Walk In the Spirit August 2017

WALK IN THE SPIRIT August 2017 Volume 08 Issue 15

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord"

ISSN 1391-596

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER August 2017

The Abba’s Glory, the pre-occupation of Jesus. He had to say ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ with His life when it came to the witnessing, the reflecting of the Abba’s Glory. If Jesus calls me to be perfect like unto the Abba, it is in order that I may reflect in my life the Abba’s glory.

That should be my pre-occupation.

May the Holy Spirit help me here and now to become aware of myself, to become more and more aware of the Abba’s life within me, breaking forth in an abundance of Light that carries “illumination” reaching out to others.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Tuesday 1st August 2017 St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop & Doctor Exodus:33/7-11;34/5-9 28 Psalm:103/6-13 Mathew:13/36-43

characteristic feature of His teaching.

Through His parables He invites people to the feast of the Kingdom, but He also asks for a radical choice to gain the Kingdom, one must give everything. Words are not enough, deeds are required. The parables are like mirrors for man; will he be hard soil or good earth for the Word?

St. Alphonsus Liguori "What use has he made of the talents he He was the oldest of seven children. has received? Jesus and the presence of He was awarded a doctorate in Law at the Kingdom in this world are secretly at the age of 16. In order to discover God's the heart of the parables. One must enter Will in prayer and works of charity he the Kingdom, that is, become a disciple of gave up his profession at 27. He was Christ, in order to "know the secrets of the ordained priest in 1726. He founded the Kingdom of heaven." For those who stay Redemptorists on 19th November 1732. "outside", everything remains enigmatic.

After 1752 he devoted himself to writing.

(C.C.C. 546) Weeds were and are one of Altogether we have 111 books and treathe curses against which farmers have to ties from his pen. These have seen over labour. The weeds, Our Lord spoke of in 4000 editions in over sixty languages. this parable, closely resembled the wheat Piety without knowledge makes one useand was impossible to distinguish them. less. Knowledge without piety renders At a later stage when the heads appear one one arrogant. He proved by example that could distinguish them, but by that time sanctity and learning in fact go together. the roots are so intertwined that weeding He became a Bishop in 1762. He was cannot be done. What a practical parable a victim to a severe attack of gout and we have here! It draws our attention to rheumatic fever which left him partially the hostile powers that seek the ruin of paralysed. Died - July 18, 178. Beatified the good. The two influences, good and

by Pope Pius VII on 15th September bad, act on our lives and we must always 1816. Canonized by Pope Gregory XVI be on our guard and also be watchful. It on 26th May 1839. Declared Doctor of is really hard to say or classify whether the by Pope Pius IX on 23rd March 1871. a person is in the Kingdom or not. Some The Gospel Proclamation may appear to be good but in fact are bad Then he left the crowds and went and vice versa. It is beyond our capacity into the house. And his disciples ap- and knowledge to classify people. The proached him, saying, "Explain to us way the farmers wanted to act teaches us the parable of the weeds of the field." a lesson - not to be quick with our judgeHe answered, "The one who sows the ments. We see they had to wait until the good seed is the son of man, the weeds harvest came. We will be judged only on are the children of the evil one, and the our whole lives and that too only at the enemy who sowed them is the devil, the end. What do we see in the parable of the harvest is the end of the age, and the Lost Son? (Luke 15:11-32) He makes a reapers are angels. Just as the weeds great mistake but later repents and makes are collected and burned up with fire, a dramatic come back to the loving and waiting father. so will it be at the end of the age. ....

Prayer Starter Prayerful Awareness Help us not to judge others at all but Jesus' invitation to enter His Kingleave it to You. Amen. dom comes in the form of parables, a

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 2nd August 2017 St.Eusebius of Vercelli, St.Peter Julion Eymard

This is what our Lord Jesus wants Exodus:34/29-35 for us! This is what the Father desires Psalm:99/5-7, 9 for us, and the Holy Spirit would have Mathew: 13/44-46 us awaken to!

The glories of this world, this The Second Proclamation of God’s wondrous creation of the Almighty, so Love entrancing in its variety and lustre, so 'The kingdom of Heaven is like alluring and enchanting and sating to treasure hidden in a field which the primary senses, however pales in someone has found; he hides it again, significance beside that of the heavenly goes off in his joy, sells everything experience described earlier. he owns and buys the field. 'Again, Moses awakened to this reality; the kingdom of Heaven is like a today's scripture say that his face was merchant looking for fine pearls; radiant when he came down from the when he finds one of great value he mountain after spending some time goes and sells everything he owns talking with the Godly presence. So and buys it. much so, that Aaron and the Israelites were fearful of coming near Moses. If Fix your gaze on Jesus just a vestige of God's presence transLord Holy Spirit, You who bring us forms a human to such an extent, try to look at the Lord Jesus, the Living to imagine what being in his presence Word, the 'God Program' as it were, the fully would be like!

'Information Component' directing the Decision time: Shall we become Creative Energies towards desired results, and so on, now help us to be mes- cognizant of the true nature of reality? merised by the Mind-Of-The-Christ... That there are other layers / dimensions to reality that simply cannot be grasped Treasure: a collection of valuable with our primary senses. That we, huthings, found hidden with the owner manity has a calling to transcend our unknown; a person who is much loved present narrow focus on searching for and valued. All of these definitions succour on the material plane of being; are equally applicable to the Second that our drive for sensory gratification Person of the Triune God we believe can but give us transitory fulfilment. in and worship.

That a higher level of satisfaction and The Kingdom of Heaven is in some fulfilment is realisable by awakening to measure an experience of abiding in our spiritual nature. Search more dilaccord with the Will of the Abba and igently, steadfastly for that 'Treasure', enjoying that Love and Harmony, of for that 'Fine Pearl' which we know worthiness and contentment in the will bring us lasting happiness and fulfilment of all heartfelt desires, of fulfilment. It's your decision. Go for it! continued bliss, and responding in Prayer Starter an unending chorus of praise and Thank you O Holy Spirit for being thanksgiving, of glorifying and magnifying the Source of All Goodness. here for us! Now, help us awaken to It's a relationship, a give and take, a this bigger reality where the heavenly binding together in Love, that fulfils wonders open up to us, and the glory our hearts desires. What more do you of this world fades away in context.... want? Nothing, really.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Thursday 3rd August 2017 Prayerful Awareness Exodus:40/16-21, 34-38 Psalm:85/1-4, 7, 10 The parable of the Fishing Net has the same meaning as the parable of the Mathew: 13/47-53 The First Proclamation Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him. In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was set up. Moses set up the tabernacle; he laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars, and he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. He took the covenant and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark, and set the mercy seat above the ark, and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the curtain for screening, and screened the ark of the covenant, as the Lord had commanded Moses.....

The Gospel Proclamation "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind, when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Have you understood all this?"

They answered, "Yes," And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.

Wheat and the Weeds. We are to OBEY God and TELL others about His grace and goodness, but WE cannot dictate who is part of the Kingdom of heaven and who is not. This sorting will be done at the last judgement by those infinitely more qualified than we.

Anyone who understands God's real purpose in the Law as revealed in the Old Testament has a REAL TREASURE. The Old Testament points the WAY to Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus always upheld it's authority and relevance. But there is a double benefit to those who understand Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven.

This was a NEW TREASURE that Jesus was revealing. Both the OLD and NEW teaching give practical guidelines for FAITH and living in the world.

The religious leaders however, were TRAPPED in the old and BLIND to the new. They were looking for a future kingdom PRECEDED by judgement.

Jesus however, taught that the Kingdom was NOW and the judgement was FUTURE. The religious leaders were looking for a PHYSICAL and TEMPORAL kingdom thro' Military rebellion and spiritual significance of the Kingdom that CHRIST brought.

Jesus taught the people through sermons, illustrations and parables.

Through His teachings, He showed the true ingredients of faith and how to guard against a fruitless and hypocritical life.

Prayer Starter God Almighty Father, help us to live

by Your standards right now. Show us how to live as faithful subjects in God's Kingdom. Help us to recognize Jesus for Who He really is and worship Him as KING of our lives.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Friday 4th August 2017 Leviticus:23/1-2, 4-11 15-16, 27, 33-37 Psalm: 81/1-5, 9-10 Matthew: 13/54-58

The Gospel Proclamation He came to His hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this? And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house." And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

Prayerful Awareness It was in Nazareth the hometown of Jesus. Jesus was at the synagogue teaching the people. The people were so taken up and were astonished in the way Jesus taught with such wisdom and with miraculous powers. They could not reconcile with the idea that one who was so familiar to them could be blessed with such extraordinary wisdom.

Also, in today's gospel we see how the relatives of Jesus react when Jesus began His public ministry. Because of their closeness to Jesus, they could not see Him clearly. He was simply too familiar to them. They could not

St. John Mary Vianney, Priest bring themselves to believe that their local carpenter is a great man.

So we see that Jesus is not accepted by His own familiar people. Jesus says aloud that no prophet is accepted in his own house. It is too much for them to accept.

My sonship I can remember how my family was rejected by my own people and how we became desperate. The only hope was Jesus. How Jesus responded to a similar situation throws us light.

