Walk In the Spirit February 2018

WALK IN THE SPIRIT February 2018 Volume 02 Issue 16

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER February 2018

“Christ the Lord was tempted and suffered for us.”

He is a human being. He is a man. He is tempted in His mind, in His feelings and heart.

I can allow my mind to dwell on this particular experience of Jesus. Am I excited about it, i.e. my feelings respond to this happening. How about my heart? Am I moved to love Him, i.e. to be enamored of the deep meaning of the Incarnation. I’ve got to allow this experience of Jesus in all its colourings, in the different periods of His life, i.e. childhood, teenage, young man adult and ministry and passion to take over my spirit – my depths, that’s beyond the reach of my mind, feelings and heart.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Thursday 1st February 2018 1 Kings: 2/1-4,10-12 Psalm:1 Chronicles: 29/10-12 Mark:6/7-13 The First Proclamation As David's life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon, 'I am going the way of all the earth.

Be strong and show yourself a man.

Observe the injunctions of Yahweh your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his ordinances and his decrees, as stands written in the Law of Moses, so that you may be successful in everything you do and undertake, and that Yahweh may fulfil the promise which he made me, "If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you will never want for a man on the throne of Israel."... So David fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.

David was king of Israel for a period of forty years: he reigned at Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three. Solomon then sat on the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.

The Gospel Proclamation Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, 'Don't take a spare tunic.' And he said to them, 'If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you

walk away shake off the dust under your feet as evidence to them.' So they set off to proclaim repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord Holy Spirit, Most Loving Comforter, help us incarnate 'The Christ' within, bringing upon us the Kingdom of the Father...

David charges Solomon to keep the charge of the Lord. The authority of a dying father is much, but is a pale shadow beside that of the living God. God promised David that the Messiah should come from his descendants, and that promise was absolute; but the promise of occupying the throne of Israel was conditional on him and his descendants walking before God in sincerity, with zeal and resolution: in order thereto, he must take heed as to his ways…. similarly in the Gospel today, though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great weakness, and expected no material advantage, yet, in obedience to their Master, and in dependence upon his strength, they went out. They did not amuse people with curious matters, but told them they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. The servants of Christ may hope to turn many from darkness unto God, and to heal souls by the power of the Holy Ghost. We are the channels through which the Creator brings about his Kingdom on earth…! ….This is the challenge and the call before us!

Prayer Starter Lord, let me be a channel of your love and healing to a world constrained to receiving your beneficence by sin!

Cleanse me of these detritus and sludge blocking your flow....

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Friday 2nd February 2018 Malachi: 3/1-4 Psalm:23/7-10 (24/7-10) Hebrews:2/14-18 Luke: 2/22-40 The Gospel Proclamation When the time came for their purification .... they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ..... Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; .... Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." ..... Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is deemed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too." .....

Prayerful Awareness Jewish people went through several ceremonies soon after a baby's birth. 1) CIRCUMCISION - Every BOY was circumcised and NAMED on the eighth day after birth. Circumcision symbolised the Jews SEPARATION from the Gentiles, and their unique relationship with God. 2) REDEMPTION of the first-born. A first-born son was presented to God, one month after the birth. This ceremony

Presentation of the Lord included buying back - "redeeming" the child from God through an offering.

Thus the parents acknowledge that the child BELONGED to God, who alone has the power to GIVE LIFE. 3) PURIFICATION of the MOTHER for 40 days after the birth of a Son and 80 days after the birth of a daughter. The mother was ceremonially unclean and could not enter the Temple. At the end of her time of separation, the parents were to bring a lamb for a BURNT OFFERING and a dove or pigeon for a SIN OFFERING. The priest would sacrifice these animals and declare her to be clean. This is what Mary and Joseph did.

Jesus WAS GOD'S SON, but His family carried out these, according to God's Law. Jesus was not born above the Law, instead, He fulfilled it PERFECTLY. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be consecrated to God, they met an old man who told them WHAT their child would BECOME. Simeon's song is often called the NUNC DIMITTIS, because these are the first words of its Latin translation. Simeon could die in PEACE because he had SEEN the MESSIAH. The Jews were well acquainted with the OLD TESTAMENT prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's blessings to THEIR nation. They did not always give equal attention to the prophecies saying that He would bring salvation to the ENTIRE WORLD, NOT just the Jews. Luke made sure his Greek audience understood that Christ had come to SAVE ALL who believe. Gentiles as well as Jews.

Luke presents Jesus Christ as the PERFECT HUMAN and SAVIOUR. Prayer Starter Abba Father, You so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Saturday 3rd February 2018 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd and he had compassion The First Proclamation for them, because they were like sheep … At Gibeon the Lord appeared without a shepherd; and he began to to Solomon in a dream by night, and teach them many things.

Prayerful Awareness God said, “Ask what I should give you." And Solomon said, “You have The Second Proclamation tells us of shown great and steadfast love to your the importance of spending time with the servant my father David, because he Lord. The Christian life is a continuous walked before you in faithfulness, in going into the presence of God from the righteousness and in uprightness of presence of men and vice versa. No man heart toward you; and you have kept can live the Christian life unless he gives for him this great and steadfast love, himself time with God. The trouble in and have given him a son to sit on his our lives is that we give God no opporthrone today. …… Give your servant tunity to speak to us, because we do not therefore an understanding mind to know how to be still and listen; we give govern your people, able to discern God no time to recharge us with spiritual between good and evil; for who can energy and strength. How can we shoulgovern this your great people?" der life's burdens if we have no contact It pleased the Lord that Solomon with Him? How can we do God's work had asked this. God said to him, “Be- unless in God's strength? In the Gospel cause you have asked this, and have proclamation the rest Jesus so much not asked for yourself long life or rich- desired and which He had so well earned es, or for the life of your enemies, but was denied to Him. Any ordinary man have asked for yourself understand- would have been intensely annoyed. But ing to discern what is right, I now do Jesus was moved with pity at the pathos according to your word. Indeed I give of the crowd. They wanted so much what you a wise and discerning mind; no He alone could give them; to Him they one like you has been before you and were like sheep that had no shepherd. no one like you shall arise after you. I A sheep without a shepherd cannot find give you also what you have not asked, the way, cannot find its sustenance, and both riches and honor all your life; no has no defense. other king shall compare with you.

