREATED US and gives us ALL we have, we will want to give OTHERS as God gave to us (2 Corinthians 9:8). (“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”) People may HESITATE to give GENEROUSLY to God if they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs. The person who gives only a LITTLE will receive only a LITTLE in RETURN. Lack of FAITH keeps from giving freely and generously. If all is lost we still HAVE GOD and all He gives us. God alone is worthy of being WORSHIPPED. Let us reflect on our attitude to worship. Do we willingly and joyfully come into God’s presence or are we just going through the motions, reluctantly going to church. This psalm tells us to REMEMBER God’s GODNESS and DEPENDABILITY and then to worship with thanksgiving and PRAISE and WORSHIP HIM. Prayer Starter

This sacred song is to give THANKS. An INVITATION to enter joyfully into God’s presence. His FAITHFULNESS extends to OUR generation and BEYOND. Let everything that has breath, God is our Creator, we did not praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. create ourselves. Many people live Give thanks to the God of heaven. as though they are the creator and

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Friday 6th January 2017 1 John:5/5-13 Psalm: 147/12-15, 19-20 Mark: 1/7-11 OR Luke:3/23-28 OR Luke:3/23,31-34,36,38 The Gospel Procamation When Jesus began His ministry He was about thirty years of age. He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Jounan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of …….( Please read up to vs.38 )….the son of Adam, the son of God. Prayerful Awareness It was predicted in Isaiah 9: 5 - 6, “a child was to be born, given to them; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him wonder-Counselor. God-Heroy Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains. By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the

Lord of hosts will do this”. In the Genealogy given by St. Mathew 1:1-17 , Jesus Christ is addressed as the son of Joseph, the Foster father appointed by God to look after and raise His Son, and St. Joseph was from King Solomon the first son of King David. In the genealogy given by St. Luke, Jesus Christ is shown as from the generation of Nathan the third son of King David, a son of Abraham who in turn was a son of Adam the first man God created. Since Virgin Mary was from the generation of Nathan, the third son of David and Bathsheba, this genealogy is more accepted as the genealogy of Jesus from the side of the Holy Mother, also a descendant of King David. Tradition followed according to Numbers 36: 6 -12 also tells us that Holy Mary too was a descendant of King David, as an only daughter had to marry within her own family so as to secure the right of inheritance. Thus when we compare both genealogies given in St. Mathew 1, and St. Luke 3 we find that Jesus had a right to the throne of Israel by both His mother and His earthly father. This shows what plans God had made, in order to chose Virgin Mary to carry His only Son, the Son of God, making her the Queen of heaven, whom Lord Jesus so generously shared with us to make her be our Mother as well. Prayer Starter Virgin Mary full of Grace, Mother Dearest, You became the mother of our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ, agreeing to God’s Will, totally giving yourself to God, ready to face any and all consequences that you have to face. Dearest Mother, Teach us, Guide us and Raise us also, like you raised your Son Jesus Christ. Correct us, Nurture us, Help us, and Pray for us, that we may become worthy to join you in Heaven and your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Saturday 7th January 2017

St. Raymond of Penyafort, Priest

1 John: 5/14-21 Psalm: 149/1-6, 9 John: 2/1-11 First Proclamation Our fearlessness towards him consists in this, that if we ask anything in accordance with his will he hears us. And if we know that he listens to whatever we ask him, we know that we already possess whatever we have asked of him……….We are well aware that we are from God, and the whole world is in the power of the Evil One. We are well aware also that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know the One who is true. We are in the One who is true as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and this is eternal life………… Gospel Proclamation On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. And they ran out of wine, ... and the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, ... each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' and they filled them to the brim. Then he said to them, 'Draw some out now and take it to the president of the feast.' They did this; the president tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from -- though the servants who had drawn the water knew -- ..... 'Everyone serves good wine first and the worse wine when the guests are well wined; but you have kept the best wine till now.' This was the first of

Jesus' signs: it was at Cana in Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. Prayerful Awareness It is said that the apostle John wrote in highly symbolic language, and let us meditate on the words in today’s Gospel Proclamation to discern the deeper meanings behind the some of the words/ phrases used. Wine – denotes over flowing happiness, joy, which they had run out of. Mother Mary tells Jesus they have run out of wine, and Jesus says, ‘my time has not come yet'; i.e. the time has not yet come to pour forth His Spirit. Water jars – for ritual purification, baptism with water. Number 6 denotes evil, incompleteness, needing the Lord to complete the process, to transform our incompleteness to overflowing joy given to us through His wine, i.e. His salvific / purifying Blood, and the Holy Spirit. Mother Mary tells the servants (us) to do whatever He tells, so that we may receive His overflowing Spirit. Supply of wine for the wedding feast is the bridegroom’s responsibility. The good / best wine is given by Jesus, i.e. He is the real groom, symbolising the wedding feast of the Lord and His Church (all who follow Him). Song of Praise (Psalm 149/1-6) Alleluia! Sing a new song to Yahweh: his praise in the assembly of the faithful! Israel shall rejoice in its Maker, the children of Zion delight in their king; they shall dance in praise of his name, play to him on tambourines and harp! For Yahweh loves his people, he will crown the humble with salvation. The faithful exult in glory, shout for joy as they worship him, praising God to the heights with their voices…

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Sunday 8th January 2017

The Epiphany of the Lord

Isaiah: 60/1-6 Psalm:72/1-2 7-8,10-13 Ephesians:3/2-3, 5-6 Matthew: 2/1-12 Introduction

from Midian and Ephah. Those from Sheba will come, bringing with them gold and incense all singing the praise of Yahweh. Prayerful Awareness

The prophet Isaiah proclaims more than 500 years before the birth of Our Lord that the Glory of Yahweh will rise upon Jerusalem, the city chosen by Him for His people. Jesus must have sung this hymn with the pilgrims that gathered in Jerusalem for the great feasts. Did His parents tell Him about the coming of the Magi from far away lands, when He was born bringing costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, that He was adored by those non Jews and accepted as the Son of God, Son of Man and King of all? He was sad, that Jerusalem did not arise and shine out and accept its glory when He came as its Messiah and Jesus wept. But He foresaw the new Jerusalem peopled by all God’s faithful children redeemed by Him The Lord and the ruler is coming; and glorified as His bride eternally. kingship is his, and government and (Revelation 21/-27). The Gospel Proclamation power. It is significant that as soon as an year begins, the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is at the Epiphany that Jesus as an infant was adored by the Magi who came from distant lands to adore Him as God, Man and King. They represented the people of the whole world whom He came to redeem. Today we proclaim Him Savior of the whole human race and though we don’t have costly gifts to offer Him, as the Magi did, yet we can commit our lives again to Him today, to proclaim the Good News which He has entrusted to us in our thoughts, words and deeds. Let us join all the faithful and sing the entrance song. Entrance Song

The First Proclamation Arise, shine, for your Light has come. The glory of Yahweh rises upon you…. Nations will come to your Light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes round about and see they are all gathered and come to you together …. The riches of the sea will be turned to you … The wealth of the nations will come to you ….. A flood of camels will cover you, caravans

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the new-born king of the Jews? We saw the rising of His star in the East and have come to honour Him.” When Herod heard this, he was greatly disturbed, and with him all the people in Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high ranking priests and experts of