Without grudge and bitterness Jesus just moved out. Thus He tells us that non acceptance from your own people is a normal reaction with no malice attached to it. It is a normal response of people since familiarity breeds contempt.

Help me Lord to imitate You wherever I find myself in similar situations.

According to the First Proclamation, festivals of Israel were given and decreed by the Lord as a means to acclaim holiness. However with time many of the feasts lost their meaning and came to be celebrated more in a worldly than a religious manner and thus failed to have an impact in the spiritual life of the people. Nazareth failed to understand the message of Jesus Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, You completed Your mission of building the Kingdom of heaven on this earth with constant faith in Our Father God. Let us too live in this great faith and also always create a living faith within the environment we live in. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Saturday 5th August 2017

Dedication of the Basicila of St.Mary Major

At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him." For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptiser here on a platter." The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given, he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

Prayerful Awareness

a finger at the Tetrach of Galilee, Herod.

The Tetrach does not want his private life to be broadcast to the public by this no-nonsense preacher and shuts him up inside the jail. At his birthday party Herodias, Philip's wife traps the drunken Tetrach to get rid of the irritable preacher who is pricking the conscience of her husband's powerful brother.

Even today, prophets chosen by God to prick the conscience of the world are dealt heavy blows, persecuted and sometimes secretly done away with. If we are too scared to openly say what is right and wrong (the motive should be love and promptings of the Holy Spirit) we should at least pray for those who do.

Today's first proclamation is also from the book of Leviticus. In it we find that God speaks to the fledging nation of Israel and telling them that He is going to gift them a land. It is a reminder of sorts that the land does not belong to them but really to Him, the Author of creation who has chosen a poor, powerless people and made them into a nation, adopted them as His chosen race, to gradually unfold His mighty plan to redeem the whole human race through His only begotten Son, who is going to come into the world as a helpless Jewish baby. Moses gives certain guidelines to remind the people that the land they occupy is a gift from God. Getting back to the modern world scenario, the world economy does not permit us to follow the guidelines set

by Moses. However, let us remember that everything we possess is but a gift of God and we should hold onto worldly gifts very lightly.

Prayer Starter

John the Baptist was a fiery preacher. John had obviously quoted Leviticus 18/16 "You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife, it is your brother's nakedness" and pointed

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.

(Ps. 67:1-2)

Leviticus:25/1,8-17 Psalm: 67/1-2, 4,6-7 Mathew: 14/1-12 OR Revelation:21/1-5 Psalm:Judith:13/18-19 Luke: 11/27-28 The Gospel Proclamation

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Sunday 6th August 2017

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Transfiguration of the Lord Ps. Wk. II Daniel:7/9-10,13-14 for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, Psalm: 97/1-2,5-6, 9 suddenly a bright cloud overshad2 Peter:1/16-19 owed them, and from the cloud a Matthew:17/1-9 voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples The First Proclamation heard this, they fell to the ground As I watched, thrones were set and were overcome by fear. But Jein place, and an Ancient One took sus came and touched them, saying, his throne, his clothing was white "Get up and do not be afraid." And as snow, and the hair of his head when they looked up, they saw no one like pure wool, his throne was fiery except Jesus himself alone. flames, and its wheels were burning As they were coming down the fire. mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell A stream of fire issued and flowed no one about the vision until after out from his presence. A thousand the Son of Man has been raised from thousands served him, and ten the dead." thousand times ten thousand stood The Second Proclamation attending him. The court sat in judgFor we did not follow cleverly ment and the books were opened. devised myths when we made known As I watched in the night visions, to you the power and coming of our I saw one like a human being comLord Jesus Christ, but we had been ing with the clouds of heaven. And eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he he came to the Ancient One and received honor and glory from God was presented before him. To him the Father when that voice was conwas given dominion and glory and veyed to him by the Majestic Glory, kingship, that all peoples, nations, saying "This is my Son, my Beloved, and languages should serve him. His with whom I am well pleased."

We dominion is an everlasting dominion ourselves heard this voice come from that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. destroyed.

So we have the prophetic message The Gospel Proclamation more fully confirmed. You will do Six days later, Jesus took with well to be attentive to this as to a him Peter and James and his broth- lamp shining in a dark place, until er John and led them up a high the day dawns and the morning star mountain, by themselves. And he rises in your hearts. was transfigured before them, and Prayerful Awareness his face shone like the sun, and Immediately after the miracle of his clothes became dazzling white.

Suddenly there appeared to them the loaves and fishes, Jesus and the Moses and Elijah, talking with him. disciples are separated. The disciples Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is are alone in the boat. Jesus is not with good for us to be here; if you wish, I them, having remained behind to send will make three dwellings here, one away the crowds. (vs.22). Two things

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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are going on simultaneously. As the disciples set off across the lake, Jesus goes up on the mountain to pray (vs.

23). The Lectionary says that He went 'into the hills", but this misses the biblical idea of Jesus ascending the mountain, a traditional place for contact with God. In prayer, Jesus returns to the source of all that He is and does.

But while Jesus is in close contact with God the crossing of the lake becomes a conflict, a battle with a heavy sea. The contrast between the situation of Jesus and that of His followers is vividly reported: When evening came He was there alone, while the boat, now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea'. (vs. 24). Late in the night, Jesus comes to them out of the darkness, across the waters (vs.25).

He has left the union of prayer with God to join His struggling disciples.

Yet, despite their need for Him, His presence strikes fear into their hearts as they cry out, "It is a ghost'. (vs. 26) Jesus reveals Himself to them in a formula which has a long history in the Bible: 'It is I" (vs. 27). From Moses' encounter with the burning bush (see Exodus 3:14) , down to the conflicts of the prophets with the false gods, introduced into Israel (see especially Isaiah 43:10, 45:18), this formula was used to speak of the presence of the true God to His people. 'It is I'. Over against all other gods, and all threats to His people, God is present to them.

Equally important to moments when God or the Angel of God speaks to his people are the words of encouragement: 'Do not be afraid'.

Peter's response is typical. At first he is prepared to take a risk upon the word of Jesus. If it is Jesus, he will only have to call Him across the water, and He will come (vs. 28). At first he places his trust in the Lord, but then succumbs to the pressures of the storm around him. However, in this situation

he calls on the help of the Lord and Jesus holds him and keeps him safe. (vs.30-31). In Peter's situation of little faith and doubt, his Lord has stood by him. So it is with all the disciples in the boat. Jesus and Peter get into the boat, the wind drops and all confess: 'Truly, you are the Son of God.' (vs. 33) Gaze at Jesus In the experience of the disciples and Peter we find reflected the experience of every Christian. We often begin with the great courage which only faith can give us, but such courage of faith dwindles when wind and wave assail it.

In this situation we remain ultimately dependent upon the gracious help of our Lord. Without Jesus we can make no headway. Jesus is the one who is close to God, who unfailingly looks to Him for guidance and strength, while we go on with the everyday things in our lives, never giving our God a thought. Yet, when difficulties come, God is there, coming out of the darkness into our lives. But even then our faith can falter. He sometimes asks us to do strange things: to jump out of the boat into the stormy water.

Encouragingly, Peter's story - and the story of it is to those of little faith, that Jesus still comes, holding us close and leading us into the safety and peace which only He can give.

Prayer Starter (Ps.97/1-2, 5-6, 9) The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice, let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Monday 7th August 2017

Sts. Xystus II, Pope & Companions St. Cajetan Priest

Numbers: 11/4-15 Psalm:81/11-16 Mathew:14/13-21 Gospel Proclamation When Jesus received this news he withdrew by boat to a lonely place .... But the crowds heard of this and, ...., went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples ... said, 'This is a lonely place, and time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.'

Jesus replied, 'There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.' But they answered, 'All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.'

So he said, 'Bring them here to me.' He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps left over, twelve baskets full. Now about five thousand men had eaten, to say nothing of women and children.

Prayerful Awareness Let us meditatively dwell on today’s Proclamations where the central theme revolves round food which God provides His people for their physical nourishment, and also used as a symbolic representation of spiritual nourishment our Abba Father has given us through the salvific action of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as contained in the narrative in relation to the Last Supper: “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples.

'Take it and eat,' he said, 'this is my body.'

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them saying, 'Drink from this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

(Mathew 26:26-27).

Our Lord Jesus Christ was always attuned to do the Will of Abba Father notwithstanding his personal feelings and emotions, or the pain and suffering he would have to undergo for doing so. The situation in today’s Gospel reading is in the context of the news that has reached that John the Baptist had been killed. And Jesus is feeling deeply sorrowful at the death of his beloved cousin and wishes to be by himself in order to deal with this extremely sad news. However the people have heard of Jesus’ whereabouts and have flocked to the place in large crowds, and ‘His heart was filled with pity for them, and healed those who were ill’ till evening. Then rather than sending them back on empty stomachs, He discerns the Father’s Will to feed the crowd, and proceeds to take steps to feed them using His Father’s authority and power to do so, not for His own glory but to glorify the Father!