Prayer Starter

1 Kings: 3/4-13 Psalm:118/9-14 (119/9-14 ) Mark: 6/30-34

The Gospel Proclamation

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."

For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Dear Lord only in Your company can we walk in the world and keep our garments spotless. Without You we are defenseless; with You we are safe. Teach us to manage our time so that we could meet with You in the secret place and serve men in the market place. Amen!

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Sunday 4th February 2018 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Our Ps.Wk 1 Lady of Lanka to His chosen people (us) that He will Isaiah:43/1-5, 10-13 rescue and save us.

Psalm: 95/1-3, 7-10 Abba Father's saving grace is grantActs:1/12-13;2/1-2, ed to us through His Son, Our Lord 4-8, 11 Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us Matthew: 2/1-2, 7-12 to Jesus, using various and appropriate The First Proclamation But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine when.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God; the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Sheba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you. I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses, says the Lord. I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?

Prayerful Awareness In today's First Proclamation of God's Love we read of God's promises

means of communication, to guide those whom He has pre chosen to be His people. His chosen people are no longer the Jews only, but extends to all of mankind.

Even in the days of the Old Testament we see how God touched people of various nationalities.

The Gospel Proclamation In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of th Jews?

For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Prayerful Awareness In the Gospel proclamation of today we read of how the Wise Men from the

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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East were guided to Him through the sign of a star. We also see how He guides them to make appropriate gifts to the Holy Babe, of gold (symbol of royalty, of His eternal Kingship), frankincense (fragrance, symbol of His Divinity, of His Priesthood, God's grace to His people on earth), and myrrh (symbol of His Prophetic role, of the unpopularity of His message which leads to His being put to death, death which is precursor to new life, symbol of resurrection, through which all things will be made new.)

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Lanka, Patroness of Sri Lanka, because it is the Independence Day, the day Sri Lanka celebrates obtaining Independence from the British Empire.

However, we believe that we need help from the Holy Spirit for the true liberation of man. This is because, we are, by our very human nature, slaves to many forms of sin, especially the seven deadly sins of anger, jealousy, pride, greed, lust, avarice, and sloth. We are also slaves to many forms of cravings and addictions. Further, we are slaves of memories and inner hurts and wounds which we have accumulated over the years, especially at the time of our conception and the period we were in our mothers' womb and early childhood.

We are also driven by the strengths and weaknesses of our particular Personality Type.

In order to experience true liberation we need to rise above all these human frailities and subjugation to the powers of the Devil, the World and the Flesh.

To start on this journey towards true liberation we need the empowerment and guidance from the Holy Spirit without which we will not be able to overcome these obstacles. 'My Hour' prayer experience, and constant awakening to the Holy Spirit, coupled with the awareness that we are constantly in the presence of Abba Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ (in other words, all three persons of the Holy Trinity) are all means of fortifying

ourselves with the necessary armour to ward off the temptations around us.

The Second Proclamation Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying ......

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

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.....

Prayerful Awareness In the Second Proclamation of God's Love, we see the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles, whereby the disciples of Jesus who were all huddled up in a room afraid of what was to become of them after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ are emboldened to step out into the world loudly proclaiming the Good News to the people, and are ready to even be martyred than be silenced! Reading further on, we also see how their lives were transformed into one of closely knit communities bound in love for one another with the empowerment they received from above.

Prayer Starter O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!..... (Ps.95/1-3, 7....)

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Monday 5th February 2018 1 Kings:8/1-7,9-13 Psalm:131/6-10 (132/6-10) Mark: 6/53-56 The First Proclamation Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. All the people of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the festival in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark,.... There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses had placed there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord. so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord......

The Gospel Proclamation When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Prayerful Awareness Gennesaret was located on the West side of the sea of Galilee in a fertile, well watered area. Jesus' home Capernaum sat at the Northern edge of this plain.

The people recognized Jesus as a great HEALER, but how many understood who He truly was? They came to Jesus for PHYSICAL healing, but did they come for SPIRITUAL healing?

They came to prolong their lives on EARTH, but did they come to secure their ETERNAL LIVES? People may seek Jesus to learn valuable lessons from His life or in hopes of finding relief from PAIN. But we miss Jesus' whole message IF we seek HIM only to heal our BODIES but NOT our SOULS, if we look to Him for help only in THIS life, rather than for His eternal plan for us. Only when we understand the REAL Jesus Christ, can we appreciate how He can truly change our lives.

Jewish men wore tassels on the lower edges of their robes according to God's command. By Jesus' day, these tassels were seen as SIGNS of HOLINESS. It was natural that people seeking healing should reach out and touch these. But as one sick woman learned, healing came from FAITH and not from Jesus' cloak (Luke 8:4148). We don't have to worry about the CORRCT WAY to reach out to God. Rather, like the woman, we can simply reach out in FAITH. He WILL respond.

Let us BELIVE that Jesus is the answer to our every need. Do not let anything or anyone stop you from reaching Him. Prayer Starter Lord, we want to rely on You more fully. Thank You for helping us to look UP and trust You more each day.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Tuesday 6th February 2018 1 Kings:8/22-23,27-30 Psalm:83/3-5, 10-11 (84/2-4, 9-10) Mark:7/1-13 Introduction Let us meditatively dwell on today’s Proclamations which describe the blessings that accrue to us when we stay under the ‘wings’ of Almighty God, our Abba Father! And contrast this to those who honour Him only with lip-service while their hearts are far from God. Such people will fail to enjoy the blessings because they are more inclined to follow human traditions which they have maneuvered for their own benefit.

To correctly understand God’s commandments and apply it to our daily life we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit whereby we shall become children of God (Romans 8:14) and receive gifts (1 Cor. 12: 4-11) and develop fruits (Gal. 5:22-26) of the Spirit to be guided by principles of Love in all things!

First Proclamation Then, in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, Solomon stood facing the altar of Yahweh and, stretching out his hands towards heaven, said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, as loyal to the covenant and faithful in love to your servants as long as they walk wholeheartedly in your way.

Yet will God really live with human beings on earth? Why, the heavens, the highest of the heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple built by me! Even so, listen favourably to the prayer and entreaty of your servant, ....