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

the Law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea for this is what the prophet wrote”. And you Bethlehem land of Judah you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader the one who is to shepherd my people Israel …. After the meeting with the king, they set out. The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was …. They went into the house and when they saw the child with Mary His mother, they knelt and worshipped Him. They opened their bags and offered Him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh ….. Prayerful Awareness

think they can even destroy God. Like whom was I during Christmas? The shepherds, the Wise Men, Herod, the Chief Priests or even the people in Jerusalem who were disturbed to hear about the birth of the Messiah they were longing for, but could not be bothered to accompany the Wise Men to see Him. The Second Proclamation

You may have heard of the grace bestowed on me for your sake. By a revelation He gave me the knowledge of His mysterious design … This mystery was not made known to past generations but only now, through revelations given to holy apostles and prophets. Now the born-Jewish people share the inheritance; in Christ Jesus the non-Jews It is strange to reflect on those who are incorporated and are to enjoy came to honour Jesus at His birth. St. the Promise. Luke records that the shepherds – the Prayerful Awareness downtrodden, marginalized simple What does St. Paul proclaim to the people who were informed by an non-Jewish community of Christians angel about the birth of the Messiah, hurriedly went to Bethlehem and in Ephesus? He reminds them of the found the Baby lying in a manger mysterious encounter he had with the and returned giving glory and praise Messiah, the Risen Lord Jesus which to God for all they had heard and transformed him completely, his way seen. (Luke 1/8-10). Today’s Good of life, ideas and values. His one aim News proclaims how the Wise Men in life was to proclaim the Good News from the East followed a star to find of the risen Lord Jesus Christ to as the Messiah. It is simple God-fearing many people as possible. Jesus Christ people, wise with the wisdom of God is the Redeemer and Lord of all. There who search God and long to encoun- is no distinction between the Jews and ter Him, praise and glorify Him. The the non-Jews. All who encounter Him worldly wise like the chief priests who and accept Him as Lord inherit the “know” and are experts in the Law eternal life of love. and prophesies turn a deaf ear and Prayer Starter blind eye to occasions encountering Abba Father, thank You for revealthe Redeemer. Others like Herod ing Your Son to me. May He redeem steeped in power, wealth and prestige me to inherit Your sonship eternally

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Monday 9th January 2017

The Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah: 42/1-4, 6-7 Psalm: 29/1-4, 9-10 Acts:10/34-38 Matthew:3/13-17 The First Proclamation Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench, he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth, and the coastlands wait for his teaching. I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness. I have taken you by the hand and kept you, I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Prayerful Awareness This is what the Spirit of the Lord had revealed through the prophet Isaiah about five hundred years before the birth of Jesus. The very words would have made Jesus to believe that they are for no other than Himself. Henceforth Jesus believed that He was the chosen One in whom the Father God delighted. He would bring justice to the nations. He will not waver until He has established justice on earth. The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented

him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness". Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Prayerful Awareness Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Why did Jesus, the sinless One submit Himself to John's baptism? John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 8:3). Although Jesus is sinless He identified Himself with the sinful humanity. With this act He affirms that He is with us in our human condition and He understands fully what it means to be human. Jesus' Baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of His mission as Father God's Suffering Servant. He allowed Himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted Himself entirely to His Father's wish. Out of love He consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. The Father proclaimed His delight in His Son and spoke for all to hear. The Holy Spirit too was present as He anointed Jesus for His ministry which began that day as He rose from the waters of the Jordan river. Jesus will be the Spirit for all who come to believe in Him. Prayer Starter We thank You Father God for giving us Your Son Jesus and to experience His living presence. Amen

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Tuesday 10th January 2017 Feast of St.Agatho Thaumaturgus, Pope, Confessor Hebrews:2/5-12 call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my Psalm: 8/1, 4-8 brothers and sisters, in the midst of Mark: 1/21-28 the congregation I will praise you." St. Agatho Thaumaturgus He was a native of Sicily, Italy. He had been married for some 20 years before he decided to leave this world and become a Benedictine Monk in Palermo and later in Rome. Tradition has it that he was already a centenarian when he ascended the Papal throne in 678. The most important event of his 3-year reign was the sixth Ecumenical Council at Constantinople (680-681). The Pope had already died when the Council's decree in condemnation of Monotheism entered Rome. He has been given the title "Thaumaturgus" because of the numerous miracles and wonders which he worked. The First Proclamation Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, 'What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels, you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to

Prayerful Awareness

The centre of creation is man as God has made him in His own image and likeness - thus he is God's real masterpiece - equipped with free will, to love, to forgive and to make judgements. He is free to engage in joyful dialogue with Him. With the power and intelligence given to man by the creator, he has conquered the sea, the sky and made his living comfortable through a number of modern devices. The dominion mentioned in the Psalm has come true. Then comes 'but' - how different the actual situation is! A free creation - he has invented destruction even mass destruction, instead of freedom he has chosen slavery. He has disfigured himself by yielding to mean pleasures. Though strong he is weak and is a slave to sin. Often he prefers hatred to love. Thus he has miserably failed to be the master in his own home. God intervenes here with an answer and that answer is in His own Son - Jesus Christ. Our salvation is in Him - the pioneer. The path to glory is in Him. Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters and He wants us to consider all (both near and far) our brothers and sisters. For this there should not be barriers. In the Gospel text we have Jesus making use of available means to preach. He did not wait for the ideal but was content to make a start. In our work of taking the Word to others we have to follow Him. Jesus' mission also included freeing us from the influence of the devil. We are under this influence in various degrees. Let us ask Jesus to free us completely from the clutches of the devil. Prayer Starter Help us to love and care for the creation You have entrusted to us. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Wednesday 11th January 2017 Hebrews:2/14-18

Psalm: 105/1-4,6-9 Mark:1/29-39 The First Proclamation Since all the children share the same human nature, he too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could set aside him who held the power of death, namely the devil, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself the line of Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way be made completely like his brothers so that he could become a compassionate and trustworthy high priest for their relationship to God, able to expiate the sins of the people. For the suffering he himself passed through while being put to the test enables him to help others when they are being put to the test. Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You O Holy Spirit for speaking to us today about a foundational issue we have due to our fall... God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, the source from whom all emerged, the real substance of all that is, is in an unending and unbreakable relationship with His creation; with himself. By being created, the creation does NOT become separate from the Creator (as we would tend to perceive) since it is a part of the Creator; is Himself. We have however accepted the belief, and have gotten used to the perception of separateness. We perceive ourselves as being separate from God, His creation, and our brethren. We turn away from our true identity and instead, choose to identify ourselves with our

bodies, our emotions, our habitual thought patterns, our given and or active relationships, our possessions, and our varied accomplishments etc., locked up and limited to our sensory impressions. This perception of separateness IS one of our foundational issues; a main stay of our fallen nature. It is an illusion fostered by the Liar, and accepted as the truth by us. In Truth, we are never separate. Each of us individually is a microcosm of the whole, a localisation of the Presence of God. Divinity lives in each and every one of us, and we are called upon to become aware of this inner dwelling presence of the Source. It is for this that God became flesh, reaching out to us in a tangible manner through our primary senses. God became One with Us in the presence of Jesus, in the truest sense. He was born as one of us, lived amongst us as one of us even while experiencing the Creator as a loving Abba, loved us to the last drop of blood and water in his body, died, and was raised conquering the strongest threat wielded by the Liar- that of death. The purpose for his becoming flesh is â&#x20AC;&#x153;so that he could become a compassionate and trustworthy high priest for their relationship to Godâ&#x20AC;?. He has a perfect understanding of the varied tests we all go through, an in-depth knowledge of the traps of the Liar. Our flawed relationship with the Creator due to the illusion of separateness, our erroneous identity we've crafted based on this illusion, has to Go! The Living Word-Jesus, is to become incarnate within each one of us, bridging this Gap. Keep the Word close to you; use it as a Mantra; become healed! Prayer Starter Thank You O Holy Spirit! I am in You, and You are in me....!!!! We are in a relationship; we are One!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Thursday 12th January 2017 Hebrews:3/7-14