In today’s First Proclamation we see how God provided the basic needs of the people in the desert, and how they yet complained, hankering after the life of slavery, as is our human nature! The Bible tells us that there were some 600,000 men alone in the desert, not to mention women and children, which would have been a logistical nightmare for anyone to feed and care for, other than Almighty God! Let us firmly be in God’s Love in a spirit of thanksgiving and praise at all times to receive His providence continually, claiming God’s promise, as follows: Psalm (81:16 part) 'while I would feed him on pure wheat, would give you your fill of honey from the rock.'

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Tuesday 8th August 2017

Numbers:12/1-13 Psalm:51/1-5, 10-11 Matthew: 14/22-36 OR 15/1-2,10-14

The Gospel Proclamation Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost". And they cried out in fear,.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.

Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened and beginning to sink, he cried out "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying "Truly you are the Son of God." Prayerful Awareness

St. Dominic, Priest

lake was famous, had come down.

When life was a struggle and the wind was against them, Jesus was there to help them. The wind in our lives is often against us and we find life a desperate struggle, with circumstances, ourselves and with many other things. It is sad to note that we often forget Jesus Who is at the door and is knocking. He comes to us across these storms of life. He wants us to take heart and not to panic. Through and beyond this incident we see the Father and His loving care for His children. Peter's inner self is clearly or fully revealed here. He acted on impulse and without counting the cost. The reason behind was that he was ruled by his heart. "But Peter never finally failed, for always in the moment of his failure he clutched at Christ. The wonderful thing about him is that every time he fell, he rose again, and it must have been true that even his failures brought him closer and closer to Jesus Christ. As has been well said, a saint is someone after a fall gets up and goes on again every time. Peter's failures only made him love Jesus Christ the more." (William Barclay). 'Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of Peter." (Mat. 14:31).

"The deliverance was first and then the gentle rebuke and that probably with a smile on His face and love in His voice. Courageous in the boat but timid in the waters, he would later on be bold at the Last Supper, but cowardly the night of the trial. The scene at the lake was a rehearsal for another fall of Peter." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen).

Prayer Starter

Always and never to let impulse rule us but to count on You the Lord A sudden storm, for which the of our lives.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 9th August 2017 Numbers:13/1-2, 25, 14/1,26-29, 34-35 Psalm: 106/6-7,13-14, 21-25 Matthew: 15/21-28 The First Proclamation The Lord said to Moses, "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites; ...

At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land.

Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. .....

Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank you O Holy Spirit of God for helping us see! We are indeed blessed to experience the Ever-Present, Ever-Loving, Ever-Uplifting, Ever-Soothing Spirit…..

In the First Reading today, God wants his people to go and lay claim to that what he will give them; and wants their leaders to survey and assess 'What-Is'.

Instead of glorifying God and boldly embracing what was offered, those 'Leaders' became awed and frightened at what they witnessed. They assessed what was before them, in comparison to their own assessments of 'What They Were'. They delved in to their own histories, what they had achieved until then, what was seen to be their own strength, and projected their inadequacies on to the 'What-Will-Be'.

The assurances of the Lord, His Mighty deeds, His promises: these do not seem to be considered at all by these 'Leaders'.

Isn't that just 'Like our own thinking'?

When brought very low, and difficulties appear in the HERE and NOW, it is customary for us to focus thereto, and generate stress for ourselves due to our inherited belief of powerlessness; of being 'Victims' of circumstances. This though, is rebelliousness. We are born

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross rebels, habitually inclined to “Fight or Flight” responses. The third response of “Accepting What-Is, and letting the Almighty do Mighty things for (in and through) Me” normally is beyond us. The Holy Spirit has to teach us to stay “Vulnerable” like the Beloved Son and the Blessed Mother. Suggest that we should learn with zeal the song of “Let it Be….”?

Due to these habitual mental practices, we forget all of the Original Goodness we were blessed with; the What-Was. We also loose sight of the blessings available and flowing through to us right here and now in the present. Our minds then move on to project this incomplete and stressful perception of the Now-Here for the Future and perpetuate What-Will-Be with dire scenario, prolonging and amplifying our stress and agony. Please do understand that we are in sin; it would do us well to remember that pain, misery, isolation and death is the result of sin!

Now look at the woman in the Gospel today. She is NOT of this typical mindset. Read again of her approach to Jesus.

Evaluate for yourself the spirited and positive mind-set she is practicing! Try to assess the belief patterns she would have had to hold within to respond so. See for yourself her humility and thankfulness.

Now tell me, shouldn’t we all also go there? Then assess for yourself as to what prevents you from going there. What beliefs and habitual mental thought patterns hold you back? Let the Holy Spirit guide you towards the truth concerning yourself. Repent and change your ways of thinking! Be born again today. Become a new person. Allow the Living Word to become Flesh in you. Open the door! Let Jesus enter. Stay with the Word, and the Word will empower you, lift you up, heal you, and save you. It will happen right now if you so desire!

Prayer Starter Most gracious Lord, Train us to use our gift of choice with wisdom, with humility…

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Thursday 10th August 2017 2 Corinthians:9/6-10 Psalm:112/1-2, 5-9 John:12/24-26 The First Proclamation The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." ....

The Gospel Proclamation Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the father will honor.

Prayerful Awareness Today's scripture reading reveals to us one of the greatest truths of nature, it is all about sowing and reaping. It is the law of nature that a seed that is sown has to lose its identity in order to produce a new plant out of it. Thus generous sowing leads to abundant fruit.

Jesus Christ laid down His precious life for the salvation of all mankind. The eternal mystery of death yielding life in nature, exemplifies perfectly the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection that gave us life. Jesus dies and the Universal Church is born.

St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr This is the case of all the martyrs who died in the name and service of Jesus to effect a church which will flourish throughout every corner of the earth.

Incidentally, the Catholic Church today celebrates the feast of St. Lawrence. He was one of the deacons out of seven who cared for widows, orphans, slaves and the poorest of the Jerusalem Church, which was the poorest of the churches. He gave bountifully and was Good News to the least of the people, the children of God in need. He gave everything including his life, so that they might have life abundantly, both physically and spiritually. St. Lawrence became the grain of wheat dying after service. And all the people knew that where St. Lawrence the servant of God was, truly God was there with them too.

Our Father God tells us that He would honour anyone who serves Him. Are we servants of the Lord, caring for the least of our brothers and sisters and loving our lives, but losing it for the sake of others? St. Paul in the first reading says that God loves a cheerful giver.

God is perfectly able to enrich us with every grace, so that we would always have enough for every conceivable need and our resources overflow in all kinds of good work.

If I am to act according to the Holy Will of God, I have to die to my own self. The world provides me with a lot of temptations, such as comforts, pleasures and ease. I know that these are for the time being. As a Christian let me gaze at Jesus as an ideal model and act according to His teachings in order to inspire others to inherit Kingdom values.

Prayer Starter Grant me courage O Lord to possess a generous heart to undergo a death to my self, so that life may be fruitful in Your sight. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Friday 11th August 2017 Deuteronomy: 4/32-40 Psalm: 77/12-15, 20 Mathew: 16/24-28 The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Prayerful awareness Please read Mathew 16:24-28 meditatively. When reading this passage, I was immediately reminded of Saint Francis of Assisi, apart from Mother Mary and the apostles, he was one such person that took this command from Jesus literally, and followed all His ways. Saint Francis’s embracing of poverty did not unravel all at once.

He may have read or heard this passage from Mathew many times, without hearing any such calling. So, let us examine what may have brought Saint Francis to this new way of living.

As Saint Francis is an immensely popular figure in Catholicism, and was canonized two years after his death, there is much known about his life.

St. Clare,Virgin Saint Francis had lived a life of privilege and class, drinking and partying, but he was imprisoned for one year after being captured when fighting during a war. This “crisis” apparently had had a positive effect on his way of being (despite a poorer physical self), he had returned a changed man; a more compassionate man. Although before the war Saint Francis would have detested lepers; after the war, he had seen a leper and instead of turning away, he had turned back, embraced and kissed him and took him to where he needed to go. This act is what Jesus meant by “deny” yourself; our need to be clean, to not contract a disease, to be pure are all laid aside and denied. At this early stage of his spiritual life, Saint Francis would not have been aware that he was denying very profound needs that we all have and are enslaved to (what is also known as the needs of the ego).

Still, the changes were not immediate. He began to spend a lot of time on prayer and contemplation.

Therefore, Saint Frances would have continued to experience the denial of himself and carrying of the cross. It was this internal transformation and a personal relationship with God that had led to his outward lifestyle of extreme poverty, where he did not want anyone else to be poorer than himself!

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate example of denial and acceptance of the cross. There are numerous needs of my ego that I am unable to deny, and they come in various disguises and enslavements; give me the silence to see them as they are and the courage to die to myself.

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Saturday 12th August 2017 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious Deuteronomy:6/4-13 Psalm:18/1-3, 46, 50 Mathew: 17/14-20 Gospel Proclamation When they returned to the crowd, a man came to Jesus, knelt before him and said, Sir have mercy on my son.

He is an epileptic and has such terrible fits that he often falls in the fire or into water. I brought him to your disciples, buy they could not heal him.

Jesus answered, how unbelieving and wrong you people are! how long must I stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me. Jesus gave a command to the demon, and it went out of the boy, and at that very moment he was healed. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked him, why couldn’t we drive the demon out? It is because you haven’t enough faith, answered Jesus. I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, go from here to there and it will go. You could do anything.