Gospel Proclamation ……..So the Pharisees and scribes

asked him, 'Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?'

He answered, 'How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites in the passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me.

Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments.

You put aside the commandment of God to observe human traditions.'

And he said to them, 'How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Honour your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, "If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Korban (that is, dedicated to God)," then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother. In this way you make God's word ineffective for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.'

Prayer Starter Ps:83/3-5, 10,11 They are laying plans against your people, conspiring against those you cherish; They say, 'Come, let us annihilate them as a nation, the name of Israel shall be remembered no more!'

They conspire with a single mind, they conclude an alliance against you, wiped out at En-Dor, they served to manure the ground.

Treat their leaders like Oreb and Zeeb, all their commanders like Zebah and Zalmunna,

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Wednesday 7th February 2018 1 Kings:10/1-10 Psalm:36/5-6,30-31,3940 (37/5-6,30-31, 39-40) Mark:7/14-23 St. Juliana Falconieri Her father, a member of Florentina nobility (Italy), had erected the beautiful new church of the Annunciation and his brother. St. Alexis Falconieri, had been one of the seven founders of the Servite Order. After his father's death it was this uncle who took a special interest in Juliana's spiritual progress. At 1t she took the vow of virginity and was given the habit of a Servite Tertiary. She became the foundress of the Third Order of the Servites of Mary. She continued to live a life of strict mortification and severe penance at home setting an example to everyone by her works of charity and zeal for prayer. She preached without preaching. Among he many followers were women of the Florence nobility.

Upon their request she became and remained their superior until her death.

Canonized in 1737. e is called the Saint of the Holy Eucharist.

The Gospel Proclamation ... there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile." ... For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. His disciples asked him about the parable. ... And he said, "It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart that evil intentions come; ... All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Prayerful Awareness What a passage we have here - perhaps the most revolutionary one in the

St. Juliana Falconieri, Virgin New Testament. Here we have Jesus fulfilling the traditional law. "The law of the Gospel fulfills the commandments of the law. The Lord's Sermon on the Mount far from abolishing or devaluing the moral prescriptions of the Old Law, releases their hidden potential and has new demands arise from them; it reveals their entire divine and human truth. It does not add new external precepts, but proceeds to reform the heart, the root of human acts, where man chooses between the pure and the impure, where faith, hope and charity are formed, and with them the other virtues. The Gospel thus brings the Law to its fullness through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father, through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors, in emulation of the divine generosity." (C.C.C. 1968).

In 2 Maccabees 7 we have the story of a widow and her seven sons, all tortured to death for refusing to eat pork as it was unclean. But Jesus made His bold and revolutionary statement - "Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can really make him unclean." (Mark 7:18).

"Sins can also be distinguished according to their objects, as can every human act; or according to the virtues they oppose, by excess or defect; or according to the commandments they violate. They can also be classed according to whether they concern God, neighbour or oneself.

They can be divided into spiritual and carnal sins, or again as sins in thought, word, deed or omission. The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will, according to the teaching of the Lord; "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander, These are what defiles a man. But in the heart also resides charity, the source of the good and pure works, which sin wounds."

Prayer Starter Help us to examine our hearts honestly. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Thursday 8th February 2018

Jerome Emiliani/Josephine Bakhita

1 Kings:11/4-13 Psalm:105/3-4,35-37, 40 (106/3-4,35-37,40) Mark: 7/24-30 The First Proclamation When Solomon grew old his wives swayed his heart to other gods; and his heart was not wholly with Yahweh his God as his father David's had been. Solomon became a follower of Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians, and of Milcom, the Ammonite abomination. He did what was displeasing to Yahweh, and was not a wholehearted follower of Yahweh, as his father David had been. Then it was that Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, on the mountain to the east of Jerusalem, and to Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who offered incense and sacrifice to their gods.

Yahweh was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from Yahweh, God of Israel, who had twice appeared to him and had forbidden him to follow other gods; but he did not carry out Yahweh's order....

Fix your gaze on Jesus Dear Lord, you are the fountain of faithfulness, of steadfastness, of firmness of purpose and vision, of perseverance and diligence.....Maranatha, teach us to be likewise...!

This is one of the most melancholy and astonishing instance of human depravity recorded in the sacred Scriptures. Solomon became a public

worshipper of abominable idols! Probably, he gave way to pride and luxury by degrees; accommodating those who catered to his baser instincts and growing depravity, and went on the slippery slope! Thus did he loose his relish for true wisdom. Nothing forms in itself a security against the deceitfulness and depravity of the human heart. Nor will old age cure the heart of any evil propensity. If our sinful passions are not crucified and mortified by the grace of God, they never will die of themselves, but will last even when opportunities to gratify them are taken away. Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. We see how weak we are of ourselves, without the grace of God; let us therefore live in constant dependence on that grace. Let us watch our inner space and be sober; walk the narrow path; ours is a dangerous warfare, and in an enemy’s country, while our worst foes are the traitorous inclinations of / in our own hearts.

Look at Jesus the Christ in the Gospel today. He does not put anyone away from him that falls at his feet, whatever the social values and traditions may dictate; Mercy Incarnate may test our faith, check how strong and steadfast our faith is, whether we are founded on reliance upon the Living Lord, but will always come through for us, and be there for us…

Prayer Starter Dearest Lord, we need to follow you; we have to become aware of this ongoing-battle within, and practice the power of choice we’re been given, wisely. We're learning to test all things, and hold fast on to that which is good, that which brings us to a closer realisation of your steadfast Love ...

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Friday 9th February 2018 1 Kings:11/29-32; 12/19 Psalm:80/10-15 (81/9-14) Mark:7/31-37 The Gospel Proclamation Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to lay his hands on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Prayerful Awareness Jesus was well aware of His calling which was revealed to Him by His Father God. This assurance was made when Jesus went to the synagogue of His birth place Bethlehem. He opened the book of Isaiah and found the exact reading and began to proclaim "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce the Lord's year of mercy."

Jesus was passing through Sidon and skirting the Sea of Galilee and a deaf

man who also had difficulty in speaking was brought to Him. They asked Jesus to lay HIs hand upon Him. This was a way of invoking divine power, but Jesus did not have to ask. By HIs gesture He showed that He had within Himself all the health and welfare that we need and He communicated this to the sick one awakening faith in him.