Psalm: 95/6-11 Mark:1/40-45 Gospel Proclamation A leper came to Him ( and kneeling down ) begged Him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand, touched Him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left Him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, He dismissed him at once. Then He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed ; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to Him from everywhere. Prayerful Awareness Lord Jesus Christ was approached by this leper to make his request. But, the question is, who gave him the authority to approach Lord Jesus, breaking all rules, as lepers had to keep away from normal people. And the other question is, when most of the Pharisees and the learned in the society rejected and condemned Lord Jesus, who informed him that Lord Jesus had the power to cure him. From the above scripture it is apparent that the leper knew that Jesus was Lord. This is why he knelt down and also made his request as “if you wish”, to say ‘according to Lord’s Will’, which we

attribute to God as we have to seek His will. This Wisdom he could have received only through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. As the scripture St. Luke 11:13 reveals, “Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him”. It appears that due to the suffering and the loneliness experienced, the leper must have prayed to God for His Mercy and Help to get rid of the dreadful decease, the only Hope he had. Scripture in St. Luke 18 : 7, also reminds us that “God will secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night”. What do we do, when we encounter a problem. Do we pray and ask God, our Loving Father for Guidance and Help, and keep on praying like the widow, until we get a solution. Or, do we try to follow the teachings of world without patience and try to arrive at our own solution according to our selfish motives, which will never give us the inner peace, that God grants when we pray. Prayer to God strengthens our Faith. When there is Faith we always have Hope, hope that God will do something. When we depend only on God (not man) in prayer, God grants us the Holy Spirit, a fountain of Living Water within us, which will overflow from us to love others. Prayer Starter Abba Father, we know that You grant Your unending Love to us the more we pray to You and depend on You. Grant us Your Spirit of Love, the Holy Spirit to be with us and within us to guide us, to correct us, teach us and control us not to fall into sin and give us wisdom to know the Truth, and do only what is Right, to speak only good words and to have only good thoughts and love others as Lord Jesus Christ Loves us, Thank You Father, Amen

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Friday 13th January 2017

St. Hilary, Bishop & Doctor

POWER, we too are in danger of turning back. Our own efforts are NEVER ADEQUATE. Only Christ CAN SEE US THROUGH. Today many in our churches, know The First Proclamation a great deal ABOUT Christ, but they Therefore, while the promise of do NOT KNOW Him personally - they entering his rest is still open, let us do not combine their knowledge with take care that none of you should FAITH. Let us trust in Jesus and DO seem to have failed to reach it. For what He says. indeed the good news came to us God rested on the seventh day just as to them; but the message NOT because He was TIRED but to they heard did not benefit them, indicate the COMPLETION of CREbecause they were not united by ATION. The world was PERFECT faith with those who listened. For and God was well SATISFIED with we who have believed enter that it. This rest is a foretaste of our eternal rest, just as God has said, "As in joy when creation will be RENEWED my anger I swore, 'They shall not and restored, every mark of sin will be enter my rest,'" though his works removed, and the world will be made were finished at the foundation of PERFECT again. Our Sabbath rest in the world. For in one place it speaks Christ begins when we TRUST HIM about the seventh day as follows, to complete His good and perfect work "And God rested on the seventh in US. If we trust Christ, we must day from all his works." And again OBEY Hm. TODAY is the best time in this place it says, "They shall not to find peace with God. TOMORROW enter my rest." may be too late. Let us therefore make every efIf Jesus has provided for our REST fort to enter that rest, so that no one through faith, why must we "make evmay fall through such disobedience ery effort to enter that rest"? It refers to as theirs. making every effort to appreciate and Prayerful Awareness BENEFIT from what God has already Some of the Jewish Christians who provided. Salvation is not to be taken received this letter may have been on for granted, to appropriate the gift the verge of TURNING BACK from God offers requires DECISION and their promised REST in Christ, just as COMMITMENT. Prayer Starter the people in Moses' day had turned back from the promised land. In both Almighty and loving Father, we cases, the difficulties of the PRESENT are grateful that we WILL have a MOMENT, overshadowed the REAL- place with You one day. Thank You that ITY of God's promise, and the people You will fill us with Joy in Your Holy doubted that God would fulfil His Presence. We value the TIME You give promises. When we trust our OWN us - to prepare for eternal rest. EFFORTS, instead of CHRIST's Hebrews:4/1-5. 11 Psalm: 78/3-4, 6-8 Mark: 2/1-12

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Saturday 14th January 2017 Hebrews:4/12-16 Psalm: 19/7-9, 14 Mark: 2/13-17 Gospel Proclamation .... As he was walking along he saw Levi ... sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him. When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at table with Jesus and his disciples; .... Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' When Jesus heard this he said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners.' Song of Praise (Psalm 19/7-9, 14) The Law of Yahweh is perfect, refreshment to the soul; the decree of Yahweh is trustworthy, wisdom for the simple. The precepts of Yahweh are honest, joy for the heart; the commandment of Yahweh is pure, light for the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is pure, lasting for ever; the judgements of Yahweh are true, upright, every one. ...... Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively where the central theme is our Abba Father’s unconditional love and mercy towards us! As we read in today’s Psalm, God’s Law is perfect, and trustworthy, and is given to us for our own good. If we follow His precepts, we will reap love, joy, peace, etc., i.e. all the fruits of the Spirit described by St. Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, the foremost of which is Love, love for God, and love for fellow beings. We are expected to love like the Father’s Love for us, which is constant and unconditional. When we come to

this understanding, we come to realize the extent we all fall short of this perfect Love. That is why the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews says: “The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword: it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing is hidden from him; everything is uncovered and stretched fully open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves.” But the Good News is, despite our constant failing to live up to the standards of God’s Love, God is merciful and forgiving. God’s infinite Love is manifest in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and sacrificed His Life as ransom for the restoration of our lost heritage (John 3:16), whereby we have been granted His Holy Spirit to help and guide us to enable us to accomplish the seemingly impossible (John, chapter 14). And Jesus demonstrated this Love in His earthly mission, by having fellowship with so called sinners and outcasts of society, as we read in the Gospel narratives. And Jesus says there is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner that ninety nine who consider themselves righteous. And Jesus Christ our Lord is our High Priest who constantly intercedes on our behalf, as stated in today’s First Proclamation: “Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must hold firm to our profession of faith. For the high priest we have is not incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, but has been put to the test in exactly the same way as ourselves, apart from sin. Let us, then, have no fear in approaching the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace when we are in need of help.” Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Sunday 15h January 2017

