Walk In the Spirit June 2017

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

June 2017 Volume 06 Issue 15

"Reveal Your Holy Will tous O Lord"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER June 2017

Its immense! What the New Birth entails!

(Ephesians 1:4-7) - The Father has chosen us in Christ, before the foundation of the world to be holy and spotless before Him - He destined us to be His sons through Jesus Christ - In Christ we have redemption through His Blood and the forgiveness of our sins

If the begetting is at this moment, whatever be the human experience, my “Faith experience� must provide me with the assurance that here and now I am holy, spotless. What a staggering thought. The Blood of Christ has not been shed in vain. Awareness and consequent claim and appropriation is all that I am called upon to do. Faith is the one word that captures this whole experience.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Thursday 1st June 2017 Acts:22/30; 23/6-11 Psalm:16/1-2,5,7-11 John:17/20-26

The First Proclamation Since he wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees, I am on trial concerning the hope of he resurrection of the dead. When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided....."We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?...

That night the Lord stood near him and said, "Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome."

The Gospel Proclamation I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you , Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory; which you have given me because you loved me before the

St. Justin, Martyr foundation of the world.

"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you and these know that you have sent me,. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Prayerful Awareness Today's readings awaken us to examine ourselves and the Holy Church. If I am not holy, I become scandalous and the same thing happens to a divided church which is the Body of Christ. Jesus prays for all who believe, for all who teach, preach and prays that we all might be One as the Father is One in Him and He is in the Father and that all of us might be One in God, as they are in communion.

Jesus loved His believers so much that He did not want to lose even one of them. He wanted all of them to be holy and united as He is with His Father. .

In the First Proclamation, Paul appears before the trial and thus through Paul the words of Jesus entrusting to His apostles the mission of proclaiming Him before Jewish and pagan authorities will be fulfilled. In the trial Paul witnesses for the truth (Christ).

In every age such will be the zeal of the witnesses of Christ, when they are accused, to demonstrate that they are not acting out of self interest nor from any human motives, but because they are the servants of Christ.

Prayer Starter Thank You Father God for giving us Your only Son Jesus. His love for us is so immense that He does not leave any one of us. Touch our hearts dear Father God and help us to be mindful of all in our neighbourhood and embrace them all selflessly. Amen

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Friday 2nd June 2017

Acts:25/13-21 Psalm:103/1-2, 11-12 19-20 John: 21/15-19 The Gospel Proclamation When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' A second time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Look after my sheep.' Then he said to him a third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.'

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, 'Follow me.'

Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively where the central theme is the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, who is asking us to follow him to be a good shepherd to the people God has placed in our care. In order to do this effectively we have to constantly be attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to guide us to say and do the right thing at the right time.

In the First Proclamation we see St. Paul on trial regarding his faith in the Resurrected Lord whom he did not have the good fortune to know during the time

Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, Martyrs our Lord walked the earth in human form, but was made known to him powerfully when he (as Saul) was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus.

His experience of meeting the Lord had such a tremendous impact on him that it led to a complete transformation of his life, including change of name from Saul to Paul! Let us reflect to what extent knowing the Lord has had an impact in our lives?

In the Gospel Proclamation we see the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ asking Peter “Do you love me more than these others do?” One message it conveys is that in order to be given a special place one must also be able and willing to ‘do’ more than the others, in terms of time, resources, commitment, love, and be also willing to suffer more, to die to one’s self /will more, for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom here on earth by spreading the Good News that salvation is available to everyone through the claiming of the sacrificial blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Repetition of the question 3 times is also of significance in that it is a complete affirmation that is demanded. Also, it is a progression of love, from friendly love, to a more intimate love, culminating in ‘Agape’ Love which is similar to God’s selfless, unconditional Love!

Song of Praise Bless Yahweh, my soul, from the depths of my being, his holy name; bless Yahweh, my soul, never forget all his acts of kindness.

As the height of heaven above earth, so strong is his faithful love for those who fear him. As the distance of east from west, so far from us does he put our faults.

Yahweh has fixed his throne in heaven, his sovereign power rules over all.

Bless Yahweh, all his angels, mighty warriors who fulfil his commands, attentive to the sound of his words. (Ps: 103, 1-2, 11-12, 19-20).

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Saturday 3rd June 2017

Sts. Charles Lwanga & Companions, Martyrs Acts: 28/16-20,30-31 Our sonship Psalm:11/4-7 Apostles encountering Risen Christ, John: 21/20-25 were fascinated by His authority. There-

Evening Vigil: Genesis:11/1-9 OR Exodus:19/3-8,16-20; Ps:104/1-2, 24, 27-30; Romans:8/22-27; John:7/37-39 Gospel Proclamation Peter turned and saw the disciple who Jesus loved following them. The one who had leant back close to his chest at the supper and had said to him, Lord who is it that will betray you? Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, What about him, Lord? Jesus answered, If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you?

You are to follow me. The rumor then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, He will not die, but, if I want him to stay behind till I come.

This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down and we know that his testimony is true. There was much else that Jesus did; if it were written down in detail, I do not suppose the world itself would hold all the books that would be written.

Gaze at Jesus Jesus appears as Risen Christ to Peter and other apostles while they were fishing. Apostles were amazed at the haul of fish they caught after Jesus came on the boat and they recognized Jesus as their Lord. When they reached the shore, and started breakfast, Lord asks Peter, would he undertake to feed and care for His people. Peter answers, yes, and Jesus also tells him “follow me”. However, Peter seeing John, asks Jesus, what about John then? Jesus understands Peter and firmly commands him, it is not about the other, but “you are to follow me”.

fore, when Jesus said “follow me” without completely understanding Jesus, they agreed to follow Him. At this stage they were still not free from comparing each other with petty jalousies, competition and a sense of inferiority. Therefore, we see there was gossip.

We too in our own ways, like to have special attention from someone who has authority with our own set of selfish expectations. However, we need to understand that expectations Jesus sets for us are different, especially in taking care of His flock. It is reflected in the description in Acts Chapter 28 where St. Paul is taken as Prisoner to Rome via Malta. Remaining as a prisoner, the vivid descriptions in the chapter shows us how Lord used St. Paul to reveal Himself to the people in the Island of Malta by the miracles and healings. On his arrival in Rome the situation was different. He was able to gather many people and finds opportunity to talk to them directly about Jesus. They were from different walks of lives and their response to the Good News was different. They pose different challenges.

Therefore, we need to understand in each situation when we are called to reveal Jesus, there are different challenges. Therefore, we must have a firm commitment to the Good News we ought to preach.

Prayer Starter Let us prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal our own inner complexities that hinder us from responding to Lord’s call to follow Him. Let us also pray that we will have the inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit that we may be able to handle the trials that await us in our life in the same way Jesus died for the Good News.

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Sunday 4th June 2017 Acts: 2/1-11 Psalm: 104/1,24,29-31, 34 1 Corinthians:12/3-7, 12-13 John : 20/19-23

The First Proclamation When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? .... in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power.

The Second Proclamation Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are

Pentecost Sunday varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

For just as the body is one and has many members; and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The Gospel Proclamation When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Prayerful Awareness Both of the events recorded in today's Gospel take place on 'the first day of the week' (John 20:19, 26). The events which take place on the Day of the Lord stand at the heart of the Christian Church and its mission. We recall and make present these events in our Sunday celebration.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Disciples are locked in the upper room, fearful of what might happen to them (John 20:19). Somehow, the beloved disciple's coming to faith at the empty tomb has not moved the rest of the group to abandon their 'fear of the Jews'. But the Jesus whom they saw crucified comes to them alive, bringing them peace in the midst of their fear. 'The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord.' (vs.20).

Having transformed their fear into joy, Jesus then sends the disciples out as His missionaries. Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus has both been described and described Himself as the one sent by the Father. Now this mission is passed down to the next generation. 'As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.' (vs. 21). The coming of the risen Jesus has dispelled all fear. His gift of the Spirit to them will enable them to continue this mission of the Son. They are to bring peace and to dispel fear as they become the sent ones of the Son. By forgiving sin as a result of the gift of the Spirit, the Christian disciple of all time will also overcome the fear and the pain which slavery to sin inevitably produces.

However, one of the disciples was not there. When the disciples came to faith and joy, and received the commission to bring the peace and healing of Jesus into the world - Thomas was not present. Informed that Jesus is alive, it is not that Thomas will not believe, he will, but only on his own way. Jesus must meet his conditions and expectations: 'Unless I see the holes that the nails made ..... unless I an put my hand into his side' Thomas demands tangible evidence of the passion. How can a dead man be alive again?