This Gospel reading teaches us a good lesson. It says that the society in which we live has a great role in the formation of a person. We see the role of the society as an intercessor. The deaf man cannot take any initiative to go to Jesus or make a request to Him. But it is the people who became his intercessors.

They bring him to Jesus and beg Him to place His hands on him. Jesus responds positively. He placed His fingers in the man's ears and spat and touched his tongue, but His words had more power.

Jesus pronounced "Ephphatha, which means "be opened" and the dumb man was healed.

Where do I stand? What is my responsibility towards people who are desperate and who cannot take any initiative and need our help? The Lord treats each one of us with kindness and compassion and He calls us to open our ears to what happens around us and to treat one another with respect and also use our voice against injustice. This is how we become people who have eyes and see, ears and hear. Let me begin today and love others and treat them with compassion and respect as Jesus did.

We must do whatever we can and leave God to do the rest. When we allow our intercessions to be graced by God, the result is a miracle by God. This is what we are to do for others - this is wisdom.

Prayer Starter Give ear to the Lord in faith. Be on the alert. The Holy Spirit, God's greatest gift to us, leads and guides us and so let us be open to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Saturday 10th February 2018 1 Kings:12/26-32 13/33-34 Psalm:105/6-7,19-22 (106/6-7,19-22) Mark: 8/1-10 Gospel Proclamation Not long afterwards another large crowd came together. When the people had nothing left to eat, .... "I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. If I send them home without feeding them, they will faint as they go, because some of them have come a long way. His disciples asked him, “Where in this desert can anyone find enough food to feed all these people?” “How much bread have you got?” Jesus asked. “Seven loaves”, they answered. He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the crowd; and the disciples did so. They also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for these and told the disciples to distribute them too.

Everybody ate and had enough-there were about four thousand people. Then the disciples took the seven baskets full of pieces let over. Jesus sent the people away.

Gaze at Jesus Today’s gospel reveals the dominance of Christ the King. He is the bread of life, given to us by our heavenly Father.

During his time on earth, He preached the Good News to the hungry, the poor and the sick. Here the crowd of people who came to hear the message and got healed,followed him to the desert, and spent three days with him. When it was time to send them home, he wants to feed them to ensure they are fit.

Provision for our earthly needs is an aspect of God’s love Jesus is fulfilling here. He is also showing the people that He has dominion over all things that could

St. Scholastica, Virgin be worrying and that He could be in charge if they handover to Him. Gaze at our sonship Let us gaze at our sonship through todays scripture in 1 kings. Jehoboam, the king of Judah was losing control in Israel. He finds alternative ways to fortify his dominion in the remaining territory. He also rationalizes, if people are prevented from going to Jerusalem to worship God, he could still have control over what is remaining under his charge. Therefore, he builds two bull-calves of gold and appoints people outside of the Levites who are the tradition priests to take charge of worship.

Story of King Jehoboam reflects our own and of the society today. Therefore, let us reflect on a few things that make us who we are.

• We have not established a strong relationship with God, to the extent that we are not confident to face failure.

• We find ways to wrap control within our embrace which is only as much as our arms could stretch.

• Our pride that inhibit us from saying “sorry” or from accepting an apology from another.

• We do not consider the other persons plight in a situation, but only of our own.

• We think of other alternative ways to reconcile through than through true repentance.

Prayerful Awareness Let us be like those who followed Jesus to the desert. They experienced love from Jesus that enabled them to give up their homes, families and jobs to spend three days with Jesus.

Prayer Starter Holy God, we praise Thy name, Lord of all, we bow before Thee.

All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in heav’n above adore Thee.

Infinite, Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Sunday 11th February 2018 Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time Ps. Wk.II Leviticus:13/1-2,44-46 clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched Psalm:31/1-2,5-11 him, and said to him, "I do choose.

(32/1-2, 5-11) Be made clean." Immediately the 1 Corinthians: 10/31leprosy left him, and he was made 11/1 clean. After sternly warning him Mark:1/40-45 he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the The First Proclamation priest, and offer for your cleansing The Lord spoke to Moses and what Moses commanded, as a testiAaron, saying; When a person has mony to them." But he went out and on the skin of his body a swelling or began to proclaim it freely, and to an eruption or a spot, and it turns spread the word, so that Jesus could into a leprous disease on the skin no longer go into a town openly, but of his body, he shall be brought to stayed out in the country, and peoAaron the priest or to one of his sons ple came to him from every quarter. the priests.

Prayerful Awareness ... he is leprous, he is unclean.

In a final display of His invincible The priest shall pronounce him unclean; the disease is on his head. authority over and against evil, Jesus The person who has the leprous is approached by a leper (Mk 1:40). disease shall wear torn clothes and Thus far in the Gospel of Mark Jesus let the hair of his head be dishev- has overcome the powers of demon eled; and he shall cover his upper possession (1:20-28), sickness (vs.29lip and cry out, "Unclean, unclean." 31), taboo (vs.31) and the desire to He shall remain unclean as long as make of Himself an acclaimed wonder he has the disease; he is unclean. He worker (vs.38-39). Many of these shall live alone; his dwelling shall be themes return for the story of the leper, but this is not mere repetition. outside the camp.

Lepers were considered unclean, The Second Proclamation and thus outside the Chosen People.

So whether you eat or drink, or They lived in areas set apart from whatever you do, do everything for the rest of the people and had to cry the glory of God. Give no offense to out in warning if they were being Jews or to Greeks or to the church of approached or were approaching a God. Just as I try to please everyone healthy person. Not only was there in everything I do, not seeking my the fear of sickness. Once again there own advantage, but that of many, so was taboo; there was the fear that the that they may be saved. Be imitators healthy person may contract a form of me, as I am of Christ. of ritual uncleanliness. Against that background, the encounter between The Gospel Proclamation Jesus and the leper is startling .... and A leper came to him begging moving. him, and kneeling he said to him, The leper approaches Jesus and "If you choose, you can make me

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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pleads on his knees (vs.40). There must be something unique about Jesus which enables the leper to act in this unconventional way. He had no right to do this, but his words to Jesus tell the reader wherein lies Jesus' uniqueness. 'If you want to, you can cure me', says the leper (vs.40). The person of Jesus reflects the authority and the goodness that are inevitably part of God's reigning presence among us. Because this is the case, the leper cuts through taboo and fear of ritual impurities to approach Jesus.