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah: 49/3, 5-6 Psalm:40/1, 3, 6-9 1 Corinthians:1/1-3 John: 1/29-34 Introduction The year of the Church began with the first Sunday of Advent, followed by the Christmas season. With the baptism of Jesus in the Spirit, we made entry into what is called “Ordinary time” until Lent arrives. It is significant that ‘Ordinary Time” begins with the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan as if to say that the Lord’s Baptism in the Spirit heralds the importance of the ordinary days, hours and minutes of our lives. We are today at the second milepost – the Second Sunday in Ordinary time. What is available to us at this station? Our food is from Isaiah 49/3, 5-6; Psalm 40/1, 3, 6-9; 1 Corinthians1/1-3 and John 1/2/9-34. May the Holy Spirit re-activate the power of His presence within and among us as we proceed to take our food. “May all the earth give you worship and praise, and break into song to our name, O God Most High.” Let us pray: Almighty and ever present Father, Your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate Your loving plans. Help us to embrace Your Will, give us the strength to follow Your call, so that Your truth may live I our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in Your Love.

The First Proclamation The Lord said to me, “You are my servant, Israel in whom I shall be glorified.” I was honored in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength. He who formed me in the womb to be His servant to bring Jacob to Him, to gather Israel to Him. “It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel”. I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Prayerful Awareness Let there be a rising of awareness of our own Holy Spirit baptism. May the Holy Spirit lead us to shift focus to Jesus reading this passage. We would see Jesus in rapt attention listening to Yahweh speaking to Him. “You are my servant in whom I shall be glorified.” Jesus is responding: I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, Yahweh was my strength. It is He who formed me in the womb to be His servant.” Jesus is listening: “It is not enough for you to be my servant …. I will make you the light of the nations that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Let us now in the Holy Spirit dialogue with Jesus. He is so true a faithful, loyal Son that He is verily an obedient servant, committed to the proclamation and establishment of the Rule of God – the Most High, “Jesus, share with us Your Holy Spirit, more and more and more.“ The Gospel Proclamation “Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, “Look, there is the

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water.” John also declared, “I saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the One who is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit.” Yes I have seen and I am the witness that He is the chosen One of God. Prayerful Awareness

Jesus You have baptized me with the Holy Spirit when I was an infant. You strengthened my baptism when I was Confirmed. You renew its power when I receive the Sacraments. You do so, so very often when I call upon You to hover and overshadow me when I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. May I always be one led by the Spirit (Romans 8/14). The Second Proclamation

“I Paul appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the Church of God in Corinth, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to Our Lord Jesus Christ for He s their Lord no less than ours. May Holy Spirit lead me to enter into God our Father and the Lord Jesus the inner experience of Jesus as He Christ send you grace and peace.” opened out His human body, mind and Prayerful Awareness Spirit to Your invasion form above. The Corinthian Christian comJesus, You were never without the munity is privileged to take its place Holy Spirit. You were conceived by among all the saints everywhere. St. the Spirit n the womb of the blessed Paul calls the Christians “saints” for Mother. Your 30 years in Nazareth indeed they are by reason of their was in the Spirit. We recall with love baptism in the Spirit. Nevertheless, York visit to the Temple in Jerusalem, they are sinners too, that is their exwhen Yu were but 12 years old. You perience. We are saints and sinners at did speak in the Holy Spirit when You the same time. A paradox that finds told Your mother, ‘Did you not know resolution in the heart of the Mystery that I have to be in my father’s house.” that is God revealed in the cross. Now to come to the big event in Prayer Starter Your life – Your Baptism in the Jordan – this must have been a topping expeAbba, Father, we thank You for rience for you. I am inclined to think Jesus. We thank You for the experience that You were not taken unawares, given to the man Jesus on the day of though, perhaps, You did have a hunch is Baptism. We are eternally grateful that something momentous was going to You for our Baptism in Your Holy to happen with Your decision to be a Spirit. May we always be led by Him follower of John the Baptist. You were as we go along looking forward to the to be told by John that You were “the coming of the reign of God in our lives One” who is going to baptize with the and in our society …. Holy Spirit.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Monday 16th January 2017 Hebrews: 5/1-10 Psalm: 110/1-4 Mark: 2/18-22 The Gospel Proclamation Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day..... Prayerful Awareness Through the argument that ensued, after the Pharisees found fault with the disciples of Jesus for not fasting, Jesus brings out a radical teaching. It is that the period beginning with the coming of Jesus into this world has to be considered as a totally different era and not a continuation of the preceding era. Which means, that there is a definite break in history with the coming of Jesus into this world. Just as Summer gives way to Autumn, just as the month of January gives way to the month of February on the 31st day of January, a new era dawns, a new beginning takes place with the coming of Jesus into our world. Jesus wants people to come to this realisation, to awake to this change, to become conscious of this reality. Therefore, the old customs no longer hold true, old traditions no longer need to be kept. Everything becomes new. Jesus tries to explain this reality, with two parables. 'No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, it's fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into

old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins and both the wine and the skins are ruined." (vs.21, 22) - that the era prior to the coming of Jesus symbolised by the old cloak and old wineskins, should not be mixed up with the era that begins with the coming of Jesus, symbolised by the unshrunken cloth and new wine. These two eras need to be considered separately. And so, Jesus explains that the customs that prevailed prior to His coming, namely the custom of fasting, need not be practiced in the era that follows. Fasting is a sign of mourning and would be inappropriate at this time of joy, when Jesus is proclaiming the Kingdom, as it would be at a marriage feast. Jesus' teaching is not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of the Mosaic Law. With the coming of Jesus into the world, the reign of God has come upon the world. This is something new, something that did not exist before. When God's Kingdom dawned, with the advent of Jesus amongst us, things became upside down. Things that never happened before, began to happen. Blind see, lepers healed, cripple walk, sinners forgiven etc. This kind of things were never witnessed during the era prior to the coming of Jesus. This new phenomenon is perhaps what Jesus meant by what He proclaimed when beginning His ministry. "This is the time of fulfilment (of the new era). The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the good news." (Mark 1/15) Repent, yes, change our mind set and believe that the new era has arrived, the old no longer exists. It is all for the good - yes, it is "Good News". Prayer Starter Thank You Holy Spirit for enabling us to see this scripture passage in a new light ....