Gaze at Jesus The following day of the Lord ('eight days later') the risen Jesus again comes to the group of disciples both to show the limitations of Thomas' demands and to lead him to a confession of true Christian faith which no longer depends upon tangible proof.

The pierced body, offered to Thomas, is evidence that the crucified Jesus is now the risen Lord. The only response to such a life giving presence is Thomas' recognition of who it is that he dared to question: 'My Lord and my God'.

Gaze on us But Thomas is not the end of the story. Many Sundays later, we are being asked to recognise the greatness of the gift we have been given: 'You believe because you can see me.

Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe'. As we celebrate our Sunday liturgy we can rightly claim that we have not seen, and yet we believe. May the ongoing story of our Christian journey always show that our belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, has given us life in His Name. Filled with such life we will, however modestly, repeat the mission of Jesus. As the Father sent Him, so now He is sending us. At times we will also repeat the Thomas story, demanding that Jesus meet our expectations. May Jesus' never-failing presence to us also lead us to confess 'My Lord and my God." Prayer Starter Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, You are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures, (Ps.104/1, 24.....)

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Monday 5th June 2017 Tobit: 1/1-3; 2/1-8 Psalm: 112/1-2,7-9 Mark: 12/1-12 St. Boniface He was born of noble Anglo-Saxon parents at Crediton (England). He was trained in sanctity and knowledge from the age of five by the Benedictines. He excelled in preaching and expounding the sacred scriptures and was ordained priest at 30. Later his longstanding wish to go as a missionary to his Saxon kinsmen in Friesland was given green light. In 722 he was consecrated Bishop of Hessia and his name Latinized to Boniface, meaning "doing good". He was made Apostolic Legate in 738. He was murdered by the heathen inhabitants in Friesland on 5th June 755. His remains now lie buried in Fulda.

The Gospel Proclamation Then he began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted.

Then he sent another, and that one they killed. An d so it was with many others' some they beat, and others they killed.

He had still one other, a beloved son.

Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will

St. Boniface, Bishop & Martyr come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture. 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and is amazing in our eyes?....

Prayerful Awareness The parable we have here is full of truths, about the Father and the Son. The generosity of the Father is expressed in the way the vineyard was equipped - a fence round it, a watch-hut for protection, a winepress and a hole. All these were to make the work of the labourers easy.

And in nature hasn't He provided us with everything necessary to live a contended life? He had total trust in the cultivators and gave them full freedom to run the vineyard. Hasn't He done the same thing with His creation? The freedom He gave man when He created him - He does not meddle with it but "stands at the door and knocks" (Rev. 3:20). His patience knows no boundaries. He gave them time and chance to pay the debt they duly owed Him. The justice of God - yes, finally the triumph is His. we see His patience and at times we try to take mean advantage of the same. Without doubt Jesus claimed He is the Messiah, the Son of God. He moved Himself away form the prophets who were servants. "No cross, no crown".

Jesus knew He was to die on the cross and it was not a surprise to Him. Glory or the triumph followed the cross. He well knew that the death on the cross was not the end. He knew what was in store - the ultimate glory or the triumph.

In the death and resurrection of Jesus the saying 'The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all" has come true. He is the corner stone that holds the building together. In the death and resurrection of Jesus this saying has been fulfilled.

Prayer Starter Help us to be true to our vocation as true sons and daughters. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Tuesday 6th June 2017

Tobit: 2/9-14 Psalm: 112/1-2, 7-9 Mark: 12/13-17 The First Proclamation That night I took a bath; then I went into the courtyard and lay down by the courtyard wall. Since it was hot I left my face uncovered.

I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall above my head; their hot droppings fell into my eyes. This caused white spots to form...and in the end, I become completely blind....

My wife Anna then undertook woman's work; she would spin wool and take cloth to weave;...she finished a piece of work and delivered it to her customers. They paid her all that was due, and into the bargain presented her with a kid for a meal.

When the kid came into my house, it began to bleat. I called to my wife and said, 'Where does this creature come from? Suppose it has been stolen! Let the owners have it back; we have no right to eat stolen goods'.

She said, 'No, it was a present given me over and above my wages.' I did not believe her, and told her to give it back to the owners (I felt deeply ashamed of her). To which, she replied, 'What about your own alms?

What about your own good works?

Everyone knows what return you have had for them.'

Fix your gaze on Jesus Jesus Lord, you –the most blessed of all, trusted 'ABBA’ in the deepest level of your being, stood as the most vulnerable son; filtering nothing that the Almighty sends your way! You did not allow anyone or anything to obstruct your experiencing of the Love of the Abba, choosing to remain in the

St. Norbert

flow of that ever-flowing, ever-renewing, always uplifting love and care. All external circumstances were a conduit to receive love; no conditions were placed on the externals!

Tobit, a person walking in the paths of righteousness, still suffers blindness for a long duration. Despite this calamity (that would elicit bitterness from the most of us), he stays devout and obedient to the Lord’s precepts. In his heart, he continued to experience the presence of and the love of the Lord despite trying circumstances, being thankful for blessings received. For the duration however, he was dependent on his wife for his livelihood in a patriarchal culture. What a blow to the ego!

Today, we have evolved this thinking to where both males and females are viewed as being equally valued members of the society. We value being productive members of our society, and strive to earn our independence and to be of merit. We however have this erroneous understanding, equating dependency to being unworthy, and hence to be avoided. This needs to be changed, as looking at a little child we perceive that dependency is a situation to being open to receive love! Tobit's wife's counter-arguments too remind us that we need not be fearful to receive grace and abundance. The best model we have however is the Lord Jesus, who accepted whatever the Father brought before him, without rejecting any; Don't however walk on the paths of an entitlement mind-set which will pervert our perceptions and deny us the experience of love.

Prayer Starter Let us walk with the Lord, trusting in him for the goodness he wills for us. We will experience love come what may, even as he did whilst he walked on earth…

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 7th June 2017 Tobit:3/1-11, 16 Psalm:25/2-9 Mark: 12/18-27 The Gospel Proclamation Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that 'if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children, and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise, none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? for the seven had married her."

Jesus said to them, "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

He is God not of the dead, but of the living, you are quite wrong."

Prayerful Awareness According to the old Testament Law, when a man died without a son, his brother had to marry the widow and produce children to care for her and allow the family line to continue.

The FIRST son of this marriage was

considered the HEIR of the dead man (Deuteronomy 25:5,6). The Sadducees stepped in with a question they were sure, would STUMP Him. The Sadducees did not believe in LIFE after death. They had no direct teaching about it. Writings of Moses were the ONLY scriptures they followed. Jesus pointed out that Moses' books SUPPORT the idea of ETERNAL LIFE. God spoke of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob years after their death as if they STILL LIVED. God's covenant with ALL people exists BEYOND death.

What life will be life after the resurrection is far beyond OUR ABILITY to understand, or imagine.

We need NOT be afraid of eternal life because of the UNKNOWNS, however. Instead of wondering WHAT God's coming Kingdom will be like, we should concentrate on our RELATIONSHIP with Christ right NOW because in the NEW Kingdom we WILL be with Him. If we love and trust Christ NOW, we will not be afraid of what He has in store for us then.

Jesus' statement does not mean that people won't recognise their partners in the coming Kingdom. It simply means that God's new order WILL NOT be an extension of THIS life and that the same physical and natural rules won't apply. Jesus gave a DEFINITE answer to their question about the resurrection.

Prayer Starter Lord help us to love You more deeply, confident in Your goodness and in the resurrection You promised, for nothing on earth compares to being with Christ in heaven.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Thursday 8th June 2017

Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest Prayerful Awareness Tobit:6/10-11; 7/1,9-14; 8/4-7 Today, we celebrate Jesus as the Psalm:128/1-5 eternal high priest, and the readings from the New Testament capture the new Mark: 12/28-34 vision for worshipping and experiencing OR God that Jesus revealed to the people. It Hebrews:10/18-23 was radically different from the order that preceded it; people had related to Psalm:40/6,9-11 God with utmost fear and respect. But John: 17/14-26

The First Proclamation ...... We have, then, my friends, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. He opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain—that is, through his own body. We have a great priest in charge of the house of God. So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. ....