Gaze at Jesus The Gospel passage, reminded me of lyrics from a popular hymn, “In the name of Jesus” and in one verse it says “who can tell what God can do, who can tell his love for you”. This is exactly what Jesus is asking the disciples today. If you put it in different words, Jesus is asking them “How can you not have enough faith in the Lord your God, who can do all things if you have enough faith”.

Our sonship The passage in Deuteronomy, the writer addresses Israel and say, “remember this, the Lord – and the Lord alone

– is our God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. Never forget these commands that I am giving today.

Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder ….”

The Book of Deuteronomy known as the “second law” includes sermons

by Moses to the people of Israel on the plains of Moab. In this journey the Israelites experienced the mighty works of God and of course His love for them. It was the same as with the epileptic boy in Jesus’ time. When we become aware, God’s love continues to be imparted in the present times among His faithful through his miracles, prophesies, words of knowledge and through many more signs.

Let us all close our eyes and ask for a miracle from God today. In my busy schedule I just did experienced some today. I made a trip to my home village to meet two officers. Early morning, during travel, I went to the ATM machine to realize that my debit card was missing.

I panicked, checked for SMS alerts for fraudulent usage. Grace of God, I had left it on the Bank Manager’s desk earlier in the week and it was kept safe.

Arriving in the village, I realized I had to visit two locations to meet two officers. Since I had the mobile number of one, I called him. He obliged to come to my location and agreed to get details from the other officer when I return next.

I was back in Colombo for lunch to share this testimony with you.

Prayer Starter (Ps 18:46) The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!

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19th Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday 13th August 2017

Ps Wk. III The Gospel Proclamation 1 Kings:19/9, 11-13 Psalm: 85/8-13 Romans: 9/1-5 Mathew: 14/22-33 The First Proclamation At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

The Second Proclamation "I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises, to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.

When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.

And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately, Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid."

Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God. Prayerful Awareness Immediately after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus and the disciples are separated. The disciples are alone in the boat. Jesus is not with them, having remained behind to send away the crowds (vs.22). Two things are going on simultaneously. As the disciples set off across the lake, Jesus goes up on the mountain to pray (vs.23). The Lectionary says that He went 'into the hills', but this misses the biblical idea

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of Jesus ascending the mountains, a traditional place for contact with God. In prayer, Jesus returns to the source of all that He is and does.

But while Jesus is in close contact with God the crossing of the lake becomes a conflict, a battle with a heavy sea. The contrast between the situation of Jesus and that of His followers is vividly reported. 'When evening came he was there alone, while the boat, now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea' (vs.24). Late in the night, Jesus comes to them out of the darkness, across the waters (vs. 25). He has left the union of prayer with God to join His struggling disciples. Yet, despite their need for Him, His presence strikes fear into their hearts as they cry out, "It is a ghost'. (vs.26).

Jesus reveals Himself to them in a formula which has a long history in the Bible: 'It is I' (vs.27). From Moses' encounter with the burning bush (see Exodus 3:14), down to the conflicts of the prophets with the false gods introduced into Israel (see especially Is.43:10; 45:18), this formula was used to speak of the presence of the true God to His people 'it is I'. Over against all other gods and all threats to His people, God is present to them. Equally important to moments when God or the Angel of God speaks to His people are the words of encouragement: 'Do not be afraid'.

Peter's response is typical. At first he is prepared to take a risk upon the word of Jesus. If it is Jesus, he will only have to call Him across the water, and He will come (vs. 28). At first he places his trust in the Lord, but then succumbs to the pressures of the storm around him. However, in this situation he calls on the help of the Lord, and Jesus holds him and keeps him safe (vs. 30-31). In Peter's situation of little faith and doubt, his Lord has stood by him. So it is with all the disciples in the boat. Jesus and Peter get into the boat, the wind drops and all confess: 'Truly, you are the Son

of God". (vs. 33) Gaze at Jesus In the experience of the disciples and Peter we find reflected the experience of every Christian. We often begin with the great courage which only faith can give us, but such courage of faith dwindles when wind and wave assail it. In this situation we remain ultimately dependent upon the gracious help of our Lord. Without Jesus we can make no headway. Jesus is the One who is close to God, who unfailingly looks to Him for guidance and strength, while we go on with the everyday things in our lives, never giving our God a thought. Yet, when difficulties come, God is there, coming out of the darkness into our lives. But even then our faith can falter.

He sometimes asks us to do strange things: to jump out of the boat into the stormy water. Encouragingly, Peter's story - and the story of the disciples who thought Jesus was only a ghost - tells us it is to those of little faith that Jesus still comes, holding us close and leading us into the safety and peace which only He can give.

Prayer Starter Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.

(Ps.85/8-13)

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Monday 14th August 2017

Maximilian Kolbe, Priest & Martyr

Deuteronomy:10/12-22 weh your God ask of you? Only this: Psalm:147/12-15, 19-20 to fear Yahweh your God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve Yahweh Mathew: 17/22-27

your God with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments Gospel Proclamation and laws of Yahweh, which I am ...... When they reached Caper- laying down for you today for your naum, the collectors of the half-shekel own good. 'Look, to Yahweh your came to Peter and said, 'Does your God belong heaven and the heaven master not pay the half-shekel?' of heavens, the earth and everything ''Yes,' he replied, and went into the on it; yet it was on your ancestors, for house. ... Jesus said, 'Simon, what is love of them, that Yahweh set his heart your opinion? From whom do earthly to love them, and he chose their dekings take toll or tribute? From their scendants after them, you yourselves, sons or from foreigners?' And when out of all nations, up to the present he replied, 'From foreigners,' Jesus day. Circumcise your heart then and said, 'Well then, the sons are exempt. be obstinate no longer; for Yahweh However, so that we shall not be the your God is God of gods and Lord of downfall of others, go to the lake and lords, the great God, triumphant and cast a hook; take the first fish that terrible, free of favouritism, never to rises, open its mouth and there you be bribed. He it is who sees justice will find a shekel; take it and give it to done for the orphan and the widow, them for me and for yourself.' who loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing. (Love the stranger Fix Your Gaze on Jesus then, for you were once strangers in Let us gaze at our Lord Jesus Christ Egypt). who willingly let go of heavenly glory Yahweh your God is the one whom to take human form in the nature of a servant (Philippians 2: 6-8), to offer his you must fear and serve; to him you body and blood in sacrifice to pay the must hold firm; in his name take your penalty for the collective sin of human- oaths. Him you must praise, he is ity, on account of the Love the Triune your God: for you he has done these great and astounding things which God has for mankind. you have seen for yourselves; and, In this backdrop, let us visualize although your ancestors numbered the thought processes that would have flicked through His mind when the only seventy persons when they went temple tax collectors had the audacity down to Egypt, Yahweh your God has to check whether the temple tax is paid now made you as many as the stars by the Master! However, awakening to of heaven.'

Song of Praise (Psalm 147:12-15, the Holy Spirit within, He instructs that 19-20) it be paid through miraculous means in order to avoid giving a wrong message Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem, Zion, to the bystanders, whilst using a worldly example to illustrate the absurdity of praise your God. For he gives strength to the bars of your gates, he blesses your the situation! children within you, he maintains the First Proclamation peace of your frontiers, gives you your 'And now, Israel, what does Yah- fill of finest wheat......

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Tuesday 15th August 2017 The Assumption of the Bl. Virgin Mary Revelation:11/19; 12/1-6, 10 Psalm:45/0-11,15 1 Corinthians:15/20-26 Luke: 1/39-56 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Today, the new, holy ark, who conceived the Creator of the world in her womb, comes to rest in the temple of God Himself. Today, the Church rejoices in the exaltation of the humble handmaid of the Lord. Indeed, God, the Almighty Who has done "great things" for Mary, as declared by her in the Magnificat, has now done the greatest of all great things for her! Truly, the Assumption had been well described as Our Lady's Easter, for, on this day, we celebrate not only her passing from this life but also her resurrection and ascension into heavenly glory, whereby she shares fully in the triumph of the Risen Lord! In the light of this perception, the Magnificat can be best understood as Mary's own Testament of Faith - a "Testament" that dares us manifest the depth of our own faith, a "faith" that challenges us to look inwards. As the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II says, "Each of us has to look at his and her own life with the eyes of Mary - what He did in her, He did for us, and therefore did it as in us." Rightly then, on this feast, the greatest of Mary's feasts, the Universal Church with one voice joins Mary in exulting: "Holy His Name!" (Saint Companions) The Gospel Proclamation Please read Luke 1/39-56 meditatively.