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Feast of St. Anthony the Great, Abbot, Confessor Prayerful Awareness Hebrews:6/10-20 Psalm:111/1-2,4-5,9-10 The gospel highlights a rift that Mark:2/23-28 arose between Jesus and the Pharisees, regarding Sabbath observance. A traveler was free to pluck the corn but St. Anthony the Great He was born and raised in South- was not to use a sickle for the purpose. ern Egypt. His parents died when he The disciples had technically broken a was 18. He distributed his inheritance number of rules and were liable to be among the poor and retired to a desert classified as law-breakers. This was a tomb. Though he refused to see anyone, serious matter in the eyes of Jewish rabthe number of his disciples grew. They bis. They took quick action and pointed settled in nearby caves and huts and out the mistake to Jesus. The big idea later St. Anthony became their spiritual behind their action was to get Jesus to guide. He came out, not at all emaci- stop the disciples. But the unexpected ated, but full of vigour and health. His happened. Jesus quoted the incident in followers continued to live in separate 1 Samuel 21/1-6 in His answer - where cells and gathered together only for David not only ate bread that was a religious services. He went out to Alex- kind of offering to God but also gave it andria to encourage the faithful against to his friends. Jesus made it very clear Maximinan persecution but retired to a that human need takes precedence over mountain side in the desert of Glysma. human law and even divine. Sabbath He died at the venerable age of 105. He was not meant to be the master and man is the patron saint of hospital workers, the slave or victim. Instead the Sabbath butchers, grave-diggers and brush and rules and regulations were meant to basket weavers. His intercession is make life better or fuller for them. Of sought specially in cases of epilepsy, the ten commandments only three speak pestilence, ery-sipelas ("St.Anthony's of doing things and seven speak of not doing things. But at the last judgement Fire) and skin diseases. Our Lord will ask us of things we have The Gospel Proclamation done and not the vice versa. To become One sabbath he was going through a Christian simply by abstaining from the grainfields; and as they made their work and pleasure on Sunday - attendway his disciples began to pluck heads ing Church, saying prayers, reading of grain. The Pharisees said to him, the Holy Bible - well and good, but "Look, why are they doing what is not whenever love, forgiveness, mercy and lawful on the sabbath?" And he said service are forgotten religion is on a to them, "Have you never read what wrong track. Christianity consists more David did when he and his compan- in doing things than refraining from ions were hungry and in need of food? action. What better ways are there to He entered the house of God, when worship God than helping our neighAbiathar was high priest, and ate the bour? People who are created to His bread of the Presence, which it is not likeness, matter far more than systems, lawful for any but the priests to eat, rituals etc. It is clear that love should and he gave some to his companions. be given the first place and not the law. Then he said to them, "The sabbath Prayer Starter was made for humankind, and not huHelp us O Lord to make our love an mankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath." active one. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Wednesday 18th January 2017 Hebrews: 7/1-3, 15-17 Psalm: 110/1-4 Mark:3/1-6 The Gospel Proclamation Another time he went into the synagogue, and there was a man present whose hand was withered. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath day, hoping for something to charge him with. He said to the man with the withered hand, 'Get up and stand in the middle!' Then he said to them, 'Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?' But they said nothing. Then he looked angrily round at them, grieved to find them so obstinate, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and began at once to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him. Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord, guide us to delve in to Your heart, to experience what you did looking upon the man with the withered limb and the Pharisees intent on trapping You for any perceived error... The man was experiencing a piteous state of being; having a withered hand that disabled him from working for his living, he was undoubtedly a most proper object for charity; an icon of the Needy, of the Poor. The Creator is biased towards empowering; of evolving awareness / consciousness from the insensate material state to the spiritual relational state. Look upon His work: transforming material in the raw form of elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen etc.) and combining them to form complex molecules that themselves band together to build up the DNA – the aggregates that somehow are self-conscious in varying degrees!

The Creator is the prime empowerer; Jesus, the incarnate Word, the singular channel there-for. So, let those (and that is everyone and everything) be helped that cannot help themselves. The Lord will be the energy, the living substance, the ultimate nourishment, the life and purpose for all that is! Let everyone and everything stand receptive to the evolving creative opus of the Creator. The nature of the Lord is Love; a relational spiritual state of being, whilst somehow material at the same time. The great healing (empowering) day in the Gospel is the Sabbath, and the place the house of prayer. The mechanism is clear: though our hands are withered, yet, we need to stretch them out (seek the relationship). Otherwise, it is our own fault that we are not healed. But if we are healed, Christ, his power and grace, must have all the glory. The stubborn, they hear what is said amiss, and see what is done amiss; and refuse the relationship. Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of that, and is grieved. Let hard–hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he will look upon them shortly, when the day of his wrath comes. All our sicknesses and calamities spring from broken relationships; we are separated from ’What-Is’, rebelling against our brothers, our own bodies, against nature, against God! And we curse the sorry result we beget! Could we come to our senses? Like the son who ‘Woke Up’ in the piggery, realizing that it was so much better in the ‘Father’s House”? Prayer Starter Bravo...!Alleluia to my new found relationships with my brethren, with the creation, and the all embracing Creator...I'm now connected...I feel loved...I'm at peace...I'm now lifted up... Amen...

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Thursday 19th January 2017 Hebrews:7/25-8/6 Psalm: 40/6-9, 16 Mark: 3/7-12 Gospel Proclamation Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him. Gaze at Jesus Scripture passage in Hebrew today draws our attention to the saving grace of Jesus who pleads before God on our behalf and the Gospel gives us an account of the saving power of Jesus for those who came to Him. Our sonship Today through the scriptures, we are guided to gaze at Jesus, the Son of God as the Savior who God gave us as the complete Healer who will save us and who will sustain our lives in all circumstances. God who has blessed us with the gift of ‘free will’ will not interfere in our life. Therefore, there are different factors that keep us away from going to Him. However, Holy Spirit is the powerful presence of God in us. He is the Counselor who guides us, and as He is God’s advocate within us, He also teaches us to reconcile with God’s vision that sets

us completely free. Therefore, God invites us to accept the advocacy of the Holy Spirit and journey with Him who will sustain us in the freedom Jesus has granted us. Let us celebrate our Christian lives as lives of praise. Our Christian lives are also a blessing in the society, because God’s love is represented in the society through our lives. Therefore, we are called to be Christ’s witnesses, evangelicals and missionaries and we need to live in awareness of the Holy Spirit that we will not become complacent about this aspect of being a Christian. Prayerful Awareness Therefore, we ask for the intercession of the Holy Spirit to continually rekindle in our lives with a burning passion to always rely on God’s saving power. Help us to listen to Your guidance, and guard us against those barriers that hinder us from drawing closer to You. Lord we also pray that we will also be the channels of peace that others may reach unto You. Infuse us with faith, that we will be able to give our lives in Your service. Prayer of Praise (Psalm 40: 6 – 9, 16) Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come, it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Friday 20th January 2017 Hebrews: 8/6-13 Psalm: 85/7, 9-13 Mark:3/13-19 The First Proclamation But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which a been enacted through better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one. God finds fault with them when he says: "The days are surely coming, says the Lord; when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." In speaking of "a new covenant" he has made the first one obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear. Prayerful Awareness

and the Sadducees interpreted God's Doctrine according to their whims and fancies. They paid attention only to the letter of the Law and often left aside or neglected the practical side of it. eg. If a man carried a mat on a Sabbath day he was punished saying that he had broken the obligation of the Sabbath. As for interpreting the Law as they wanted the Pharisees would labour to save their ox fallen into a well, but found fault with Jesus for curing the man with the withered hand on a Sabbath day. God found fault with such decisions and decided to establish the new Covenant with the house of Israel. God says "I will be merciful". The new Testament with Jesus as Head and Master who will plead with Abba Father for forgiveness even for His murderers, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." This is the new Covenant of love that He preached. This is the church founded by Jesus as its invisible Head and His holiness Pope Francis the present Pope, descended from St. Peter whom Jesus appointed as the first visible Head of the Church. The Psalmist says "Salvation will come to those who fear God" for fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In the New Testament Jesus Christ as the Invisible Head of the Church will pour His steadfast Love on the faithful. His faithful Christians will look up to Him and obey a merciful God of Righteousness who will restore peace and salvation on a faithful community. Prayer Starter