Jesus' response is further proof that such is the case. The expected reaction to such a bold approach from a leper would be to send him away. This is the way one should act. Jesus behaves in exactly the opposite way. He is moved with pity rather than revulsion; He reaches out and touches the leper. This is an act of ritual impurity, as well as of human foolhardiness. When one adds Jesus' words to this remarkable action, there is a sense of a profoundly reassuring use of an authority to bring goodness, health and peace; 'Of course I want to!' (vs.41) Gaze at Jesus Jesus commands the leper not to chatter about his miracle. He still has no desire simply to be known as a miracle worker. Instead, He tells the leper to show himself to the priest and to make the offering prescribed by the Law. In this way the man will be able once again to become a member of the People of God. However, there is more to it. The priest should be able to recognise that the prophecy of Isaiah 35:6 is being fulfilled: 'The lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy'. The King Messiah is among us!

Followers of Jesus, people of the kingdom, we are called to act and

speak as Jesus. Faced with the consequences of evil; sickness, taboo, prejudice, hatred, segregation and misunderstanding, we are asked to be moved into action (see vs.41). Modern society has little time or space for any attempted solutions to its many problems which it cannot devise itself. Yet how fragile such human solutions are.

War, famine, segregation and intense human suffering proliferate. As Christians we have something to bring to this world. The King Messiah is here, Sometimes we use too many words to say that this is the case. His presence must be seen in the way we act.

Prayer Starter In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily.

Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.

I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities, and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy, you have set my feet in a broad place.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.

I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. (Ps.31/1-2, 5-11)

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Monday 12th February 2018 James:1/1-11 Psalm: 118/67,68,71,72 75,76 (119/67,68,71,72,75,76) Mark: 8/11-13

The Gospel Proclamation The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation." and he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.

Gaze at Jesus The people of Jesus' time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders. The Pharisees who were respected religions leaders tested Jesus to see if He had a genuine sign from heaven to back His messianic claims.

False messiahs in the past had made extraordinary claims to attract their followers, such as claiming that they could cleave the Jordan River in two or cause the walls of Jerusalem to fall.

It is recorded in today's proclamation that Jesus sighed from the depth of His Spirit and asked "Why does this generation seek a sign?" Jesus knew the hearts of those who came to test Him. He knew that those already held in respect and honour despise something emerging from beyond their initiative and control. Their minds and hearts are closed to the sovereign movement of God's Spirit. They would, so to speak, prefer God working through them rather than an upstart not of their ilk.

This is one of those times when Jesus decides not to oblige with what is asked of Him. There is no doubt that Jesus knew that arguing with the Pharisees was a futile exercise, since the argument would have focused not on discovering the truth, but on trying to prove that Jesus was not the Messiah.

Jesus with His deep sigh expressed His disappointment with the Pharisees. But He surely would not have condemned them, because He knew that with their educational and religious background it would be impossible to recognize the Messiah in a carpenter's son turned itinerant preacher. They had not received the special light, the gift of faith, to see the divine in the apparently ordinary and mundane.

Jesus on the other hand, while being fully, totally engrossed in His human experience, is fully alive to His divine Sonship and the Father's mission it entails. It is an experience beyond His physical, mental and emotional faculties. It is in the realm we call FAITH. It is the faculty which gives us THE REAL EYES TO REALISE WHERE THE REAL LIES. Gaze at my sonship Looking at ourselves we do not observe, nor feel anything other than being human. But the gift of FAITH we asked, or was asked for on our behalf by our parents and God-parents has bestowed on us the same REAL EYES. We too are called to follow Jesus by standing firm against the pharisaical critic within us who constantly challenges our divine origin and destiny by demanding signs to prove it.

Prayer Starter Strengthen our faith redeemer, guard us when danger is nigh!

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Tuesday 13th February 2018 James: 1/12-18 Psalm:93/12-15,18-19 (94/12-15,18-19) Mark: 8/14-21

Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.'

And they said to one another, 'It is because we have no bread.' And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, 'Why are you talking about having no bread?

Do you still not understand, still not realise? Are your minds closed? Have Introduction you eyes and do not see, ears and do not Let us meditatively dwell on to- hear? Or do you not remember? …….

Prayerful Awareness day’s Proclamations which is about the faithfulness of Almighty God, our Abba ‘Sin’ is a very vast and complex Father, despite our sinfulness, and our subject when one starts to analyse it, proclivity to fall into sin due to the tribut in a nutshell sin can be described as ple forces of: ‘the flesh, the world, and anything that hinders us from loving God the devil’, that constantly assail us with and neighbor in the manner God loves desires to fall into sin. The process of us. God’s Love can be summarised as temptation, and how we can invoke the universal, sacrificial, humble/serving, Lord’s help to overcome sin is described and constant/unconditional. Compared respectively in the First Proclamation to these characteristics of God’s perfect and Psalm below. outpouring Love, we all fall short terribly, First Proclamation and hence we are all utterly sinful and Blessed is anyone who perseveres selfish. In the Gospel Proclamation the when trials come. Such a person is of Lord Jesus Christ warns the disciples to proven worth and will win the prize be vigilant so as not to be led astray by of life, the crown that the Lord has the teachings and thinking (yeast) of the promised to those who love him. Never, world’s religious and political systems when you are being put to the test, say, (represented by the Pharisees and King 'God is tempting me'; God cannot be Herod) which are acting contrary to tempted by evil, and he does not put God’s ways and Will, and the disciples anybody to the test. Everyone is put to misunderstand this due to their guilt the test by being attracted and seduced complex, and thought Jesus was referring by that person's own wrong desire. to yeast because they had failed to bring Then the desire conceives and gives sufficient bread! They were stuck in birth to sin, and when sin reaches full mundane things despite all the miracles they had witnessed! Let us reflect how growth, it gives birth to death. we too are prone to misunderstand and Make no mistake about this, my misjudge people and situations forgetting dear brothers: all that is good, all that the love, blessings, and forgiveness God is perfect, is given us from above; it constantly bestows on us! comes down from the Father of all Song (Psalm:94/12-15,18-19) light; with him there is no such thing How blessed are those you instruct, as alteration, no shadow caused by Yahweh, whom you teach by means of change. ..... your law, to give them respite in evil Gospel Proclamation times, till a pit is dug for the wicked.