Prayerful Awareness "The Lord to be born of Mary is the only Person in the world Who ever had a pre-history; a pre-history to be studied in the primeval slime and jungles, but in the

bosom of the Eternal Father. Though He appeared as the Cave Man in Bethlehem, since He was born in a stable hewn out of rock, His beginning in time as Man was without beginning as God in the agelessness of eternity. Only progressively did He reveal His Divinity, and this was not because He grew in the consciousness of Divinity, it was due rather to His intent to be slow in revealing the purpose of His coming." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen). What a song, a lyrical one, we have here on the blessedness of Mary being the Mother of the Son of God. Then comes the 'but' that blessedness was tinged with a sword to pierce her heart - she would not only see her Son hanging on a cross but also have His lifeless body on her lap. "To be chosen by God so often means at one and the same time a crown of joy and cross of sorrow. The piercing truth is that God does not choose a person for ease and comfort and selfish joy but for a task that will take all that head and heart and hand can bring to it. God chooses us in order to use us." (William Barclay). "Holy Mary, Mother of God, with Elizabeth we marvel", "And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Because she gives us Jesus, her Son. Mary is Mother of God and our mother, we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her; she prays for us as she prayed for herself, "Let it be to me according to Your word." By entrusting ourselves to her prayer, we abandon ourselves to her prayer, we abandon ourselves to the Will of God together with her; "Thy Will be done." Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death; By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the "Mother of Mercy, "the All-Holy One". We give ourselves over to her now, in the today of our lives. (C.C.C. 2677) Prayer Starter Help me to make myself available to You, to be used by You alone at Your Will. Amen.

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Wednesday 16th August 2017

St. Stephen of Hungary

Deuteronomy: 34/1-12 the sub-conscious kicking in to action, Psalm:66/1-3,5,8,16-17 for the perceived rejection. After-all, we tell ourselves, we were so loving, Mathew: 18/15-20 so kind, and wanted that person to only listen to reason, to sound advise. We're confident that we're serving the will of the Righteous God, our Abba, in trying The Gospel Proclamation of God’s to make that person realise the worth of Love coming in, on to the Narrow Path.

'If your brother does something Look at the result; in serving God wrong, go and have it out with him with dedication and zeal, we get to a alone, between your two selves. If place where we begin to feel disaphe listens to you, you have won back pointment, may be even dismay, anger, your brother. If he does not listen, despair, and vindictiveness. Is this the take one or two others along with will of the True God? Have we lost sight you: whatever the misdemeanour, the of the God of Love we serve? The God evidence of two or three witnesses is who has gifted his apex creation with required to sustain the charge. But if 'Free Will'! The 'Good Father' who he refuses to listen to these, report it allows the misdirected son to leave the to the community; and if he refuses to 'Father's House' with his share of the listen to the community, treat him like inheritance, and go in search of 'Thrills a gentile or a tax collector. 'In truth I and Chills', knowing very well that the tell you, whatever you bind on earth son's pursuit of happiness 'Out There' will be bound in heaven; whatever will come to naught. After-all, the belief you loose on earth will be loosed in of happiness lying 'Out There' is a Lie, heaven. 'In truth I tell you once an Illusion. again, if two of you on earth agree to Getting back on track, we ask ourask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For selves, 'how did the son of Man conduct where two or three meet in my name, himself to win over the Tax Collector, the Samaritan woman'? Do we realise I am there among them.' the problem we have? Our natural Fix your gaze on Jesus responses are NOT in alignment with Lord Holy Spirit, open up our ears the mind-of-Christ. We are 'Fallen', and and minds, that we may listen to the have to turn anew to the God of Love.

We have to change our inner workings, Mind of the Christ...!

What do you feel when the words, “ these sub-conscious programs that if he refuses to listen to the community, mostly control us, to be aligned with treat him like a gentile or a tax collector” the Living Word. We need to get to that sounds out? Listen carefully now to that place where we begin to 'Experience the inner voice..., …, …, … In all honesty, Love of God Unconditionally, be filled the very first impression / feeling we up with Love, and be empowered to get, is that we're to treat the person who Love unconditionally'.

Prayer Starter refuses to listen to reason and our loving reproach, as a pariah; we're inclined, Thank You dear Lord Jesus for being even impelled to cast him out, to reject so clear in revealing the Father's Holy and punish. This is our normal program, Will. Do continue to teach us there-of...

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Thursday 17th August 2017 Joshua:3/7-11,13-17 Psalm:114/1-6 Mathew: 18/21-19/1

The Gospel Proclamation

Prayerful Awareness The gospel passage deals with love and forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean to forgive once or twice but according to Christ's answer to Peter, we cannot stop forgiving even after forgiving seventy times seven. Forgiving has no boundaries nr time limits. Every time a person does something wrong to us we have to keep on forgiving. We cannot keep even a bit of a grudge against anyone according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Prayer, the 'Our Father' is a good example of Jesus' attitude to forgiving. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." We ourselves are asking God the Father not to forgive our sins if we do not forgive the sins of others.

The second Commandment is like unto this , "love thy neighbour as thyself". "Father forgive for they know not what they do" - Jesus uttered these words when He was at the extreme end of His life on earth, being crucified to a cross after being scourged, whipped and crowned with a crown of thorns and the mental agony of being deserted by His disciples whom he had loved and lived with for three years. Jesus' first words on the cross were, "Father forgive for they know not what they do". He completely put aside the wrongs done to Him and His excruciating pain and the injustice done to Him and pleaded for His murderers and deserters, acting the part of an advocate, pleading for the innocent party in front of the Universal Divine Judge who was His own beloved Father.

Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?| Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy seven times.

For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, ....came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him ... he said, 'Pay what you owe'. Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him..... But he refused, then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt..... Then the lord summoned him and said to him, 'you wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy Prayer Starter on your fellow slave as I had mercy "Give me a heart sympathetic and on you?' and in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would tender, Jesus like Thine, Jesus like Thine. pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Touched by the needs that are surgFather will also do to every one of you, ing around me and filled with compasif you do not forgive your brother or sion Divine." sister from your heart."

Anon

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Friday 18th August 2017 Joshua:24/1-13 Psalm:136/1-3,16-18 21-22, 24 Mathew: 19/3-12

The Gospel Proclamation Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?"

He answered, "Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning made them male and female', and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate."

They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?" He said to them, "It was because you were so hard hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wife, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity and marries another commits adultery.

His disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." But he said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.

Prayerful Awareness John was put in prison and KILLED for his opinion on marriage and DIVORCE. So the Pharisees hoped to TRAP Jesus too. They were trying to TRICK

Jesus by having Him choose sides in a theological controversy. Jesus focused on MARRIAGE rather than DIVORCE. Jesus pointed out that God intended marriage to be PERMANENT and gave four reasons for the importance of marriage (Mathew:19/4-6).

This law is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 in Moses' day, as well as in Jesus' day, the practice of marriage fell FAR SHORT of God's intention. The same is TRUE TODAY. Moses instituted some laws to help its VICTIMS to protect WOMEN who, in that culture, were quite vulnerable when living alone. Because of Moses' law, a man could no longer just THROW his wife out - he had to write a formal letter of dismissal. This was a radical step towards civil rights, for it made men think twice about divorce. God designed marriage to be INDISSOLUBLE. Married couples should concentrate on how to STAY TOGETHER. Couples should DECIDE AGAINST divorce from the start and build their marriage on mutual commitment and prayerfully seek God's Will before plunging into the LIFE-LONG commitment of marriage.

Some have physical limitations that prevent marrying, others choose not to marry so they can serve God better as single people. Jesus was NOT teaching to AVOID marriage because it is a convenience or takes away our freedom. That would be SELFISHNESS. A good reason to remain single is to USE the TIME and FREEDOM to serve God. Paul elaborates on this in 1 Corinthians 7).

Prayer Starter Thank You Lord for instituting the holy sacrament of Matrimony. A bond so close as the union between Jesus and His Church. Help us Lord to be faithful to God and to be faithful to one another.

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Saturday 19th August 2017 Joshua:24/14-29 Psalm:16/1-2,5,7-8.11 Mathew:19/13-15 Gospel Proclamation Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Prayerful Awareness “Let the children come to me”.

If children are allowed to come to Jesus, He can share His Love with them, teach them the righteous words and put them on the righteous path and bless them. In any society, childhood is treated as the best time to teach and train good manners, good qualities, good ways etc. As everything has to be started from childhood, children will be the best asset of a country to invest on, to the betterment of the country, to the betterment of the society on the whole. Children will take the righteous ways and knowledge to the rest of the society and to the next generation. Jesus wants us to introduce our children to Him by teaching them about His life and His teachings written in the scriptures. If we introduce our children to Jesus by way of educating them about His life in the bible, if we bring our children to Holy Mass, then we can sit back and relax for we are already assured of a secure future for our children. It is said in Isaiah 54:13, All your sons shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of

St. John Eudes, Priest your children. But it is very sad to see that some parents do not teach them the Bible Word and Jesus’ Teachings to become Children of God, to do good, and in some cases children are being used by unscrupulous elements to spread bad things to the society, such as drug trafficking and also used as a tool to introduce them to use of drugs destroying the entire society. In some other cases they are put to work with adults where there is a threat of children being sexually molested creating an epidemic to the society. This is why Lord said it is better for people who drive children to sin, to be put to the depth of the ocean tied with grinding stones (St. Mathew 18: 6 ). In Proverbs 22 : 6 we are told to train a child in the way he should go, so that even when he is old he will not depart from it. With the acceptance of Jesus Christ into our lives as our Saviour and our Lord we are called to be followers of Christ and to be sons and daughters of our Lord God, our Father in heaven. As sons and daughters we are called to be like our Father God, loving, kind, caring, merciful, patient and holy and are called to do our duty to teach our children also to follow Lord Jesus’ Teachings.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, I accept You as my Saviour and my Lord to live my life according to Your Teachings. Help me to teach and train my children in the way they should go. Lord grant them a special anointing of the Holy Spirit to Control and Guide them to become Children of God as stated in Romans 8 : 14 , to be full of God’s Love , Mercy and Kindness. Protect them and guide them to avoid all sins and to live their lives Holy, Thank You Lord, Amen.