The Gospel Proclamation I gave them your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil… Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth. I sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world. And for their sake I dedicate myself to you, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to you.

“I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message…Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. .... “Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made. ....

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were a revelation of God’s enormous love and mercy for his people.

No longer are animal sacrifices required for the atonement of sins. Through his death on the cross, Jesus settled the debt of our sins once and for all. We are “purified from a guilty conscience with bodies washed clean with water” (Heb 10:22). Thus, the greatest offering that we can make is ourselves: “a sincere heart and a sure faith” (Heb 10:22). God gave us life that we might experience Him with our whole being, and share the message of his salvation with others.

In this journey towards a greater oneness with God, we are blessed to have a great high priest who “is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses.

On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin” (Heb 4: 15). He made his whole life the purest example of what it means to be dedicated to God. Now he intercedes on our behalf: “Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am…I made you known to them…in order that the love you have for me may be in them, and so that I may also be in them” (John 17: 24- 26).

Prayer starter You do not want sacrifices and offerings; Instead, you have given me ears to hear you…

Lord, I know you will never stop being merciful to me. Your love and loyalty will always keep me safe. (Psalm 40).

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Friday 9th June 2017 Tobit: 11/5-17 Psalm: 146/1-2, 6-10 Mark: 12/35-37 The First Proclamation Anna was sitting, watching the road by which her son would come.

She was sure at once it must be he and said to the father, 'Here comes your son, with his companion.'

Raphael said to Tobias before he reached his father, 'I give you my word that your father's eyes will open.

You must put the fish's gall to his eyes; the medicine will smart and will draw a filmy white skin off his eyes. And your father will no more be blind but will be able to see the light.'

The mother ran forward and threw her arms round her son's neck.

'Now I can die,' she said, 'I have seen you again.' And she wept. Tobit rose to his feet and stumbled across the courtyard through the door. Tobias came on towards him (he had the fish's gall in his hand). He blew into his eyes and said, steadying him, 'Take courage, father!' With this he applied the medicine, left it there a while, then with both hands peeled away a filmy skin from the corners of his eyes. Then his father fell on his neck and wept. He exclaimed, 'I can see you, my son, the light of my eyes!' And he said: Blessed be God! Blessed be his great name!

Blessed be all his holy angels! Blessed be his great name for evermore! For, having afflicted me, he has had pity on me and now I see my son Tobias! ......

Psalm: I will praise Yahweh all my life, I will make music to my God as long as I live. gives justice to the oppressed, gives food to the hungry; Yahweh sets prisoners free.

St. Ephrem, Deacon & Doctor Yahweh gives sight to the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down.

Yahweh protects the stranger, he sustains the orphan and the widow. Yahweh loves the upright, but he frustrates the wicked.

Yahweh reigns for ever, your God, Zion, from age to age. (Psalm 146:2, 7-10) Gospel Proclamation While teaching in the Temple, Jesus said, 'How can the scribes maintain that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, moved by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord declared to my Lord, take your seat at my right hand till I have made your enemies your footstool.

David himself calls him Lord; in what way then can he be his son?'

And the great crowd listened to him with delight.

Prayerful Awareness Let us meditatively reflect on today’s Proclamations and Psalm which are self-explanatory. God’s Word is the unfolding story of His Love for His creation, especially man, the pinnacle of creation, man’s fall from grace through disobedience being misled by man’s arch rival, the Devil, and God’s plan for man’s salvation by God Himself paying the penalty for humanity’s collective sin, in the form of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity coming into the world to offer Himself as atonement. People and events in the Old Testament are a symbolic precursor of what is to come, the latter being the fulfilment of God’s Eternal Plan, a more glorious and perfect manifestation of what was symbolically represented of old. Also, the prophets of old foretold what is to come, a case in point being what is referred to in today’s Gospel Proclamation. Amen! Alleluia!

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Saturday 10th June 2017 Tobit: 12/1,5-15, 20 Song:Tobit:13/1-2,6-8 Mark:12/38-44 The Gospel Proclamation In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the market places, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.

They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Prayerful Awareness Jesus said beware of Scribes.

Scribes were the group of people who wrote books and documents by hand in hieratic, cuneiform or other scripts and who helped to keep track of records. Most of the time, Scribes earned their living by copying and interpreting the law (Mosaic Law) and were respected as teachers of law.

Due to this they had a well respected place in the Jewish society and used to demand superior treatment forgetting that all are equal in the presence of God. Jesus attacked the Scribes for

their unscrupulous acts, displaying to the society as Holy servants of God who follow the Word, but stealing properties of innocent helpless widows. Even in today’s society we come across people like the above referred Scribes who try to mislead innocent people like the destitute widows and try to cheat them to get their properties etc. We should check ourselves and see as to where we are in this corrupt society, where telling lies, taking commissions, damaging another person’s image or character due to jealousy or strife have become like fashions. Little they know or think that they are breaking the covenant of God, the main Ten Commandments.

However innocent we are, there are times that we too are being used by others due to our ignorance or other weaknesses to become parties to such sins, and therefore should always be on alert and awake as Lord Jesus Taught us, not to get caught and become tools of others. Jewish people were expected to pay Tithes to their Temple of Jerusalem according to their incomes, and most grant only a small percentage of their income.

The widow referred, gave everything she had, totally depending on God for Help through the day. People like Mother Theresa gave hundred percent of everything to God due to the love they had for God. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, teach us as You taught the disciples to follow Your Word and be strong to deny sin of every sort. Intercede for us and help us to receive the Holy Spirit You sent to all disciples, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Wisdom to know the Truth about everything and become Your tools to spread Your Word and

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Sunday 11th June 2017 Exodus: 34/4-6, 8-9 Daniel: 3/52-56 2 Corinthians:13/11-13 John: 3/16-18

Introduction

The Most Holy Trinity

Ps. Wk. II

ever Amen.

The First Proclamation So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the former ones; and he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tablets of stone.

The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name, "The Lord."

The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, ....

And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. He said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance" Prayerful Awareness:

The most Holy Trinity reveals to us the mystery of God whom we believe in and worship. A couple of years ago the Catholic Church proclaimed an year of Mercy, inviting it’s faithful to experience and bear witness to the mercy of the God we believe in. What is the answer that you would give to the question: What is God’s most important act of mercy? My answer would be that it is His act of creating humanity IN HIS IMAGE. In His mercy God gifted His image in its totality to man without reservation. God went even further and incarnated Himself as true man and thus elevated humanity to take the place reserved for it in the Godhead. So we can pray the Entrance Antiphon with meaning.

Let us picture the scene described in the proclamation and endeavor to Entrance Antiphon enter into the experience of Moses. “ Blest be God the Father, and The Lord had commanded Moses the only Begotten Son of God, and to go up the mountain to encounter also The Holy Spirit, for He has Him. Moses obeyed and the Lord deshown us his merciful love” scended in the cloud and stood with Prayer him there. The Holy God descends Father, who sent Your Word to to where Moses is and stands with bring us truth and Your Spirit to him. Then passing before him God make us holy; through them we come reveals His nature: "The Lord, the to know the mystery of Your life. Help Lord, a God merciful and gracious, us to worship You, one God in three slow to anger, and abounding in Persons, by proclaiming and living steadfast love and faithfulness, .... our faith in You. We ask You this, The lord Jesus was a partaker of two Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one incidents which have been described God, true and living, for ever and by the evangelists – at His baptism

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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and at the “Transfiguration” Prayer God for us we call thee Father.

God alongside us we call you Son. God within us we call you Holy Spirit. ………Help us see thee as One in three and be real to us as we pass through our life journey.

The Gospel Proclamation "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Gaze at Jesus Jesus gives voice to His understanding of the will of the Father for His life on earth. It seems that Jesus is confident about His perception about His mission and His ability and commitment towards fulfilling the same. Let us gaze at Jesus who on the one hand is faced with the massive challenge of being the savior of humankind and on the other hand dealing with being true man. Jesus is also faced with the fact that only those who believe in His name will reap the benefit of His salvific life.

Let us gaze at Jesus’ confidence in His Father and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring His work to fruition.

The Second Proclamation Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen

to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Our Sonship St.Paul paints a picture of the relationships and interactions between those who have been redeemed. Let us take this opportunity to evaluate the life we lead with our own families, friends and relatives in the Lord; do we agree with one another, live in peace and greet one another ?