Show us your steadfast love, O God found fault with the Covenant Lord, and grant us your salvation. of the Old Testament for the Pharisees

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Saturday 21st January 2017 Hebrews: 9/2-3, 11-14 Psalm:47/1-2, 5-8 Mark: 3/20-21

Gospel Proclamation He came home. Again (the) crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When His relatives heard of this they set out to seize Him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Prayerful Awareness Jesus Christ was shielded by the Holy Spirit from the beginning as He was conceived in Virgin Mary’s womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore His heart was overflowing with Godly Love, like water flowing from a fountain. This is why Jesus was more concerned with helping the people who were gathered seeking healing for ailments they were suffering with, than taking meals. His relatives could not understand this, as the people of the world are more concerned with having their meals and looking after their own needs than helping with the problems of the others. Like Lord Jesus Christ, we have also received the Holy Spirit at the time of our Baptism, with the acceptance of Lord Jesus in to our lives as our Lord and Saviour (or by our God Parents who represented us in accepting Lord Jesus Christ into our lives, rejecting Satan and sin). With Holy Spirit within us, we too should be working generously like Lord Jesus, but most of the time we tend to be more concerned with our well being. This is why St. Paul accused people in Philippians in 3 : 18 - 19 “ For many, as I have often told you and

now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach: their glory is in their “shame.” Isn’t our minds too occupied with earthly things? As human beings, we are weak and most of the time we try to satisfy our human wants, and sometimes may go to extreme levels, even in committing sin, if we do not keep awake to the temptations. This is why Lord Jesus said “be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man" ( Luke 21:36 ) and also to “be shrewd as serpents" (Math 10 : 16) not to get caught to the wickedness of the world or the society and follow the teachings of the world trying to justify even some wrongful acts carried out by unscrupulous persons. This is where we need the help of the Holy Spirit to teach us and show us the righteous path, so that we can live as children of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. ( Roman 8; 14). As Christians we must live our lives as pious persons and live as witnesses for God and His Great Love since we are born into this world to bring Glory to God our Creator (Isaiah 43 : 7). Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, our Counselor, Friend and Advocate, whom God our Father granted to us to make us Children of God when we accepted Jesus Christ in to our lives as our Saviour and Lord. Be our Guide and the Controller of our lives to make us God’s Spirit driven children to fulfill God’s Will through our lives as Living Witnesses for God, and His Great Love, Amen

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Sunday 22nd January 2017

Isaiah:9/1-4 Psalm: 27/1, 4, 13-14 1 Corinthians:1/10-13, 17 Matthew: 4/12-23

The First Proclamation But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the later time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darknes - on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

The Gospel Proclamation

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." As he walked by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who is

called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them, "Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

The Second Proclamation

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloes people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or " I belong to Apolos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to batize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

Prayerful Awareness

Christ is the light of all those who have been sitting in thick darkness. He is the true light that could overcome all kinds of dark moments in human history. We must come out of dark corners of our lives and come to His marvelous light. Why are people so afraid of His light? The answer is very clear. "And

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, least his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God." (John 3/19-21) Our sinfulness keeps us away from true light. Sinners are scared of the light. But there is a way out of this predicament and that is to undergo deep and sincere repentance. The deeper and more sincere our repentance, the more courageous we become to face the light. Repentance ought to be our constant response to His light. The more we repent, the more light we can receive. The more we repent, the more He could enlighten us. And also the more we repent, the more we could commit our lives to Him. The foundation of Christian discipleship is repentance. In order to leave everything and become a follower of Christ, one has to be interiorly free and humble. The one who is truly free could let go of everything and embrace Christ totally and utterly.

When Christ calls us, we must be prepared to respond without thinking twice. Discipleship is an act of surrender, an act of deep faith. Not only should we become disciples of Christ, but also we ought to take other people to Christ. The more we follow Him, the more we must radiate His light. One cannot become a disciple in isolation, but in relation to whole of humanity. One becomes a disciple on behalf of whole humanity. Discipleship is always for the life of the world, for the benefit of other people. One follows Christ in order to win people for Christ, so that others can find the true meaning of life in and through Christ. Christless life is a rootless life, a useless life, a tasteless life. Christ is everything for everyone. One can find the real meaning of life only in Christ. Prayer Starter The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Monday 23rd January 2017

Hebrews: 9/15, 24-28 Psalm:98/1-6 Mark: 3/22-30 Gospel Proclamation And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” Gaze on Jesus Here Jesus speaks amidst the teachers of Law or the canonical interpreters at the time. They interpret Jesus’ ministry as evil. However, Jesus speaks in parables to explain Himself and also the power of His ministry. Our sonship Holy Spirit gives us the strength in times of our adversity. He lives in us to lead us in the truth and helps us to turn away from the evil forces that blind us. Knowing the Holy Spirit is knowing our direction to freedom. Therefore, God warns us against spiritual

blindness that causes us to go astray. False livelihoods lead others into destruction as the scribes and the Pharisees did at the time. Therefore, we have to understand the fears that overpower us that prevent us from identifying and abandoning our evil paths. They make us prisoners to many forms of demonic powers, may they be named as Beelzebul, Satan etc. They are forces within us that act as barriers that prevent us from getting close to the Lord. Letter of Hebrew refers to Jesus as the “mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance”.Holy Spirit being the direct representation of God’s presence in our lives, enables us to live a life of authority, power and freedom in the truth that God give us. Holy Spirit also enables us to witness to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus’ warns of any blasphem against the Holy Spirit as an unforgivable sin. Prayerful Starter (Psalm 98:1 – 6) Sing to the Lord a new song,for he has done marvelous things;his right hand and his holy armhave worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation knownand revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his loveand his faithfulness to Israel;all the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,burst into jubilant song with music;make music to the Lord with the harp,with the harp and the sound of singing,with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s hornshout for joy before the Lord, the King.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Tuesday 24th January 2017 St. Francis deChurch

Hebrews: 10/1-10 Psalm: 40/1,3,6,7,9,10 Mark: 3/31-35 St. Francis De Sales He was born on 21st August, 1567 and was the eldest of 13 children. At 25 he obtained his doctorate in Law at Padua. He gave up Law and became a priest despite his father's opposition. In the re-conquered province of Le Chablais he together with his cousin volunteered to win its Calvanist inhabitants back to faith. He became a popular preacher and many were converted by the exemplary way he led his life and also by his irrefutable and lucid arguments. He said, "You will catch more flies with one spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels of vinegar." His untiring efforts saw that many churches were reopened to worship. He was elected bishop in 1602. The maxim behind his sermon was, "The more you say, the less people will remember" and "in order to speak well, we need only to love well." Patron of all writers. Died: December 28, 1622. Beatified: January 8, 1662. Canonized in 1665. Declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX. The Gospel Proclamation Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of my God is my brother and sister and mother." Prayerful Awareness Conditions of true kinship are laid down by Jesus. At the base of true kinship there is common experience. Be together through thick and thin - yes,