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Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Ps. Wk. IV Isaiah: 56/1, 6-7 and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath, and does Psalm: 67/1-2, 4, 7 Romans:11/13-15,29-32 not profane it, and holds fast my Mathew:15.21-28 covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer, their Introduction burnt offerings and their sacrifices The opening prayer of the univer- will be accepted on my altar, for sal church goes thus: Almighty God my house shall be called a house of ever-loving Father, your care extends prayer for all peoples. beyond the boundaries of race and Prayerful Awareness nation to the hearts of all who live.

The question to be answered is May the walls, which prejudice raises “Who is acceptable to Yahweh; whose between us crumble beneath the shadprayer will He hear?|” The answer that ow of Your outstretched arm. We ask is revealed to Isaiah is that it is not this through Christ Our Lord. Amen\ based on ethnicity or the land of origin The above is a good introduction and other such criteria, but on whether to, what the living Word of God is a person observes what is right, do going to focus our attention. Let us what is just, join themselves to the take a moment to become aware of Lord and minister to Him, loving the the multifarious ways in which we name of the Lord and becoming His say we are different form others. Our servants. nationality, our religion, the part of Lord as true Man You had to country we consider as our origin, our discover the secret of being and besocial status, our educational status, coming the Son of God moment by etc. Even within the above categories moment, day by day, by going before we have sub categories to consider the Father to experience an ever new others as ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ or ‘better’ way that He loved His people, His or ‘worse’ than us. Let us gaze at the children. As Son, You were chalSon of Man Jesus and see how He lenged moment by moment to be the deals with this problem as presented personification of Your Father’s love. to us today.

The Gospel: The first Proclamation: Mathew 15/21-28 Isaiah 56/1, 6-7 And Jesus went away from there Thus says the Lord: “Keep and withdrew to the district of Tyre justice and do righteousness, for and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite soon my salvation will come and my woman from that region came out deliverance be revealed. and cried, “Have mercy on me, O And the foreigners, who join Lord Son of David, my daughter themselves in the Lord to minster to is severely possessed by a demon.” him, to love the name of the Lord, But he did not answer her a word.

Sunday 20th August 2017

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And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Prayerful Awareness Let us gaze at Jesus steeped in Jewish tradition on the one hand and totally receptive to the Father’s all encompassing love on the others, facing a situation which brings these two into apparent conflict. Jesus seems to be listening to several ‘voices’. First the voice of a desperate mother with a daughter who was possessed. Jesus listens but does not respond. Then His disciples raise their voice with the typical attitude of Jews to Gentiles.

Jesus seemingly taking on that same attitude puts it into words, excluding the Gentiles from the limits of His mission. But Jesus is still listening.

Listening to the Abba. He waits for a word of revelation to tell Him how His Abba sees the whole situation.

And surely enough the Word comes through the Gentile woman herself.

The word that in the plan of God the whole of creation is entitled to experience the love of God. Some in ways that we may label as ‘lower’ or ‘inferior’ in comparison. But the one who received God’s love in whatever way is fulfilled. The scraps that fall

from the master’s table is a banquet for the little dogs. They even prefer it to a separately served meal.

Jesus the True Man, is taught by the Holy Spirit about the Mystery of God’s love. A little of it s well as a lot of it fulfills the one who receives.

The Second Proclamation Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead.

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.

Prayerful Awareness Paul who reveled in the experience of Christ, within him seems to have tuned-in to the desire of him to rouse the Jews in whatever way possible to the Good News. Paul too marvels at the way God uses the obstinacy of the Jews to enable the Good News to be preached to the Gentiles.

Prayer Starter May the nations be glad and exult because You rule the people in equity; the nations on earth You guide.

O God, let all the nations praise You…..

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Monday 21st August 2017 Judges:2/11-19 Psalm:106/34-37,39-40, 43-44 Mathew: 19/16-22 Gospel Proclamation Once a man came to Jesus, “Teacher, he asked, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life? Why do you ask me concerning what is good?

Answered Jesus. There is only one who is good. Keep the commandments if you want to enter life. What commandments? He asked. Jesus answered, do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not accuse anyone falsely; respect your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. I have obeyed all these commandments, the young man replied. What else do I need to do. Jesus said to him, if you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven then come and follow me. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he was very rich.

Gaze at Jesus Jesus continually alerted people for eternal life, which also meant a life in union with God and power. The young man who was already powerful with wealth wanted to amass more power, the kind of power that Jesus was imparting and giving people hope. Therefore, he asks Jesus what must I do to gain the kind of power Jesus was talking about.

Sensing what the young man was driving at, Jesus brings His conversation to a point where He tells the young man that he should be able to fully depend on God which means he must give up on his dependence on wealth as Jesus Himself did when He took the identity of a human being.

St. Piux X, Pope Our sonship This is a difficult call for all of us.

Fully rely on God as Jesus did, which drove Jesus to deliver many miracles such as multiplying bread to nourish the body and many other physical healings.

These are the prominent areas where people are trapped as they attribute their dependence on wealth to provide all these. The Holy Will of God is a life of complete dependence on God which makes us accept wealth and power differently. It is only a resource, but not a source where one derives power.

Hence, let us reflect on our daily activities. How we treat people and our wealth. What we do to secure power among our friends. It reflects our attitudes towards our daily dependence on God and our attitudes towards eternal life. It is worth taking a glimpse at the Saint of the day, St. Pius X. He was known as a compassionate Pope who had a strong sense of empathy for the poor. It is said that in the Messina earthquake that occurred in 1908 in Sicily, Pope Pius X had gathered all the refugees in the apostolic palace. In that action, it could be interpreted that he gave up his time, energy and comfort for the care of the affected.

In the first reading, people of Israel sinned against God and began to serve Baals and worship the gods of the people around them because it was an easy lifestyle without principles or values.

However, as Christians when Jesus calls us to follow Him as He is the Way, Truth and Life, then we cannot live by the standards that others do.

Prayer Starter (Psalm 34, 35, 40) They did not kill the heathen, as the Lord had commanded them, but they intermarried with them and adopted their pagan ways.

So, the Lord was angry with the people, he was disgusted with them.

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Tuesday 22nd August 2017

Queenship of the Bl. Virgin Mary

Isaiah: 9/2-7 Psalm: 113/1-8 Luke: 1/39-47 OR 1/26-38

The Gospel Proclamation In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most High will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

Prayerful Awareness

Holy Spirit, her prayer co-operates in a unique way with the Father's plan of loving kindness, at the Annunciation, for Christ's conception; at Pentecost, for the formation of the Church, His Body.

In the faith of His humble handmaid, the Gift of God found the acceptance He had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole being.

"Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord let it be done to me according to Your word." "Fiat"; this is Christian prayer; to be wholly God's, because he is wholly ours. (C.C.C. 2617) The title "Son of the Most High" was the very one that was given to the Redeemer by the evil spirit which possessed the youth in the land of the Gerasenes. The fallen angel thus confessed Him to be what unfallen angel said He was: "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Luke 5:7) The salvation that is promised by the name 'Jesus' is not a social salvation, but rather a spiritual one. The fact that he was prefigured by Josue indicates that He had the soldierly qualities necessary for the final victory over evil, which would come from the acceptance of suffering, a courage, resoluteness of will and unshakable devotion to the Father's mandate. At the very beginning of His life, the Divine soldier affirmed through an angel that He had come to conquer a greater enemy than Caesar. They must still render to Caesar the things that were Caesar's His mission was to deliver them from a greater bondage, namely that of sin.

The Name 'Jesus' or Saviour was not given to Him after He had wrought salvation, but at the very moment He was conceived in the womb of His mother.

The foundation of His salvation was from eternity and not from time. (Archbishop F.J.Sheen).

Prayer Starter "Mary's prayer is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time.

Hail holy Mother, guard us and guide Before the incarnation of the Son of us to your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

God, and before the outpouring of the Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 23rd August 2017 Judges: 9/6-15 Psalm: 21/1-6 Mathew: 20/1-16 The First Proclamation All the leading men of Shechem and all Beth-Millo then met and proclaimed Abimelech king at the oak of the cultic stone at Shechem.

News of this was brought to Jotham.

He went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted at the top of his voice: Hear me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may also hear you! One day the trees went out to anoint a king to rule them. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king!'

The olive tree replied, 'Must I forgo my oil which gives honour to gods and men, to stand and sway over the trees?' Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and be our king!'