Yahweh will not abandon his people, The disciples had forgotten to take any bread and they had only one loaf he will not desert his heritage; for judgewith them in the boat. Then he gave ment will again become saving justice, them this warning, 'Keep your eyes and in its wake all upright hearts will open; look out for the yeast of the follow. .....

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Wednesday 14th February 2018 Joel: 2/12-18 Psalm:50/3-6,12-15,17 (51/1-4,10-13,15 2 Corinthians:5/20-6/2 Mathew:6/1-6, 16-18 Ash Wednesday This season is a preparation for the celebration of Easter. Ash Wednesday is a day of penance for the whole Church of Roman Rite, to be marked by fasting and abstinence from eating of meat.

This season has a double character, namely to prepared both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The faithful are to be encouraged to participate in an ever more intense and faithful way in the Lenten liturgy and in penitential celebrations.

They are to be clearly reminded that both according to the law and tradition they should approach the sacrament of penance during this season so that with purified heart they may, participate in the paschal mysteries.

The Gospel Proclamation

Ash Wednesday Ps. Wk. IV be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Prayerful Awareness Oh the blessed season of Lent is here once again. What time we have been given to break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday activities and take a close look at our interior especially the nooks and corners. Our Lord has presented the way to achieve that end. The order is vital - charity (almsgiving), prayer and fasting. Regarding giving, St. Theresa of Calcutta said, "Give until it hurts". Often we think the poor are a burden to all of us. If we change our attitudes we can see them not as liabilities but as assets.

Really they help us to be true, worthy sons and daughters of the Kingdom of God. They help us to rid ourselves of a sense of superiority and calculation not taking for ourselves the glory of giving, and to be seen and appreciated by others.

Primarily prayer is a conversation and a matter of relationship with God. In prayer we should seek God and not ourselves. For the prayer to be fruitful we should be free from everything and everyone. Our whole attention, love and respect should be placed in Him. In prayer we should never be discouraged.

Jesus explains this clearly in the parable of the Widow and the Judge. (Luke 18:18). We are never the same either before or after prayer, it transforms us to be God's friends. Fasting is depriving of oneself of some rest, pleasure, sleep, food etc.

Should fasting be restricted to the Season of Lent only? Not So. Connect prayer and fasting and see the results yourself.

Prayer Starter

"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret' and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"And whenever you pray, do not Holy Spirit! Help and guide us to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and give alms, pray and fast the way You at the street corners, so that they may want us to. Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Thursday 15th February 2018 Deuteronomy:30/15-20 Psalm:1/1-4, 6

(1/1-4,6) Luke:9/22-25

The First Proclamation 'Look, today I am offering you life and prosperity, death and disaster. If you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am laying down for you today, if you love Yahweh your God and follow his ways, if you keep his commandments, his laws and his customs, you will live and grow numerous, and Yahweh your God will bless you in the country which you are about to enter and make your own. But if your heart turns away, if you refuse to listen, if you let yourself be drawn into worshipping other gods and serving them, I tell you today, you will most certainly perish; you will not live for long in the country which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. Today, I call heaven and earth to witness against you: I am offering you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of Yahweh your God, obeying his voice, holding fast to him; for in this your life consists, and on this depends the length of time that you stay in the country which Yahweh swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that he would give them.'

Fix your gaze on Jesus

Jesus Lord, You kept Your gaze fixed on the Father at all times; You stayed in the experience of Love constantly; You choose to listen only to the ever-present ever-constant ever-enveloping Love.

Amidst the cacophony the world presents us with, the resultant chaotic data stream our senses assail us with, you were at rest;

in the turbulence of continuing change, you perceived the always present Love manifested in and through the Creation (of ABBA). You were the Best; the Perfect reflection of the Father. Please coach us to look to you more and more, and to learn from you â&#x20AC;Ś..

What could be said more moving, and more likely to make deep and lasting impressions? Every man wishes to obtain life and good, and to escape death and evil; he desires happiness, and dreads misery.

So great is the compassion of the Lord, that he has favoured men, by his word, with such a knowledge of good and evil as will make them for ever happy, if it be not their own faults (wrong choices).

The sum of the whole matter is that: If we and ours would love God, and serve him, we should live and be happy. If we or ours should turn from God, desert his service, and worship other gods, that would certainly be our ruin. There never was, since the fall of man, more than one way to heaven; which is marked out in both Testaments, though not with equal clearness. Take the biblical characters of Moses and Paul; Paul's words mean the same obedience, on which Moses more fully treated. In both Testaments the good and right way is brought near, and plainly revealed to us. The question then is, how should we understand / perceive / interpret these instructions?

Shall we test our pet (favourite) interpretations of the scriptures, even though it is ever so popular and we have become comfortable there-with? Search for the Truth? In other words, humbly let the Spirit of God (Love) guide us back to Jesus?

Prayer Starter

Life is a call to grow; to journey towards our true worth and potential; Lord, guide us on the journeyâ&#x20AC;Ś

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Friday 16th February 2018 Isaiah:58/1-9 Psalm:50/3-6,18-19 (51/1-4,16,17) Mathew:9/14-15

The Gospel Proclamation Then the disciples of John approached him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?"Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Prayerful Awareness

The First Reading of the Old Testament referred to true fasting. People were only following directions, and at the same time pursued their own interests and oppressed their workers. Their fast made them violent and ended in quarreling and fighting. Prophet Isaiah said the kind of fasting the Lord wants is to, remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share our bread with the hungry and open our homes to the homeless poor, Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear and do not refuse to help own relatives. Fasting was used by people to submit their petitions to God with honour and dedication with abstinence for proper focus on it, but later on it was used as a method to show repentance for past sins. This is why Jesus said in Mathew 6:16 - 18 “Whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting.

Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put on oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others

but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Real fasting, moulds people to be humble, help them to get rid of all types of greed, discipline them to have patience, self control and helps to get rid of every type of anger and strife.