Prayer Starter Blessed are you, O Lord God of our ancestors, and to be praised and highly exalted forever. And blessed is your glorious, holy name, and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, and to be extolled and highly glorified forever Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne on the cherubim and to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne on the cherubim and to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you on the throne of \ your kingdom, and to be extolled and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, and to be sung and glorified forever.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Monday 12th June 2017 2 Corinthians:1/1-7 Psalm: 34/1-8 Mathew: 5/1-12 St. John of Sohagun He has been named after his birthplace Sohagun (Spain). He was a bright, attractive and high spirited lad and soon came to the attention of the Bishop of Burgos who had him educated in his own household. He was ordained priest at 26. Later, on recovering from surgery he decided to join the Hermits of St. Augustine in that city and soon rose to be Master of Novices and eventually Prior.

He was a powerful and utterly fearless preacher and inveighed relentlessly against impurity and vice in high places and the extravagances of feminine apparel. Hired assassins became disarmed by his angelic sweetness and serenity.

Many an enmity and family feud was settled through his intervention. Died: 11th June 1479 as a result of poisoning.

Beatified in 1609 and canonized in 1690.

The First Proclamation Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout Achaia.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. .......

St. John of Sohagun, Confessor Prayerful Awareness "Whoever loves his father or mother son or daughter more than me is not fit to be my disciple. Whoever does not take up his cross and follow in my footsteps is not fit to be my disciple." (Mat. 10/37-38). In Paul's writing and the Gospel extract from Mathew, we have a kind of summary of the Christian life.

To be a Christian in the early years of Christianity meant inviting trouble into one's life. The results were - persecution, abandonment by one's own family members and face hostility from neighbours.

Are Christians left alone to face this test or trial alone? No, never. "God does not give an answer to Job's questions, but He does respond to Job's faith by overwhelming him with a poetic picture of His divine power and wisdom. Job then humbly acknowledges God as wise and great and repents of the wild and angry words he had used. Christianity without the cross is not true Christianity and it is always costly to be a true Christian. We are not left alone to face this test. There is God's comfort, which only He can give us. It brings courage and equips us with fortitude to face all that life can do or bring across. Paul's experience was that one is provided guidance and strength to fulfil the tasks ahead, and this, through the Holy Spirit, who indwells us. It is He who empowers us to comfort others who are going through it; be a source of encouragement as Paul was. "The Old Testament suggests and the New Testament reveals the creative action of the Son and the Spirit, inseparably one with that of the Father. This creative co-operation is clearly affirmed in the Church's rule of faith: "There exists but one God .... He is the Father, God the Creator, the Author, the giver of order. Creation is the common work of the Trinity.

Prayer Starter Help us to woo the cross which is the sheet-anchor of Christianity. Amen

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Tuesday 13th June 2017

2 Corinthians:1/18-22 Psalm:119/129-135 Mathew: 5/13-16 The First Proclamation As surely as God is trustworthy, what we say to you is not both Yes and No. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, that is, by me and by Silvanus and Timothy, was never Yes-and-No; his nature is all Yes. For in him is found the Yes to all God's promises and therefore it is 'through him' that we answer 'Amen' to give praise to God. It is God who gives us, with you, a sure place in Christ and has both anointed us and marked us with his seal, giving us as pledge the Spirit in our hearts.

Fix your gaze on Jesus What an assurance dear Lord, what an assurance!

We who walk in the Spirit know that the Lord God is faithful, and trustworthy. Our journey in faith has by and large been blessed and we have the innermost feeling and conviction of the assurance that 'The Lord Is For Us'!

Are you with me on this, or is your reality significantly different?

May be your life is fraught with emotional vicissitudes, running like an out of control roller coaster, heedless of your expectations.....permanent chaos ruling.

Could also be that life is a more or less permanent placement in the dumps, always filled with disappointments, losses, rejection, danger or violence.

Whatever your life experience is, NOW is the Moment to turn, and experience blessings of our Lord God

St. Anthony of Padua who is present and able to turn your life experience around!

So, what are we to understand from the scripture today? What are God's promises we're come to know about, and which of them have we come to experience in our lives? Which of them do we desire to bring to fruition in our lives? Listen again to the assurances extended in the Living Word given us today! S/He is all 'YES' for us!

Now, staying in the Living Word, and manifesting the new creation we are empowered to bring about, is our own responsibility! In the thoughts we choose (Living Word vs Lies of the Lier) moment by moment, we create for ourselves an experience...that is either uplifting, or down-sliding. When we train ourselves to search for and stay in the truth, freeing ourselves step-by-step from our illusions and delusions (the lies of the Lier), free ourselves from the so called 'Maya', we come in to the 'Light' and experience the 'Power' of our own 'Innate Goodness'. This is the earnest desire of our Father in Heaven.

Jesus in today's Gospel proclaims that, 'You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing....

You are light for the world.... No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in people's sight,...' Remember and stay conscious so as not to loose your Taste! Shine forth reflecting the Light of our Creator God, living a life of testimony to the Lord of Light!

Prayer Starter Yes Lord, I think I understand. Now please translate my understanding in to experienced reality; make me conscious of my inner choices....

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 14th June 2017 2 Corinthians:3/4-11 Psalm:99/5 -9 Mathew: 5/17-19 The First Proclamation Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stone tablets, came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses' face because of the glory of his face a glory now set aside, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory!....

The Gospel Proclamation "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law of the prophets,; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments; and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Prayerful Awareness To call a society civilized, one should be able to observe a certain code of ethics. Such a society is supposed to maintain law and order and the people be united and live in harmony.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to

remove the Law and Prophets. I have not come to remove but to fulfil them."

Here Jesus teaches the lawfulness of the Law - the Law embodied with the Spirit of life, of truth and justice for all.

Jesus proposes a perfect love. He does not intend like other Jewish teachers to reform the religious law or to increase them, He exhorts us to receive the Spirit which inspires the Law. It is more important to always consider the mercy of God than to continually meditate on the Commandments.

He who intends to live as a child of God becomes more perfect than the Pharisees who are preoccupied only with the fulfilment of the external duties. When Jesus shows us the Father and how to live in His sight, He gives us the perfect Law. The Commandments and Ordinances of God are meant to help people live orderly, disciplined and morally sound lives. Through the years, rulers and experts of the Law, misinterpreted it so much that the prophetic teachings had to be revived. Jesus undertook this task of correcting the wrongs and making the observance of the Law a joyful experience for people rather than a burden to be endured.

What is my own attitude and approach to the divine and human law.

What I should think is that the Laws are for the humans and the humans are not for the Law. These Laws should be implemented in a society in a righteous manner so that it would be a better place to live in. It is time that I should first examine how I maintain order in everyday activities in my neighbourhood. Let us be inspired with the words of Jesus "What do you expect the others do to you, likewise do the same to others."

Prayer Starter Extol the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy! (Ps. 99/9)

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Thursday 15th June 2017 2 Corinthians:3/15; 4/1,3-6 Psalm:85/8-13 Mathew: 5/20-26

Gaze at our sonship

The good news is that He invites us to have the same inner attitude. At first glance, we will think that this is impossible. But that is because we forget that with God nothing is The Gospel Proclamation impossible.

For I tell you, unless your Prayerful Awareness righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will Let us prayerfully read today's never enter the kingdom of heaven. first proclamation. St. Paul is clear "You have heard that it was said to that in your case and mine the veil of those of ancient times, 'You shall ignorance (intellectualism) is lifted. not murder' and 'whoever murders I know I am a sinner. My thought shall be liable to judgment.' But processes are contaminated with selfI say to you that if you are angry ishness and ego. I need a redeemer. with a brother or sister, you will be I have found HIM. He is Jesus. Thus liable to judgment, and if you insult the veil is lifted. a brother or sister, you will be liable I believe my sin and guilt is to the council and if you say, ' you fool,' you will be liable to the hell of washed by the precious blood of fire. So when you are offering your Jesus. Gradually I am being made gift at the altar, if you remember whole. Paul uses more bold language that your brother or sister has - (2 Corinthians 3/19) 'And we all, something against you, leave your with unveiled face, beholding the gift there before the altar and go, glory of God, are being changed into first be reconciled to your brother His likeness from one degree of glory or sister, and then come and offer to another; for this comes from the your gift. Come to terms quickly Lord who is Spirit.'