The fig tree replied, 'Must I forgo my sweetness, forgo my excellent fruit, to go and sway over the trees?' Then the trees said to the vine, 'You come and be our king!' The vine replied, 'Must I forgo my wine which cheers gods and men, to go and sway over the trees?' Then the trees all said to the thorn bush, 'You come and be our king!' And the thorn bush replied to the trees, 'If you are anointing me in good faith to be your king, come and shelter in my shade. But, if not, fire will come out of the thorn bush and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'

Fix your gaze on Jesus O folly, folly! What is this ever present inclination to abdicate our responsibility? Dearest Lord, please bring us in to awareness of our ability/ capacity to respond!

There is no need for the trees to

St. Rose of Lima choose a king; they are all trees, are manifestations of the Lord and his love, diverse and contributing towards the Whole Chain of Being. He has brought forth and planted them. Nor was there any occasion for Israel to set a king over them, for the Lord was their King. Those who bear fruit for the public good, are justly respected and honoured by all that are wise, more than those who merely make a figure. All these fruit–trees gave much the same reason for their refusal to be promoted over the others. To rule, involves a man in a great deal of both toil, and care. Those who are preferred to public trust and power, must forego all private interests and advantages, for the good of others. And those so advanced to honour and dignity, are in great danger of losing their fruitfulness.

For which reason, they that desire to do good, are afraid of being too great.

Jotham compares Abimelech to the bramble or thistle, a worthless plant, whose end is to be burned. Such a one was Abimelech, in that he accepted kingship without protest. Whither you stand?

Prayer Starter Lord, why do we so underrate ourselves? We have Your Living Word to be King over us! Christ Jesus is our Lord, and No-One else! Or so we mouth, but in practice we always seek to appoint a mere mortal over ourselves! We project higher capacity, more importance to another! Is this the manifestation of the 'Inferiority' component we've accepted in/of our original sin, the fallen thinking? Awaken us to this conflict within, and guide us to get to know Your Son more and more! And in so getting to know your Son, to abide in your Love and Holy Will...

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Thursday 24th August 2017 Revelation:21/9-14 Psalm: 145/10-13,17-18 John: 1/45-51 Gospel Proclamation Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth. "But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him."

Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?

You will see greater things than this."

And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Prayerful Awareness Philip knew Jesus by association and the miracles Jesus would have performed, and wanted to share this great message with his friend Nathanael.

That is why Philip said to Nathanael, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth”. Do we share the experiences we enjoy by the association of Lord Jesus Christ , with others in our family, with our friends and relatives. If the answer is yes, we could call our selves true followers of Jesus Christ, as ones

St. Bartholomew, Apostle who are carrying out the instructions given to us. In St. Mathew 28 : 18 to 20, Jesus instruct us to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that He has commanded us and take them to baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In St. Mark 16 : 15, Jesus said , “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”. This may be why we see that, at times when the word preached was rejected by people both St. Francis and St. Anthony have preached the Word to the birds and other creatures. In Acts : 26 - 40, we see how the Holy Spirit sent Phillip to explain the Word to the Ethiopian eunuch who was trying to read the Word, and after accepting the Word about Jesus how he wanted to be baptized. In the Sacrament of Baptism we are connected into Christ's death and resurrection, to become a "a new creature” . And it is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit”. We receive the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Baptism and become part of Jesus Christ. In Acts 1 : 8 Jesus said “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, though out Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth ”. With this Grace we receive through Baptism we are called to spread the Word to others by word of mouth as well as our way of living, without which we will be useless in the presence of Lord, and our faith and intimacy in Jesus becomes more alive, meaningful and productive when we share.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, Intercede on my behalf in the presence of God our Father to Grant me a special blessing of the Holy Spirit to empower me to become a True witness for my Lord Jesus Christ to spread His Word. Thank You Lord Amen.

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Friday 25th August 2017 Ruth: 1/1,3-6,14-16,22 Psalm:146/5-10 Mathew: 22/34-40 Gospel Proclamation When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, ... asked him a question .... "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it; 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Gaze at Jesus It was a testing question. One being tested was Jesus and the tester was the Pharisee who represented the law of Moses. The result of any test regarding the kingdom of God eventually is an opportunity to reveal how strongly one would represent or present the “Holy Will” of God. Here Jesus reveal God’s mind about the law of Moses and uplifts it to another elevation making clearer the points in the law, which were “what so ever you do to the least of your brothers, it is as good as it being done to God”. Therefore, to do that one needs, divine strength and guidance where the action will at the end will represent God’s Holy Will.

Our sonship In the story of Naomi and Ruth, they were both tested against the odds when they lost their husbands and sons. Per the societal belief Naomi and Ruth were cursed to have lost their sons and husbands and could have cursed each other for bringing ill luck into their lives.

Then, in the solutions Naomi presented, Ruth who was from a different community had the opportunity to be free of an old ex-mother-in-law. However, she chose in the contrary and took care of

St. Joseph Calasanz, Priest

someone who was going to be helpless in the society. Eventually she was so blessed by God to became an ancestor to King David and is part of Jesus’ lineage.

The character attributes in these two great women of the Old Testament are a representation of people who have had complete faith in God even though chaos and uncertainty had prevailed in their life.

It is one’s knowledge of God that will help them to find solutions that are best for the other.

Tests that we go through to fulfill the second command of Jesus are numerous.

They will fall into a correct perspective if only we are driven by a deep respect to one another and if we are in a relationship with God. Prayerful Awareness Dear Lord, help us to break away from our inner desires to fulfill our emotions; the needs that crop from being hurt through different experiences that arise in our lives. Help us to break from those bondages that test our inner strength to be in God’s presence.

A prayerful praise (Psalm 146:5-10) Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is the Lord their God. He is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever.

He upholds cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord give sight to the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord reigns forever, your God, oh Zion, for all generations Praise the Lord!

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Saturday 26th August 2017

Ruth:2/1-3, 8-11 Psalm: 128/1-5 Mathew: 23/1-12 The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogue, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.

The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Gaze at Jesus We have seen many occasions in the Bible where Jesus was able to read the hearts of the people. In this scene, again Jesus feels compassion for the people burdened by the heavy loads laid upon them by the Pharisees. What a statement Jesus makes here against the Pharisees. No one in those days would have dared to say anything like this against these religious leaders for fear that God might immediately come down

and strike them dead! Jesus wanted to show us the unconditional love of the Father. But Jesus would have felt the difficulty in instilling the image of the unimaginable mercy of God when they believed that God was keeping a track of every law that they had broken so that He could punish them and send them to hell when they had died.

In verse 5 Jesus says, “everything they do is done for people to see”. Here again is the calling that Jesus makes for us to deny ourselves. Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus did not just merely talk, but showed us exactly how. If someone punched us on purpose what is our immediate reaction? It is to defend and try to hit back. This reaction comes without much thought, it is so immediate that after the hit, we do not sit back and think what to do, the reaction occurs from a part of the brain that responds to threat which has been developed through our evolution. But for Jesus, because He had surpassed His ego through death to oneself and suffering, there was no jerk of the arm to hit back. To spit back at the people that spat at Him. To even say something profane to the person that nailed His palms and feet. His ego did not need defending. He was so sure that no matter what people do to try to disgrace Him, He was already full of the love of God that no one can take away. His worth was not based on other peoples’ opinions of Him. Prayer Starter Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. (Ps: 128/1-4)

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Sunday 27th August 2017

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Ps. Wk. 1

salem and to the house of Judah.

And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut and none shall open. And I will fasten him like Introduction a peg in a sure place and he will We are living in a never chang- become a throne of honour to his ing world. It is said that the only father’s house. thing that does not change is the Prayerful Awareness fact that everything changes. But Jesus maintained that He came man is constantly in search of to fulfill the mission entrusted to something that is permanent, solid Him by His Father. He came under and lasting. The opening prayer of the authority of the Father. In the the Universal Church puts us in Garden of Gethsemane He totally harmony with this yearning of man. submitted to the authority of the “Father, help us seek the values Father over His life. In today’s first that will bring us lasting joy in this proclamation Isaiah highlights the changing world. Our desire for true tradition of the chosen people what You promise make us one in of Gold, first all authority comes mind and heart. Grant this through from God. Authority is a gift of God our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, to be exercised in a way that those who lives and reign with You and under authority will experience the the Holy Spirit, one God for ever fatherly and holy love of God. and ever. Amen.”

The gift of authority is backed The First Proclamation by the power of God. When the one Isaiah: 22/15, 19-23 Psalm:138/1-2, 3, 6-8 Romans: 11/33-36 Mathew: 16/13-20

Thus says the Lord god of in authority makes a decision it is hosts, “Come, go to this steward, affirmed by God. “I will place the to Shebna, who is over the house- key of the house of David on his hold, and say to him: I will thrust shoulder. When he opens, no one you from your office, and you will shall shut, when he shuts no one be cast down from your station. will open.

In that day I will call my servant The Gospel Proclamation Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Now when Jesus came into I will clothe him with your robe, the district of Caesarea Philippi, and will bind your girdle on him, he asked his disciples “Who do and will commit your authority men say that the son of Man is?’ to his hand; and he shall be a And they said, “Some say John father to the inhabitants of Jeru"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”. He said to them, ‘but who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus is looking for a person to carry on the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. The Father reveals the criterion on which to base His decision. It is the one who recognizes Jesus as the missionary Son of the Father. The Son who has received authority form the Father.