true kinship lies in common experiences. Shared experiences too have a big say here. We are all forgiven sinners and isn't that a common experience? To know and experience Christ is the common interest of all Christians. The real kinship comes into being when various groups are bound together by this common interest. Be under and obedient to a master, leader - Jesus Christ as the Lord and Master. The best example would be His disciples who were from many walks of life. If the nationalist Simon and the tax collector Matthew were not under Jesus Christ, they would have hated each other. It is Jesus Christ who enables us to love each other in His Name and under Him we become close allies. Our aim should be to enter into a deep relationship with God. To achieve this goal, we've got to give priority not only to His Will but also do it. In this area Jesus is the pioneer. We become related to Jesus by doing God's Will. This is a deep relationship involving mind and heart. The first proclamation taken from the letter to the Hebrews, the writer stresses that the burnt offerings were only a copy of what real worship should be. The sole aim of religion was to help people to establish a close relationship with God which was lacking in these sacrifices. The repetition of these burnt sacrifices clearly shows they are not cleansing human souls, the result of which is that the path to God is shadowed. Their sins still stand between God and them and they are not purified. First and foremost God wants our unreserved 'yes' to His Will and not animal sacrifices. Because Jesus perfectly did God's Will He was the sacrifice, the unblemished One. It is through obedience we can have fellowship with God and the best model we have is Jesus Christ, His one and only Son. Prayer Starter Help us to do Your Will and be a son/ daughter pleasing to You. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Wednesday 25th January 2017 The Conversion of St. Paul, the Apostle Acts:22/3-16 OR 9/1-22 Psalm: 117/1-2 Mark: 16/15-18 The First Proclamation Meanwhile Saul was still breathing threats to slaughter the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked for letters...authorise him to arrest and take to Jerusalem any followers of the Way, ... It happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all round him. He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, ... 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.... For three days he was without his sight and took neither food nor drink. There was a disciple in Damascus called Ananias, and he had a vision in which the Lord said to him, 'Ananias!' When he replied, 'Here I am, Lord,' the Lord said, 'Get up and go to Straight Street and ask at the house of Judas for someone called Saul, who comes from Tarsus....Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for my name.' Then Ananias went...laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'...After he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus, he began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God.'... Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord, help us to see your mind-set in how you win over Saul to be your Lion… Saul thought that he ought to do all

he could against the name of Christ, who claimed to be the Son of God. This Jesus, unqualified to be even a mere Rabbi by education and training, coming as he did from a mediocre background, dared to blaspheme the Holy God of the chosen! He (Saul) will do his best to serve the Holy of Holies. Saul did serve the God as he knew thereby; in fact he seemed to breathe in this as his very element. He was a fervent and devout man. This is a very effective trap of the Liar, the Devil. He would like us to create a God according to our own desires and beliefs. Since we are all of us limited, our imagination and creativity essentially constrained, we thereby create a limited god. We would always be excluding (rejecting) some aspect of creation; in other words, we would deny or hate some part of creation. In doing so, we would NOT reflect the image of God – who is LOVE, in relationship with ALL of S/ His creation. Jesus, the Christ reconciled everything within Himself; there is room in God even for those who reject Him, or blame Him for every thing that we ourselves do wrong. Even those who deny Him are lovingly embraced; the sun shines for them too. Let us today recognize that our thinking is essentially limited, and journey towards the truth; to identify our own particular biases and prejudices, wounds from past experiences etc., that prevent us from reaching for our power and freedom TO LOVE. How else could we “ Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation”? How could we truly and authentically empower the Other (this is what the Good News does...), so long as we hate them; reject them, and / or perceive them to be a threat to our existence? No. All means All. We are to embrace All Creation. Prayer Starter We need to be saved and freed from ourselves O Lord; Maranatha…

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Thursday 26th January 2017 2 Timothy:1/1-8 or Titus 1/1-5 Psalm: 96/1-3, 11-13 Luke: 10/1-9 The First Proclamation From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, sent to proclaim the promised life which we have in union with Christ Jesus To Timothy, my dear son: May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy and peace. I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did. I thank him as I remember you always in my prayers night and day. I remember your tears, and I want to see you very much, so that I may be filled with joy. I remember the sincere faith you have…For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid hands on you. For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed, then, of witnessing for our Lord; nor be ashamed of me, a prisoner for Christ’s sake. Instead, take our part in suffering for the Good news, as God gives you the strength to do it. The Gospel Proclamation After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!'. .....

Prayerful Awareness

Our souls are warped by the triple

Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus forces of evil: the devil, the world, and our flesh. It is God’s grace, mercy, and peace that enable us to counteract these forces that continuously threaten to tear us apart. Grace is how, despite our unworthiness, God continues to bless us. Mercy is how despite our inclination to sin, God forgives generously. Peace is how despite troubles and anxieties, we can remain calm in the assurance that God is in control. It is these that St. Paul invokes in his greeting wish to Timothy in his letter. At the time of writing, Paul is a prisoner, yet his tone is eager and joyful as can only be achieved by someone who experiences God’s grace, mercy, and peace abundantly. The letter is intended to encourage young Timothy who is more or less starting his life of witnessing to Christ. Paul knows that while Timothy is well beyond bars, proclaiming the Good news entails its own share of suffering. Not everybody wants to hear that only Jesus can set us free from our sinful selves, because to believe is to acknowledge one’s own flaws and failings. The flesh resists. The ego retaliates. Timothy was not naturally iron-fisted as Paul was in his youth, nor as outspoken. But God never chose His witnesses based on their disposition, but on the sincerity of their faith. As we celebrate the Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops of the early church, we know that their faith sustained their evangelic ministry. “For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.” Power gives us authority to witness without fear, but power without love is selfish and destructive. Only combined can they uplift and transform. Self-control helps us to stay true to the purpose, and all these come through God’s Spirit that resides within us.

Prayer Starter

Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us. Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Friday 27th January 2017 Hebrews:10/32-39 Psalm:37/3-6, 23-24, 39-40 Mark:4/26-34 The First Proclamation But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet "in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back." But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved. Prayerful Awareness Let us reflect on the following verses from today’s reading of Hebrews: “cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward.” How often are we able to react with confidence in God, as the above verses suggest? Let us remember the last time when we tried to take control of a situation in order to gain the outcome that

we desired or because we feared what would happen if you didn’t take control of the situation. We may not need to think that hard because our daily lives are full of these situations. Sometimes, these struggles are small, such as when we try not to be late for Sunday mass, getting our children ready for school, and being stuck in traffic. Occasionally we also have to face bigger struggles such as when a loved one receives a serious diagnoses of an illness, when facing a financial crisis or when moving abroad for work. Often time, when bigger struggles are present in our lives, we find it even harder to face the smaller struggles in our daily life. But, even in the absence of larger and more difficult problems, even a small challenge such as getting to a meeting on time can bring the worst in us. A small argument can easily get out of hand, and we end up hurting the people that are closest to us and say things that we later regret. Humans have what scientists call the “fight or flight” reaction when under stress. That is, humans, depending on their predisposition, will either stay and fight or run for their lives when faced with a stressful situation. But as children of God, confident of our ultimate destiny, we need to stop reacting mindlessly, and act with certainty. This is not easy, as we are trying to change a condition programmed into us over thousands of years of surviving as humans on earth. Let the Holy Spirit guide us. Amen. Prayer Starter Trust in the Lord, nd do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Saturday 28th January 2017 Hebrews:11/1-2,8-19 Psalm: Luke:1/69-75 Mark:4/35-41 The First Proclamation Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. ... By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old - and Sarah herself was barren - ... Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore...... The Gospel Proclamation On that day. when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.... A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, .... But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up and ..., "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Gaze at Jesus Jesus invites us to go across to the other side. Will it mean our life in the future? It could refer to our transformation from what we are to what we ought to