There is no superior attitude with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him or either. For Paul acknowledges the your accuser may hand you over mercy of God (2 Corinthians 4/1-5). to the judge and the judge to the 'Therefore having this ministry by the guard and you will be thrown into mercy of God ..... for what we preach prison. Truly I tell you, you will is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as never get out until you have paid Lord, with our selves as your servants, for Jesus' sake;: the last penny.

What a transformation a Pharisee!

Gaze on Jesus Prayer Starter The inner life of Jesus is one of tremendous freedom. There is an Lord forgive me my impertinence absence of violence. The thinking in thinking that You cannot transform process does not include an attitude me. of superiority - 'Do not call your brother/sister a fool.'

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Friday 16th June 2017 2 Corinthians:4/7-15 Psalm:116/10-11,15-18 Mathew: 5/27-32 The First Proclamation But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extra ordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you....

The Gospel Proclamation "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away, it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

"It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Prayerful Awareness According to St. Paul in Corinthians,

all humans have many problems and hardships in their lives. When one trouble is over another comes, and sometimes two or three follow. But all the same people are not too overburdened with their hardships that they cannot cope up with them. As Jesus never gave up His fight even in the darkest moments until He said, "Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit", we too keep up our struggles of life which come to us in different shapes and sizes and at times too burdensome, while at other times somewhat bearable - but always with Jesus shouldering half of it and never allowing us to sink.

According to St. Mathew although in the sixth Commandment of God, it is written, "You shall not commit adultery" Jesus explains it further by saying, "Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully, has already committed adultery with her in his heart." It means our action starts in the heart and a mere thought is enough to start off a sinful situation. Very often our friends or our close associates are those who lead us to temptations. But Jesus says it is better to lose them with all their benefits rather than to allow them to lead us to sin.

Jesus further speaks against divorce saying that divorce means tempting a man or a woman into the field of adultery.

Hence the sixth Commandment has to be dealt with very delicately as it deals with the flesh and as it is very close to the heart. A slight slip and we may suddenly feel ourselves tempted.

Prayer Starter I kept my faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted", I said in my consternation, "Everyone is a liar."

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. ....

(Ps.116/10-11)

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Saturday 17th June 2017 2 Corinthians:5/14-21 Psalm:103/1-4,8-9, 11--12 Mathew: 5/33-37

"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord'.

But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black, Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Prayerful Awareness

the mind of Jesus, through these words in order to see what Jesus means. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit.

It appears that Jesus is telling us to be truthful, that our words and deeds need to be consistent with our motives, not to live wearing a 'mask', not to lead a life of pretense.

If it is so, there is no need for 'oaths' to be given, in the sense that further confirmation of our words and deeds is not required. Our words and deeds need to reflect our inner motives.

Let me reflect, How do I measure against this standard, which God has specified in my day to day life? Do I keep appointments? Do I tell others that the praise meeting will start at a particular time when I know in my heart that it will not start at that time? Do I keep my appointment with God for "My Hour"?

Therefore, through this Scripture passage, Jesus reminds us of the need to cultivate the attitude of "truthfulness" in word and deed.

What does the adoption of this attitude do for us? When we are not truthful and when we lead a life of pretense, in effect, we wear a "mask" and live. Then, our life becomes burdensome, due to the unnecessary "weight" of this mask, which we wear. Therefore, we cannot be free and happy, even though that is what we aim for. It defeats the very purpose intended.

Another reason for living a life of pretense, is our desire to take our life into our own hands, in order to be independent of God. But, man was created by God to be dependent on Him. Let me look at my own life and see the areas when I wear a "mask".

Prayer Starter

"Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes', 'No' mean 'No'. Anything more is from the evil one." (vs.37). Let us enter into

As the heavens tower over the earth, so God's love, towers over the faithful.

(Ps.103:11)

The First Proclamation For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all, therefore all have died.

And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new! .... God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. .... For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Gospel Proclamation

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Ps. Wk III not know, nor did your fathers know; Deuteronomy:8/2-3 that he might make you know that 14-16 Psalm:147/12-15,19-20 man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything 1 Corinthians:10/16-17 that proceeds out of the mouth of John: 6/51-58 the Lord. …. Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, Introduction who brought you out of the land of All of us have a longing to belong. Egypt, out of the house of bondage, We belong to a family and therefore who led you through the great and have a family name. WE belong to a terrible wilderness with its fiery nation, therefore have a nationality. serpents and scorpions and thirsty We also belong to ethnic groups, sports ground where there was not water, clubs, political parties etc. etc. Today’s who brought you water out of the readings awaken us to a belonging flinty roc, who led you in the wilderwhich surpasses all of the above. It is ness with manna which your fathers about belonging to a body. The body of did not know that, that he might Christ by eating His body and drinking humble you and test you, to do you His blood which He offers us as food good in the end. and drink. In doing so we become what Prayerful Awareness we eat and drink. Let us begin our reflection by praying with the universal “….. Human beings live not on church for the willingness to make bread alone but on every word that present in our world the love of Christ comes from the mouth of Yahweh …..”

Whose body we are …. ‘Lord Jesus These are the words used by Jesus to Christ, we worship you living among answer Satan when He was tempted in us in the sacrament of Your Body and the desert The fact that Jesus remembers Blood. May we offer to our father in these words of Moses shows how much heaven a solemn pledge of undivided He would have loved to read about the love. May we offer to our brothers way Moses fed the people chosen by and sisters a life poured out in loving Yahweh with His Word. In the same service of that kingdom where You live way that food we eat becomes our life, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one the Word of God becomes the ‘LIFE’ God for ever and ever. of His chosen people. Obedience to the words of Yahweh made them thrive as The First Proclamation of God’s a people, and disobedience resulted in Love: Deut. 8/2-3, 14-16 disaster. Moses exhorts the people of And you shall remember all the Yahweh to “Remember, the Lord …..” way which the Lord your God has Prayer led you these forty years in the wilLord Jesus, You would have been derness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in enamoured at the way the chosen peoyour heart, whether you would keep ple attributed all that they experienced his commandments, or not. And he in their lives to the Lord their God. humbled you and let you hunger and Grant us the grace to be taught by them fed you with manna, which you did and experience Your loving and guiding Sunday 18th June 2017

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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hand in everything.

The Gospel: John 6/51-58 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” For my flesh is food indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.”

Prayerful Awareness Today the Lord Jesus is talking about ‘LIFE’. Jesus says that He draws LIFE from the Father. He says that He is the ‘LIVING BREAD’ and anyone who eats this bread and drinks His Blood will have ‘eternal LIFE’. The question is, what is this ‘LIFE’ that Jesus is talking about? To understand the answer better, shall we ask ourselves what life means to ourselves? What should happen in our lives in order to tell ourselves “we have made it”? Would becoming wealthy do it? Would gaining political power do it? Would becoming a person of prestige do it? For Jesus experiencing the life giving LOVE of the Father and sharing that LOVE with the whole of mankind is what gave meaning to His being the Son of Man. The Love that Jesus experienced from the Father was such that the Father was in Him, and anybody looking at Jesus

saw God the Father. The Father’s Will was His food, and that food rather than being incorporated into the Body of Jesus, He became totally one with the Father. Jesus in turn desires that we become one with Him by making His Body and His Blood our food and drink.

He desires that we too enjoy the eternal LIFE He enjoys with His father.

Prayer Lord Holy Spirit, give us the grace to experience the incarnational love of the Father, so that we may become a living proclamation of the word of God. His only begotten Son Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Second Proclamation The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Prayerful Awareness The more Jesus experienced the Love of the Father the more He grew in His awareness of the oneness of the human family. He taught the people that God was their Father. He realized that because of the cohesive nature of humankind His response as the Son of man to God the Father was going to benefit the rest of the family of men spread over time and space.

The early Christian community was taught that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ incorporated them into one body, the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.: Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, You give us Your Body and blood in the Eucharist as a sign that even now we share Your life.

May we come to possess it completely in the kingdom where You live for ever and ever.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Monday 19th June 2017 2 Corinthians:6/1-10 Psalm: 98/1-4 Mathew: 5/38-42

The First Proclamation As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you."

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way; through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships. calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as imposters, and yet are true, as unknown, and yet are well known, as dying, and see - we are alive, as punished and yet not killed, as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Prayerful Awareness In the very first verse, Paul tells us he is God's fellow worker. In God's creation and also in redemption we are His co-workers. In continuing the work of creation we are all expected to co-operate with God the Creator.