Disciples of John the Baptist had to follow the Law and practice fasts as required by Pharisees who too had to fast (at least to show), as the ones who ensured that all Jewish people abide by the Jewish Mosaic laws. Although Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, before the commencement of His ministry, He did not enforce His disciples to fast, knowing that they have to do greater things after Jesus leaves them and goes to Father, when the resurrected Jesus will be with them always, (Mathew 28 : 20 ). Jesus will be with God the Father to help all who believes in Him (John 14 :12– 4). Today we are called to participate in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, Surrender our own lives to always do the Will of God in order to be able to possess eternal life with God, by carrying out acts of true fast. Love all others as Jesus Loves us (John 13:34) including our enemies (Mathew 5:44- 45) and also follow the guidelines given in the Beatitudes (Mathew 5).

Prayer Starter

Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord, please intercede for me and fill me with the Holy Spirit. With the Help of the Holy Spirit, help me to identify all my weaknesses and addictions that hurt others, and all such addictions that hurt me and destroy my soul and mind and body.

Holy Spirit, please help me to take all steps to get me out of all such addictions and get rid of all my weaknesses as a True Fast.

Thank You Jesus, Thank You Holy Spirit, Amen

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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Saturday 17th February 2018 Isaiah:58/9-14 Psalm:85/1-6, (86/1-6) Luke:5/27-32 The Gospel Proclamation After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him "Follow me." And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them.

The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Prayerful Awareness We have heard the saying that Jesus never appeared to be displeased with sinners and sin, as we see in today’s reading; but irritated with those who do not accept their sinfulness. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness (Mathew 23: 27 – 28).

For sinners such as Levi the tax collector, there is no possibility to hide their sins. They are known publicly as sinners and marginalised for this reason.

Jesus paid special attention to those

that live on the edge of the periphery of social acceptance and on the outside of this mentally constructed boundary.

Why is the grace of God so accessible to these types of people; the sick, poor, public sinners? When someone is a social outcast, there is not much room for superficiality. The mental construction of the ego is less strong because there is nowhere to hide. No fancy clothes, cars, university degrees, physical beauty and strength and extravagant lifestyles to display on social media such as Facebook. However, when you do have the above mentioned materialistic qualities, the ego has so much to feed on. So much so that our “true-self (sonship)” becomes inaccessible to us and our “false-self (ego)” becomes ever-present. Therefore, even when we pray with such an ego, it IS the ego that is praying. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ (Mathew 18: 9-13).

Prayer Starter Abba, my true self is ever evading and easily slips my grasp, while my ego tries to grab on to everything that it could. When I examine my thoughts closely, I see the constant repetition of egoist thought. Help me to be silent…… my thoughts to stop……..and just......

BE with God in empty space.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Sunday 18th February 2018 Genesis:9/8-15 Psalm:24/4-9 (25/4-9) 1 Peter:3/18-22 Mark:1/12-15 In the Catholic (Liturgical) Year, we have arrived at the period of Lent.

Jesus is at the very beginning of His ministry. He is baptized in the Spirit.

He is led into the wilderness where He is tempted by Satan and harassed by the evil spirits (wild beasts). He comes out victorious to reveal who Yahweh really is. In five Sundays in Lent the Church leads us into an understanding of the experience of the Lord in the wilderness prior to launching out into His active ministry. We are today on the 1st Sunday in Lent and we are called upon to believe the Good News that will deal a death blow to the evil forces at work against us.

In the Entrance antiphon of today we are told that when we call He will answer us. He will free us and give us long life. Having set the tone to the Word, the Church is about to give us this very first Sunday in Lent, we kneel down in prayer beseeching the Father’s help to spend the Lenten days fruitfully, “Father through our observance of Lent help us to understand the meaning of Your Son’s death and teach us to reflect it in our lives.”

The First Proclamation: Genesis:9/8-15 “God spoke to Noah and his sons, ‘See, I establish my Covenant with

First Sunday of Lent Ps. Wk. I you, and with your descendants after you, also with every living creature to be found with you ….

The Book of Genesis in ch. 6 tells us the story of a flood that destroyed everything except Noah and his family housed in an ark. He not only gave them protection but established a covenant with Noah and gave him the assurance that no such destruction would take place in the future. God further said “Here is the covenant I make between myself and you and every living creature with you for all generations. I set my bow in the clouds and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” And God proceeds to say that “the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all things of flesh.” Yes, God not only heard the cry for safety but gave them a promise and bound Himself under covenant by giving them a sign. The covenant with Noah begins the story of a new relationship with man that will lead Him to a final covenant in and through Jesus. The covenant with Noah must help us to understand the blessedness we are called to in having to live when the New Covenant is operative. On our part while the covenant with man is on God’s initiative, it is incumbent on us to respond to this loving gesture of Yahweh.

Let us in the words of the Psalmist ask the Lord to reveal to us what we need to know to live the life that befits those who have been “chosen, called and drawn near to Him.” (Romans 8/30).

Your ways, O Lord, make known

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to me, teach me your paths Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day Remember that your compassion, O Lord and your kindness are from of old The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; The Gospel: Mark 1/12-15

Blood of the New Covenant which shall be shed for you and for me for the salvation of the world.

The Second reading leads us to open our eyes and see what really the new covenant is.

“Christ himself, innocent though he was, died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. …..

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the Jesus had to die on the cross. He wilderness and he remained there for had to shed His blood and He had to forty days and was tempted by Satan. rise to a completely new life calling He was with the wild beats, and the us to follow suit. “Rise, Take up your angels looked after him. ….. cross and follow me.” The new covNo sooner than Jesus is Baptized enant is all about a cross and death to in the Spirit, that is to say, after His the old life and birth to a completely very special experience of divine new life in the Spirit. The Baptism Sonship, “You are my beloved Son, I that we receive is our appropriation am pleased with you” He is led by the of the new life that is ours through Spirit to the desert reminiscent of the the death and resurrection of Jesus.

40 years spent by the chosen people The death and resurrection of Jesus in the desert while on their journey becomes ours in and through our Bapfrom Egyptian slavery to freedom in tism. Baptism is lived out in our daily a new land. lives as we go through a multitude of Jesus appears on the scene. He deaths and resurrections. has something very important to Let us thank the Father who in the declare. “The time has come.” The mystery of His love, saves His creation era of a New Covenant has come. not only from impending dangers or Jesus begins His ministry with the form flood-like destroying experiencastounding words “Turn around from es, but raised us to a new way of living where you are. Go take up an alto- as God’s beloved sons and daughters gether new position.” Jesus Himself in and through the life lived by those becomes the Good News of a new who are chosen, called and drawn to relationship between God and man. Him in love.