This is in order that the Father’s authority can be delegated to Him. Jesus says that Peter is the ‘Rock’ on which He will build His church. Jesus is telling us the importance of rock-like authority in building the church. Jesus at one point in time stated that those who listen to His words and act on them will be like a man who builds

his house on rock, rains coming down, floods rising, gates blowing and hurling themselves against this house will not be able to destroy it.

The Second Proclamation O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?’ “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever, Amen.

Prayerful Awareness Paul seems to put the experience of Jesus in a beautiful way. “Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Who has been His counselor? ….”

Wasn’t this the way Jesus saw the wisdom of His Abba when He said a painful yes in the garden of Gethsemane?

Prayer Starter Abba Father, we thank You for Jesus. He reveals Your loving heart.

But for Jesus and the Holy Spirit who reveals Jesus to us, we would never know that You are not what we wish our frail minds have imagined You to be. You are not what we think You are. Grant us the grace to come under Your loving authority through obedience to those whom You have placed in authority over us ……

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Monday 28th August 2017 1 Thessalonians:1/1-5, 8-10 Psalm: 149/1-5, 9 Mathew:23/13-22 The Gospel Proclamation Please read Mathew 23/13-22 prayerfully.

Gaze on Jesus

St. Augustine, Bishop & Doctor

Jesus called them hypocrites not only because they put on false appearances but also because they do not attach importance to things of God and cause loss of respect for them.

Prayerful Awareness The Pharisees are a set of people who give all their attention to their books and to their own ideas and are only concerned with the Law of God. They do not see what the preaching of Jesus has done to the people and how they have begun to live a better way of life. They do not see how God is saving the poor. When the Pharisees asked for a heavenly sign in Mark 8:11, Jesus tells them that no sign will be given to them. By this Jesus meant that He respects man's freedom and does not want to force it on him if he does not care to acknowledge the truth. Throughout the Gospel Jesus confronts the Pharisees. They were a respected and powerful association within Jewish society. Jesus does not want His disciples to trust the leaven of the Pharisees, meaning their teaching (Mathew 16:12). Jesus fears that His disciples who were very ordinary men will let themselves be impressed by the knowledge and fame of the Pharisees and He warns them that the Pharisees have built religion on a mistaken basis.

The Pharisees know everything about God except the true face of God and the happiness resulting from forgiveness.

Prayer Starter

Jesus had already asked His disciples and also the people not to imitate the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees because they do not practice what they preach to the people and they are only bent on projecting their image always and everywhere. Jesus would have noticed how they misinterpreted the Law to their advantage and how they treated the poor and the under-privileged and how they opposed Him at every turn because He posed a challenge to them in His endeavour to bring about the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. He would have felt that the time is opportune for Him to tell them in no uncertain terms what He considered them to be. He called them hypocrites and wished them woe for: i. closing the path to true knowledge of God the Father and barring the way to freedom and confidence which is proper for the children of God. ii. going to great lengths to win a pagan and once he is converted he is scan dalised and led astray by their pride Father we love Thee, we praise Thee, a n d t h e i r l o v e o f m o n e y. we adore Thee iii their false sense of values when it Glorify Thy Name in all the earth. comes to swearing. Some of them have found ways to get around cer Glorify Thy Name, glorify Thy tain oaths. Clever people could thus name swear falsely and deceive their Glorify Thy Name, in all the earth. opponents by swearing firmly without promising much.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Tuesday 29th August 2017

The Passion of St. John the Baptist

Jeremiah: 1/17-19 Psalm: 71/1-6, 15, 17 Mark: 6/17-29 The Gospel Proclamation .... For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, ... But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.

When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." ... She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." .... The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for hs oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Prayerful Awareness St. John the Baptist is the Lord's immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare His way. "Prophet of the Most High" John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last. He inaugurates the gospel, already from his mother's womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being "the friend of the bridegroom" whom he points out as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." Going before Jesus "in the spirit and power of Elijah" John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his baptism of conversion and through

his martyrdom. (C.C.C. 523) "Salome did not know what to ask, so she turned to her mother. Herod had already forgotten that unfortunate sermon of John the Baptist, but a woman does not forget so easily. Those ten months while John was in the prison below, he was also in the soul of Herodias, troubling it, disturbing her sleep, torturing her conscience and haunting her dreams. She now resolved to get rid of him, thinking that if she could just do away with this moral representative of God, she could sin with impunity for the rest of her life. With one word to Salome, she could silence her own conscience, and her husband's forever. She whispered her answer into her daughter's ear, Salome approached Herod. The shrill music stopped; silence fell over the assembly; the food became tasteless, and even their hearts were sickened as the young girl asked Herod, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist."

(Mark 6:25 Herod was thrown into confusion because of his oath. He thought of all his past respect for the prophet, but at the same time, he was afraid of the taunts and the whispered jests of the guests, if they should see him draw back from his promise. Unfaithful to God, to conscience, to himself, not ashamed of any crime but ashamed of public opinion he decided to be faithful to his drunken oath. Above all, he trembled at the wrath of his second wife." (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen). John the Baptist proclaimed the truth and lived courageously. At the base of his sermons there was heavenly peace.

He came to bear witness to the light. The greatest privilege he was granted was baptising Our Lord. Like the Saviour he too was given baptism in his own blood.

On our part let us ask the indwelling Holy Spirit to help and guide us to endure sufferings for the sake of Our Lord.

Prayer Starter Help us to remain courageous and not to waver in the face of difficulties.

Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Wednesday 30th August 2017 1 Thessalonians: 2/9-13 Psalm: 139/7-12, Mathew:23/27-32 The First Proclamation of God’s Love You remember, brothers, with what unsparing energy we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, that our treatment of you, since you believed, has been impeccably fair and upright. As you know, we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, urging you, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and his glory. Another reason why we continually thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the word that we brought you as God's message, you welcomed it for what it really is, not the word of any human being, but God's word, a power that is working among you believers.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Holy Lord, You speak to us through Your creation even though we presently are mostly deaf; and most specially through our brethren who stand before You and are in the process of been redeemed…. Give us ears to hear!

Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel.

This is the way to win people. Whilst we should be faithful to our overall calling as Christians, we are also presented with unique / particular callings

and relations within which we are to witness. Our great gospel privilege is that God has called us to his kingdom and glory, in the Here and Now. The great gospel duty is that we walk worthy of God in This Moment. We should live as becomes those called with such a high and holy calling Now-Here. Our great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek to be worthy of him.

We should receive the word of God with affections suitable to its holiness, wisdom, truth, and goodness. The words of men (we who are mostly deceived by the Liar), are frail and perishing, and sometimes false, foolish, and fickle; but God's Word- Jesus is holy, wise, just, and faithful. Let us receive and regard it accordingly. Let us nurture the word wrought in them even as our blessed mother did the infant Jesus, to make them examples to others in faith and good works, and in patience under sufferings, and in trials for the sake of the gospel. Murder and persecution are hateful to God, and no zeal for anything in religion can excuse nor justify it.

The pure gospel of Christ is abhorred by many, and the faithful preaching of it is hindered in many ways. But those who forbid the preaching it to sinners, to men dead in sin, do not please God. Those who deny the Word – the Bible, and prevent the salvation of His people, have (even if unintentionally) cruel hearts, and are enemies to the glory of God. Let us become aware.

Prayer Starter Let us stand before the Almighty Creator, who knows exactly what is the best….

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Thursday 31st August 2017 1 Thessalonians:3/7-13 Psalm: 90/3-4,12-14.17, Mathew:24/42-51 The Gospel Proclamation Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this, if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed, and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Prayerful Awareness What did Jesus mean when He said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” What is it that we must keep a watch on? The obvious response to this might be sin. Is God really keeping an eye on our sins, counting them, judging them, weighing them and waiting to

say “Ah ha! I got you! You can go to hell!” But this is not the image of God that Jesus wanted to instill in us. The forgiving father in the Prodigal Son, The Lost Coin, The Lost Sheep; all tell us of a loving, merciful Father that surpasses our understanding of love. In line with that idea, on one Sunday, the priest at our local church said that the end of the world will come when God is sure that everybody can be saved!

What great compassion!

So rather than God keeping a track of our wrongs (even though He can) Jesus wants us to keep a watch on ourselves. Now this is the hard part. Sin begets very subtly sometimes, other times disguised as good and then again with sudden and unexpected force. Unless we learn to keep a watch on ourselves through the Holy Spirit, in silence, in meditation and through contemplation, we will not recognise sin before it is too late. The needs of the ego are subtle; the need to be validated, thanked, thought well of, avoid shame etc. are very hard to recognise and harder to be emptied of. On the other hand, sin in disguise does not look like sin to the person on the outside, it is only our own self that could know this, that the motivation to do that good deed was only inspired by our sense of lack or shame etc. And the automatic knee jerk reactions that cause anger and violence, well how hard are they to control? But Jesus and Mother Mary, and other saints in their footsteps both showed us that it is possible to empty oneself.

Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, continue to give me the inspiration to look deep within myself and see myself as I truly am; not to judge myself and but to accept myself as I am. The rest is up to you.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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