"Jesus unites them to the mission He received from the Father. As "the Son can do nothing of His own accord", but receives everything from the Father

St. Romuald, Abbot Who sent Him, so those whom Jesus sends can do nothing apart from Him, from whom they received both the mandate for their mission and the power to carry it out. Christ's apostles knew that they were called by God as "ministers of a new covenant". "servants of God", "ambassadors for Christ", "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (C.C.C. 859) Paul mentions the internal conflicts of the Christian life. Sorrow and death are inseparable.

Of sorrow - life that knows love has to face sorrow. Then there are the crushing disappointments that weigh us down.

Not only that they squeeze life out of us.

The weapon to cope with that is endurance. Then Paul mentions the external tribulations of life. Christianity without suffering - both physical and spiritual is unthinkable. Christians today are on a foundation laid by those who were ready and able to bear the torture of the fire and wild beasts. That physical agony to be a Christian is present even today.

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church". (Tertullian) Patience with others - to bear with them even when they are cruel, insulting and wrong.

Being kind includes putting others at their ease and refraining from giving pain. Paul knew very well that useful words and good deeds too were the results of the help of the Holy Spirit.

Everything in Paul was directed solely towards the honor and service of God. There is 'Agape' which means that spirit, which, irrespective of what anyone else does to it, will always seek the other person's highest good and never dream of revenge. Despite being poor, grieved, chastened and penniless Paul is triumphantly alive with a life that death could not kill.

Prayer Starter Help us to that life where the heavenly things and ways are given priority.

Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Tuesday 20th June 2017 2 Corinthians: 8/1-9 Psalm: 146/1-2, 5-9 Mathew: 5/43-48 The First Proclamation Next, brothers, we will tell you of the grace of God which has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, and how, throughout continual ordeals of hardship, their unfailing joy and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. I can testify that it was of their own accord that they made their gift, which was not merely as far as their resources would allow, but well beyond their resources; and they had kept imploring us most insistently for the privilege of a share in the fellowship of service to God's holy people.... More, as you are rich in everything-faith, eloquence, understanding, concern for everything, and love for us too -- then make sure that you excel in this work of generosity too. I am not saying this as an order, but testing the genuineness of your love against the concern of others. You are well aware of the generosity which our Lord Jesus Christ had, that, although he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you should become rich through his poverty.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Looking to You O Lord, we see Your spirit in action in the communities of Macedonia; he who is truly rich does not reject entering in to poverty; he who is truly powerful does not fear nor reject situations which appear insurmountable; in other words, (outer) appearances do not intimidate those who have faith in their divine endowed abilities….

Our experienced (present) size, shape, strength, abilities, fortitude, or any other physical, mental or psychic attributes are in no way a reflection of the potential laid on us….

God the Father has made us in S/His Image and Likeness; we are gods; in S/ His eyes and thoughts, we are unblemished; we are saints! We are creators who could create what-ever life-taste we would want! Are you ready to enter in to the bounty that we’re been given in and through Christ- the anointed?

Do you believe that you are a Child of the Almighty? That you have the power to heal the sick? Give sight to the blind? Walk on water? Go through walls? Raise the dead? See the possibilities, the future? Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray (healing and salvation) for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you? Are you ready for even greater things than Jesus did when he walked amongst us? You truly believe? That’s great. Wonderful indeed! Enter in to His Kingdom of Love and Mercy and renewing Creation!

But you say that you are still not able to believe? Okay, fine. Remember that you can always change your beliefs. Your beliefs are choices you make. Similar to your choosing what thoughts you entertain, you are able to choose your beliefs. Now, discard these beliefs (that you have accepted up to now) which prevent you from experiencing your divine power and beauty, and replace them with the beliefs that our Loving Creator wishes us to embrace. You choose whether you want the gifts extended….

Prayer Starter Lord, I want to believe. Please help my unbelief ……

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 21st June 2017

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

2 Corinthians: 9/6-11 Psalm: 112/1-4, 9 Mathew: 6/1-6, 16-18

play. Then, no benefit is derived from God for such acts as they have already received their reward. Lord also said to pray to God in an inner room in secret, then Father will pay you, and when we fast do not allow others know and Gospel Proclamation Father will pay you. As Lord is genuJesus said to his disciples:"Take ine, we are also called to be genuine care not to perform righteous deeds in all our acts and intentions, so that in order that people may see them; God seeing our humble and contrite otherwise, you will have no recom- hearts in doing so, will reward us. In pense from your heavenly Father. our society there are some people who When you give alms, do not blow do mighty deeds with othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money a trumpet before you, as the hyp- with the intention of becoming famous ocrites do in the synagogues and collecting all the rewards, respect and in the streets to win the praise of benefits attributed to such acts.Then others. Amen, I say to you, they have there are others who spend their own received their reward.But when you money having earned in righteous ways give alms, do not let your left hand or inherited, mainly to get fame in the know what your right is doing, so society. Lord stated as they receive the that your almsgiving may be secret. benefit they work for, then they will And your Father who sees in secret not receive anything from God for their will repay you. When you pray, do generous acts. We also see some people not be like the hypocrites, who love being guided and controlled by some to stand and pray in the synagogues sort of inferiority complex they have, and on street corners so that others could it be for fame or being talked may see them. Amen, I say to you, big of, respected or honoured among they have received their reward. others, and sometimes even worshiped But when you pray, go to your inner in the presence of other people etc. room, close the door, and pray to We see such weaknesses are used by your Father in secret. And your Fa- others to get what they want done, ther who sees in secret will repay you. making them fools in the presence of When you fast, do not look gloomy God. We should Know and Trust that like the hypocrites. They neglect their Father in heaven Loves and Cares for appearance, so that they may appear us and wants everyone to come to Him to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to in silence for all our requirements and you, they have received their reward. totally depend on Him. But when you fast, anoint your head Prayer Starter and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, God our Loving Father Grant me except to your Father who is hidden. Your Holy Spirit to know the Truth And your Father who sees what is about everything, the Truth about hidden will repay you."

Your Love and Care for all of us whom You created, and the Truth about our Prayerful Awareness Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ and His Jesus said not to do righteous deeds Love to give His life for us. Help us to or give alms for others to see, as a dis- trust and depend on this Great Love,

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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St.Paulinus of Nola, Sts. John Fisher & Thursday 22nd June 2017 Thomas More

2 Corinthians:11/1-11 fulfilled the purpose of bringing God’s Kingdom and His Will to earth, so this Psalm: 111/1-4, 7, 8 must have been Jesus’ daily prayer. Why Mathew: 6/7-15 The Gospel Proclamation When you are praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

"Pray then in this way; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us fro m the evil one.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s reading of Mathew meditatively, and pay special attention to each of the verses of this prayer taught by Jesus. The words Father and heaven appear in verse 9, indicating both distance, as He is in heaven, and closeness by the use of the words Father. This was most probably the intention of Jesus, to bring the unapproachable and feared God closer to us; because He is holy, unlike anything of this world.

Verse ten asks for the Father’s Kingdom and His Will to come to earth. Apart from praying these words daily, what is our role in bringing the Kingdom of God and His Will come? We know most certainly that Jesus, born as a human,

would Jesus then want us also to pray these words? Jesus would have known that it is God’s Will for us to have a role in bringing His Kingdom and Will come to earth, as these two things come to completion each day.

Verse eleven asks for our daily bread. Apart from the obvious daily nutrition, rest and activity what other things are our daily bread? In the metaphorical sense, our daily bread is also the “food” from God to nourish our spirit.

Our spirit can also be hurt and wounded, malnourished or even out of touch and hidden from our own selves so that we are unaware of what our spirit needs.

Verse twelve is about receiving forgiveness and forgiving others. This is the verse that many of us want to say without much thought. Sometimes it catches our consciousness, and we realise that there are people that we cannot forgive; either because we don’t want to or we cannot. Jesus, as a human being would have surely known the difficulty we experience in forgiveness. Yet, the words say that we “have forgiven our debtors”, which can even give us a sense of hypocrisy. However, as the Kingdom of God is come and continues to come to completion, our ability to forgive as the Father forgives, has come and continues to come to completion.

Verse thirteen asks the Father to lead us and to deliver us. God our Father is with us on our journey. We are never alone.

Prayer Starter Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Full of honor and majesty is hiis work, and his righteousness endures forever.