become. Passing across to the other side is difficult. There will be strong winds, storms and engulfing waters to drown us. In life there are situations that leave us feeling anxious and fearful, powerless and out of control. The predicament of the disciples is ours too. We tend to be overwhelmed by many problems and concerns, making us forget that Jesus is with us if only we call upon Him. Think of the words of Jesus, "Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?" Yes, in the midst of troubles we too should be awake to Jesus who is with us and be confident that He would help us through the difficult times. There are moments when we realise our faith in Jesus is not enough. It needs strengthening and deepening through prayer. Our sonship Our life too is a journey. The one we often see is the physical journey we embark on. However, embedded in every physical journey is also a spiritual or an inner journey, which takes us to the heart of God. Most often people seek God only to fulfil their material requirements and miss out on experiencing God's unconditional love every moment in our lives. The result is that we live such stressful lives. When we face trials, do we surrender those situations to Jesus? In the Old Testament, God tells us 'Be still, and know that I am the Lord". In other words God is telling us that He is in total control of every situation. In the New Testament Jesus invites those who are heavy laden to find rest by placing their burdens on Him. Prayer Starter Thank You Lord for Your glorious presence amidst us. Let Your comforting words resound. Lord help us to overcome all difficult situations and be still and quiet, to know You are with us and to obey You. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Sunday 29th January 2017

Zephania:2/3; 3/12-13 Psalm: 146/7-10 1 Corinthians:1/26-31 Mathew: 5/1-12 The First Proclamation Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord's wrath. For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord - the remnant of Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies. The Gospel Proclamation

Holy Childhood Sunday for they will be called children of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. The Second Proclamation Consider your own call, brothers and sisters; not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption in order that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. "Blessed are the merciful, for they Prayerful Awareness will receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see The one who is interiorly and God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, intrinsically poor is also interiorly

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

free. The poor in spirit can become the happiest people on earth. There is deep joy, contentment that come from practising volntary simplicity. There is also sanctity in authentic simplicity.

a true son and daughter of God. Christ is the peacemaker par excellence in human history. As His disciples,we cannot escape this formidable challenge and task.

Hungering and thirsting for righteousnes is a true quality of those who love God. God is a God of justice. A lover of God ought to be a person who stands for social justice.

When one struggles and strives to witness to Christ and His ongoing mission, one can experience a lot of persecutions, insults, ridicule, marginalisation, etc. It is a privilege to suffer Since God has shown His infinite for Christ. One could experience deep mercy towards us, we ought also to joy in it. show our merciful attitude towards True wisdom comes from sufferour neighbours. The more we receive ings we undergo on behalf of Christ. mercy from God, the more merciful Sufferings become redemptive when we must become. We eventally lose we face them on behalf of the Rewhatever we do not share with others. deemer of the human race. Purity of heart is a difficult virtue. Specially in the contemporary world, there are countless forces, tendencies that easily contaminate, corrupt our hearts. Modern mass media do this very successfully. It has become virtually impossible to maintain a pure heart. The more we purify our heart, the more He can enter it and shine in it. Our heart must become a tabernacle for God's presence. A purified heart can clearly see the God in one's heart and also the God in other people's hearts. Clear vision stems from purity. Purity gives clarity to one's visibility. God is also a God of peace. To be an authentic peacemaker is to become

Spiritual poverty and interior purity are necessary ingredients for our Christian existence. True holiness, true blessedness comes from practising the Beatitudes in our daily life. Prayer Starter Who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Monday 30th January 2017

Hebrews:11/32-40 Psalm: 31/19-23 Mark: 5/1-20 The Gospel Proclamation They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, "Send us into the swine, let us enter them." So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. .... As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said

to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed. Prayerful Awareness Let us reflect on Mark 5: 17- 20, in which we read that the man who was cured, then “begged” to stay with Jesus. He did not merely ask Jesus, due to a feeling of obligation, hoping Jesus will kindly refuse such gratitude. In fact, the man is likely to have felt a deep desire to stay with Jesus. Why did Jesus refuse the man? In Mathew 4: 19, Jesus says “come follow me”. As a Christian we may all feel that Jesus is speaking to us personally when He said the above. Yet, in “following” Jesus, God has His own plan for each of us. Sometimes, God wants us to be His witness to our immediate family and close friends. To this man in Mark 5, Jesus asked him to “go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you”. Yet in today’s first reading of Hebrews, we read about the radical and dangerous plights of the first Christians who “quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword”. “Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.” Prayer starter Father, show me how I should follow Jesus in my family life, work life, and missionary life. Help to not confuse my heart’s desire, even when it is good, for Your Will. Instead help me to be sacrificial, loving without condition, and forgiving without reason. Amen.

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

Tuesday 31st January 2017

St. John Bosco, Priest, Confessor

Hebrews: 12/1-4 Psalm:22/25-28,30, 31 Mark: 5/21-43 St. John Bosco He was born a poor peasant in Northern Italy. The dream he had, inspired by Our Lord and Our Lady, was to rescue young lads from evil ways and to train them in an honest trade. After his ordination in the city of Turin, he set out deliberately to bring his dream to come to fruition. He used positive means of gaining the confidence of the young ones. He also had them engaged in reciting the Rosary and Bible discussion. His work was well accepted and supported by co-operators and a solid foundation was laid. Full time technical schools, apprentice workshops and dormitories were built. The daily work was accompanied by frequent confession and daily mass. Corporal punishment was completely excluded. He fondly came to be known as Don Bosco. Died: January 31st 1888. Beatified: June 2, 1929 by Pope Pius XI. Canonized by the same Pope on April 01, 1934. The First Proclamation

point of shedding your blood. Prayerful Awareness What values should adorn the life of a Christian - we have a summary of those values here. We have many examples in the Christian life. The perfect example is Jesus Himself. He endured all things for the goal set before Him. The way of the cross was the way to win the goal. What a humiliating thing the cross was! It was meant for criminals; yet He accepted it for our sake, to pay the penalty of sin and to win for us the divine sonship that was lost due to original sin. Shouldn't we, Christians, follow that example? We are not left alone but He is with us and encourages us in this journey. Also we have the example and encouragement of the saints who have made the journey and reached the end. Aren't they encouraging and awaiting us? "It is then we must turn to the witnesses of faith, to Abraham, who "in hope ..... believed against hope"; to the Virgin Mary, who, in "her pilgrimage of faith", walked into the "night of faith" in sharing the darkness of her Son's suffering and death; and to so many others. "Herefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." (C.C.C.165). The goal set before us is, "You must be perfect - just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Mathew:5:48). Jesus was the new Adam and could bring forgiveness and life to all men, as the first Adam brought to all men sin and death. (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen). Prayer Starter

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding as shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, Help us not to give up the race or so that you may not grow weary or collapse but to pass the winning post lose heart. In your struggle against unscathed. Amen. sin you have not yet resisted to the

"The Lord is with you. Be awake!"

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