(Ps.111/2-3)

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Friday 23rd June 2017 Deuteronomy:7/6-11 Psalm: 103/1-4, 6-8,10 1 John: 4/7-16 Mathew: 11/25-30 The Second Proclamation Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way; God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. ....... God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

The Gospel Proclamation At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayerful Awareness Jesus mentioned two kinds of people in His prayer, the 'Wise' - ARROGANT in their own knowledge; and the "LITTLE CHILDREN' - Humbly open to receive the truth of God's word. Are you wise in your own eyes, or do you seek the truth in CHILDLIKE faith, realising that ONLY God holds all the answers?

In the Old Testament, "KNOW: means more than knowledge. It implies an intimate RELATIONSHIP . The communion between God the Father and God the Son is the core of their relationship. For anyone else to know God, God MUST reveal Himself to that person, by the Son's choice. How fortunate WE are that Jesus has CLEARLY revealed to us God, His truth, and how we can KNOW Him. Here is Jesus' loving invitation "Come to me .... Take my yoke and learn from me."

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen; it is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. A person may be carrying heavy burdens of SIN, EXCESSIVE demands of religious leaders (Acts 15:10) OPPRESSION and PERSECUTION or WEARINESS in the search of God. Jesus frees people from all these burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is LOVE, HEALING and PEACE with God, NOT the end of all labour. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into Spiritual productivity and purpose.

Prayer Starter Jesus, Lord, help us to trust Your care for us even when we cannot see it.

Thank You, for being with us in our trials and helping us to grow through difficult circumstances.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Saturday 24th June 2017

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Isaiah:49/1-6 Psalm: 139/1-3,13-15 Acts: 13/22-26 Luke: 1/57-66, 80 The First Proclamation ... The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. .....

Prayerful Awareness I read in a book recently that the three things children most need to know from their parents are: (1) Am I seen? (2) Am I worthy? and (3) Do I matter? If we could think back to our own childhood, could we say that these three things were met by our parents? Am I seen? Was I invisible to my father who was constantly working? Or to my mother that had gone abroad to work? Was I worthy of their love for just being me or did I have to constantly compete with my sibling(s) for attention? Or get 100% in all my tests and show good behaviour at ALL times, in order to be worthy of their love?

Did my opinions and feelings matter to them or were they invalidated by what my parents wanted me to accomplish for them? The intention of these reflections are not to arouse anger or blame towards our parents. If that was the case, then all parents are to be blamed. Instead, it is a sincere and honest look at our human fallibility to be parents and the inability to provide all that our children need. If you are a parent yourself (as I am myself) we know how constantly we fail to provide these three things to our children at all times. Therefore, the maturity to see and accept our parents’ weaknesses, because we have come to realise and accept our own weaknesses, is essential so that we do not blame or judge.

Although we were brought up by an

imperfect love by our parents, the good news is that most of us are now adults (or if not yet an adult, old enough to not depend on our parents for everything) and no longer need to be parented by our parents. Nevertheless, we do need to be parented for we are wounded by the imperfect human love that we received.

The good news is that we can now allow the Father to parent us with a perfect and an unconditional love. Although as adults we depended on our human parents, now as wise adults we can now look to God the Father. He was the one that actually created us and wanted us to be born!

“Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name”, Isaiah 49: 1. As children we were blind to that reality because that is the nature of humanity, but we no longer need to live in that darkness.

God further says that He “formed me in the womb” and that “I am honored in the eyes of the Lord”, Isaiah 49:5. “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways”, Psalms 139: 1-3.Therefore, this accomplishes our first need, Am I seen? Yes I am to the very depth of my core. Now to the next questions, Am I worthy? In today’s reading of Acts we see of course that I am worthy, worthy enough for God’s own son to be sent to earth, to suffer and die, so that I can be saved. Now let us ask the Father if we matter? My spirit’s longing to be united to the Father, to see Him face to face, has been planned from long before; from Abraham, Moses to the intricate details of the birth of John the Baptist. So the answer is yes I matter, and that need is met by my Father.

Prayer Starter O Lord, You have searched me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, You discern my thoughts from far away.

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Sunday 25th June 2017 Jeremiah: 20/10-13 Psalm: 69/1-47-9,13,16 32-34 Romans: 5/12-15 Mathew: 10/26-33 Introduction Today we are made conscious of the reality of evil with which we have to live. What is our response to it? The temptation is to keep silent, not to rock the boat. But may we? The long history of glorious martyrs in Christianity challenge us. The entrance antiphon prepares us for the word from the Lord in the matter of facing evil.

‘God is the strength of his people.

In him, we His chosen live in safety.

Save us, Lord, who share in Your life, and give us Your blessing, be our shepherd for ever.’

The First Proclamation of God’s Love: Jeremiah 20/10-13 For I hear many whispering, Terror is on every side! “Den ounce him! Let us denounce him! Say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him.”

But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, who tries the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Ps. Wk. IV

life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.

Prayerful Awareness Jeremiah sensing danger from evil doers does not look the other way but faces it. His prayer does not consist of sanctimonious platitudes, rather he gives vent to his feelings and faces the reality of persecution. But what would have pleased Jesus in the response of Jeremiah is the reliance on the Lord for his protection and support. Jeremiah also considers his tribulations as a test, and a probing of the mind and heart by the Lord.

Lord Jesus I am sure that Jeremiah would have been one of Your boyhood heroes forming Your attitudes and values, preparing You for the great task ahead of You. When You faced vicious opposition from the Jewish establishment and was the subject of a murder plot. You would no doubt have been inspired by Jeremiah’s staunch dependence on the Lord’s help.

Prayer I pray to You, O Lord for the time of Your favour, O God! In Your great kindness answer me with Your constant help. Answer me, O Lord for bounteous is Your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me. Lord in Your great love, answer me. (Responsorial Psalm) The Gospel: Mathew 10/26-33 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the house-tops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?

And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will.

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. So every one who acknowledges me before me, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus empathises with the fear of His disciples. Jesus seems to be very much aware of he receptiveness and response to the good news to be expected from a people, caught up in a world of their own. God was a distant reality whom they used as and when they felt like it. Jesus shares with His disciples the way He sees reality For Jesus challenges His disciples to become aware of things not perceived by the senses, beyond the limits of one’s existence as a human being on this earth. He says, “Every hair on your head has been counted” to convince the disciples of His own experience of the Father’s Love which included the whole of His being.

Prayer

through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned – sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

Prayerful Awareness

What is the use of my obedience to the Will of God when those who are supposed to be dedicated to the service of God behave as if there is no God? This is a question that some of us ask ourselves. Jesus our Lord leads us in the way we should respond in such a situation. When he was abandoned by all who were close to Him He depended solely on His Father to see Him through. He did not waver from His initial response to obey the Will of the Father. Although there was no evidence to show how the obedience of a solitary human being could achieve the goal of the Father, Jesus did not seek understanding. The Father’s power saw to it that “Just as by one man’s disobedience many were made Lord Holy Spirit, grant us the sinners; so by one man’s obedience are grace to be in the presence of the all many to be made upright.” powerful, all knowing, ever loving Prayer Starter and eternal Father. Fill us with Your mighty love so that all fear may be Lord Holy Spirit, strengthen our driven out enabling us to face the faith so that we may cling on to the forces of evil the way Jesus Christ promise of the Father. Enlighten our our Lord did. inner being so that we may see the wisdom of walking the journey of faith The Second Proclamation even all alone ……

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Monday 26th June 2017 Genesis: 12/1-9 Psalm:33/12-13,18-22 Mathew: 7/1-5

The First Proclamation Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him.

Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother's son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreb. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east, and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.

Prayerful Awareness What a start we have here to that definite period in the history of salvation.

It is marked by god's intervention and has an everlasting impact on the course of history. The noteworthy thing here is

Abram's unconditional response in faith.

And the climax or the zenith of God's plan is the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Abram did not waver or had second thoughts in responding to His invitation and he became the Father of Faith, an instrument of a plan of salvation that included all the nations. What an outstanding example of faith we have in Abram! As devout Christians we have to follow Abram's footprints and be alert to God's loving presence to and in man.

"By faith Abraham ob eyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as n inheritance and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. (Heb. 11:8). By faith, he lived as a stranger and pilgrim in the promised land. (Genesis 23:4). By faith, Sarah was given to conceive the son of promise. And by faith, Abraham offered his only son in sacrifice. (Hebrews 11:17) (C.C.C. 145) "God calls one man out of a multitude of nations to be the channel of His saving grace to the world. God calls him to be a blessing to all the families of the earth.

Abram obeyed. He responded to God's call. Why did God choose Abram and not some other person? We do not know.

Why did Jesus choose peter, James, John and not others? We do not know. But we know one thing. If we respond to God's call we shall be blessed. We are not called to be the head of a nation like Abram, nor the founder of a congregation like Don Bosco. but the social aspect is not so important as the individual aspect. We are individually responsible to God. The individual responsibility is the essential thing. everything is ultimately reduced to individual responsibility. (Words of Eternal Life).

Prayer Starter Make your faith strong and unwavering and to bear fruit, fruit that will last. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Tuesday 27th June 2017

St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop & Doctor

Genesis: 13/2, 5-18 Psalm:15/1-5 Mathew: 7/6, 12-14 The First Proclamation 'Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces. 'So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the Law and the Prophets. 'Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Dearest Lord, help us come before the essence of the Mind of the Creator God that you'd want us to understand and align with in order to live in the Light....

Jesus our Lord cautioned his audience on these aspects.

Valued things, whether of material or immaterial origin should only be accorded to those who are able to appreciate it. However, the reality is that those who are able to appreciate valued things already have an inkling of that which they are looking out for! In other words, let us recall another saying of Jesus, '(What you) seek, and (is what) you shall find...'.

Underlying all this is the fact that we, who are created in the image and likeness of God, are creators ourselves.

Our beliefs create our reality for us!

Hard to accept this? Let's illustrate. If your belief is that your neighbour is 'out to get you', then all occurrences/ circumstances will look like that to

you, reinforcing the belief already held. When the neighbour frowns, that confirms your belief that they are angry and/or are looking for an excuse to fight with you; and when s/ he smiles, you wonder at how crafty even their smiles are! When they burn their waste, and a whiff of the smoke comes your way, you know that they are doing this purposefully to irritate you and to make a nuisance of themselves. You of course know that they are mischief makers 'out to get you'.

All this really proves is that our inner beliefs create our outer reality!

The power to create our reality, our 'taste of life' is vested on us! Having given us the power, the Lord desires that we wield the power vested on us in an intelligent and wise manner.

Shall we?

We also have a responsibility towards those who are perennially inclined to read weakness in to kindness and to exploit the helping hand; beware! Do not embrace, encourage or further these erroneous thoughts.

Stand against such thought patterns...

We serve a Just Creator who rewards us according to what we choose; ie: We reap what we sow: our inner taste of life is a reflection of the thoughts and beliefs we choose.

Thus does the Lord ask us to treat the Other as we would like to be treated ourselves. Shall we?

Prayer Starter Dearest Lord, we are truly astounded in the power we're vested with, and comforted by your assurances. Now do turn us anew so that we anchor ourselves on the rock of your Living Word and create what is beneficial for ourselves and your creation ....

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

35

Wednesday 28th June 2017 Genesis: 15/1-12, 17-18 Psalm: 105/1-5,6-9 Mathew:7/15-20 Gospel Proclamation Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves.

You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit.

A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.

Gaze at Jesus Jesus is talking about the quality of our Christian lives that is guided by the fruits of the Spirit. Fruits of the Spirit that nourish man are love, joy peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These were fruits that Jesus exercised until his death on the cross for finally the Centurion identified Jesus as the son of God. Our sonship First reading in Genesis is the creation story. God created the world with His word. As the word was uttered the creation came into being by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the manifestation of the trinity brought the creation into visibility. Therefore, we can claim that Christ is not only in the rest of the creation but also in us and we are to mirror God’s image.

Against the Goodness of God, what was planted in the world by the devil is deceit. The deceit that got our first parents in to trouble seems to have multiplied over generations today to the

St. Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr

extent we are unable to identify truth against deception.

Let us reflect on some guiding truths that give man life.

John 10:10 Jesus says “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”.

John 14: 16 – 17 says “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you”.

John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Those who poses these truths live a different life in the world bearing the fruits of the Spirit as their guiding principles.

Prayerful Awareness from Psalm 105: 6-9 You his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations,the covenant he made with Abraham,the oath he swore to Isaac.

Prayer Starter Dear Holy Spirit of God, we pray that we have the wisdom to claim the promises of the Lord that nourished generations to live in the truth with confidence. We pray that we will be able to enact the guiding principles of our faith in our life to mirror God’s image in the society

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

36

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Thursday 29th June 2017 Acts: 12/1-11 Psalm: 34/1-4 2 Timothy: 4/6-8,17-18 Mathew: 16/13-19 Gospel Proclamation When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples,"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Prayerful Awareness Jesus Christ received His first education from Holy Mother when growing up and from the Guidance and Response received from the Holy Spirit who was there with Him all the time, to make Jesus Christ know that He was the Son of God. People expected the Son of God, the Messiah to be born to an aristocrat family as the scripture (Isaiah 11.1 ) said that he will be a shoot (generation) of Jesse the father of King David and of King David ( Jeremiah 23.5), and so had to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5.2).

Sts. Peter & Paul, Apostles But, people knew Jesus Christ as of Nazareth where He grew up, and due to this they could not accept Him as the Messiah, and only few simple persons who witnessed miracles He performed could accept Him as the Messiah.

When Lord asked the disciples as to who they think of Him, it was only Peter who said that He is the Messiah, which proved Lord that only Peter was guided by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love of God the Father, and by this Lord knew that Peter was the person to lead His disciples and declared that Peter will receive the divine powers required to have a strong and unshaken Faith like a rock. Most of us have received a special blessing of the Holy Spirit to be guided by the Holy Spirit to avoid sin and to live a pious life according to the Will of God the Father, thus to be as pleasing Children of God who are led by the Spirit of God ( Rom. 8.14). But, do we always act as Children of God ( displaying qualities of Jesus Christ), praying and depending on the Guidance of the Holy Spirit before we act, and be full of patience, love. kindness and mercy ( with Fruits of the Holy Spirit given in Galatians 5. 22 -23).

Prayer Starter God our ever Loving Father, we Thank and Praise for Your Great Love and Care for us, whom You have named as Yours ( Isaiah 43.7), we Trust and know that you never forsake us as You have promised in Deuteronomy 31.8, and we know that You are with us all the time as stated in Isaiah 41.10.

Forgive all our sins and Raise us to be Your Witnesses to bring You Glory in everything and follow all the Teachings of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ according to Your Will, with the Help of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

37

Friday 30th June 2017

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

Genesis:17/1,9-10, 15-22 Psalm: 128/1-5 Mathew: 8/1-4 The First Proclamation When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.

God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. ..... God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her.

I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations, kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his feet and laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah who is ninety years old, bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmael might live in your sight!"......

The Gospel Proclamation When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him, and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do choose. Be made clean! Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.

Gaze at Jesus Jesus comes down from the mountain. He has spent time alone with Abba.

He is full of the unconditional, gratuitous love of the Abba which embraces

all humanity, the healthy, the sick, the marginalised, the untouchables. The leper, bold enough to come forward to Jesus disregards the law of his society.

He should live apart, hidden from the healthy, all by himself. Yet his pleading for cure, to be clean is conditioned on the willingness of Jesus. Isn't it another form of "Thy will be done'? Jesus' heart aches to see the plight of this poor miserable son of God, who was created in His likeness for His glory. Jesus comes closer to the leper and touches him, disregarding the norm of the society. Full of the love of the love of Abba, Jesus has unwavering faith that His touch will heal him, make him clean of physical, moral and spiritual leprosy he is suffering from. Jesus is a faithful adherent of the Mosaic Law which makes people give glory to God. The leper is asked to go to the Temple, to the house of God - Abba - as a son, cleansed all over and give Him glory.

"Take care, do not tell anyone". Jesus does not want publicity by just word of mouth, as everything He does is the Will of Abba, and He directs all to Abba.

Gaze at my sonship If I, as I am now, was present when this incident took place, where would I be? With the disciples observing everything, expecting the impossible to happen? Or would I be an onlooker, standing far apart, so that even the wind touching the leper would not touch me?

Or would I stand close to Jesus willing also to touch Him? When I see him cured would I kneel at Jesus' feet and beg to be cured of all forms of unseen leprosy that I suffer from?

Prayer Starter Abba, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for sending Him to us, to clean us, to cure us of all forms of leprosy that make us unfit to live with Your people. May we go to Him daily, to feel His loving touch and be converted to give You glory in all we do.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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