The new covenant to be established Let us pray: between God and man through Jesus Thank You Eternal Father for Jeis going to be soul shattering. It’s a covenant to be signed in the Blood of sus. We thank You for the Good News Jesus. We bring to mind the words of He proclaimed. Help us to understand Jesus repeated day in day out at our that every word that proceeds from Eucharistic Celebration. “This is the His mouth is Your word that gives life.

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

Monday 19th February 2018 Leviticus:19/1-2,11-18 Psalm:18/8-10,15 (19/7-9,14) Mathew:25/31-46 The First Proclamation The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. you shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God; I am the Lord.

You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or deer to the great; with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor. I am the Lord Prayerful Awareness

In today's Gospel Proclamation, Jesus simplifies the whole basis of judgement. You and I will be categorized as a sheep or a goat. Both the sheep and the goats are surprised!

Today man has worked out a lot of ethics and moral codes of conduct.

While they are good in themselves and may be tools, none of them are based on the fact that "God is Holy.

Therefore man who is made in His image should be holy."

We thank God that Christian Theology still talks and children are catechized on the Ten Commandments.

Pauline theology states that even the Ten Commandments were impressed on man to prove that he cannot save himself. Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two.

1) Love God with all your heart, soul and mind 2) Love your neighbour as yourself Our response to these two Commandments will eventually decide whether we will be categorized as a sheep or goat.

Gaze at my sonship

Is my life based on the fact that God is Holy and therefore I should be holy? When I am tempted, do I moralize or do I simply appropriate the words of Jesus "Deny yourself, carry After laying down the basis of your cross and follow me." why Israel should be holy, the Book Prayer Starter of Leviticus gives various rules and Lord Jesus, I thirst to live for the regulations of how to go about life. praise of God's Glory. But the flesh, Jesus extracted verse 18, when He the world and the devil prevent me. said that the second most important commandment was to "Love your Lord have mercy and may Your Holy Spirit animate me. neighbour as yourself."

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Tuesday 20th February 2018 Isaiah:55/10-11 Psalm:33/4-7,16-19 (34/3-6, 15-18) Mathew:6/7-15 The Gospel Proclamation "When you are praying, do not heap empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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

Give us this day our daily bread.

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

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

Prayerful Awareness Let us examine the prayer taught

by Jesus.

Where is heaven? We do tend to instinctively look up when we think of heaven. But is this universe really divided into sections such as heaven and hell? When Jesus was asked about the location of heaven, He said, “the kingdom of God is in your midst."

(Luke 17:21).

God is holly and different. We live in a world where we are identified by form or material things. Yet, it has been found that 96% of this universe is empty space and 99% of the human body

is empty space. Yet, this empty space is so difficult to grasp because we can not even see it. We see humans and other things as individual entities rather than empty space. God is also without form and He is emptiness. Is that why we can not fully grasp God as well?

We read earlier that the kingdom is among us, so it has already come and is coming. However, if the kingdom or heaven is among us, how can we say “on earth as it is in heaven”, because isn’t the kingdom already on earth? In this context, Fr Richard Rohr suggests that “earth” is our unaware self and “heaven” is our aware self. Therefore, we can pray, Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done within and without this awareness.

“Give us this day our daily bread” is of course the prayer to live in the moment, without worries about the future and baggage from the past.

Forgiveness, is also ever so important if we are to live fully. Not being able to forgive oneself and others keep us in the past, unhealed. We are unable to live joyfully because our wounds are constantly being aroused.

Finally, we need to pray to keep us from temptations, those that come from our ego. Just like heaven is among us, so is hell; which is the constant temptations and the identification with our ego instead of our true self, our sonship.

Prayer Starter Our Father among us, may You be formless and empty. Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done within and without my awareness. Give us the gift of living in the present moment and be able to accept our forgiveness and forgive others.

Lead us not into temptation of our ego and deliver us from the bondage to the ego. Amen.

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

Wednesday 21st February 2018 Jonah:3/1-10 Psalm: 50/3-4,12- 13,18-19 (51/1-2,10-11,16-17) Luke:11/29-32 The Gospel Proclamation When the crowds were increasing, he began t say, "This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

Prayerful Awareness "Faith in God must never contradict reason. The unreasonable venture never has the assurance of the Divine protection. Satan wanted to make God the Father do something for Our Lord that Our Lord refused to do for Himself; namely, to make Him an object of special care, exempt from obedience to natural laws which were already the laws of God. But Our Blessed Lord, who came to show us the Father, knew that the Father was not just a mechanical, impersonal Providence which would protect anyone, even someone who surrendered a divinely ordained mission for the sake of winning a mob." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen). What kind of a sign did the Jews want to see?

At the base of their demand there was their desire to God in the abnormal. How

does He reveal Himself to us? What they forgot was that He continually reveals or shows Himself to us in ordinary things and events of everyday life. One who is alert to this aspect can see Him. If we take examples from Jesus' life - His birth - a normal one from a human mother; His death on the cross - a normal one meant for a criminal. The Jews could not see that Jesus was the greatest sign God had given them. Jesus did not want to be a magician to cater to their needs. "Only the divine identity of Jesus' person can justify as absolute a claim as "He who is not with me is against me" and His saying that there was in Him "something greater than Jonah, .... greater than Solomon", "something greater than the Temple" His reminder that David had called the Messiah His Lord, and His affirmation, "Before Abraham was, I AM"; and even "I and the Father are one." (C.C.C. 590) How do we respond to Him when our prayers are not answered in the manner and the time we want Him to? How many of us can look at all the problems we face with a positive outlook and count the blessings He has showered on us? When our prayers are not answered, according to the conditions we lay on Him we get discouraged and fail to see the results that follow. i.e. often He provides us with better solutions we even cannot think of.

"The one real question in life is: 'What is our reaction when we are confronted with God in Jesus Christ?' Is that reaction bleak hostility, as it was in the case of the scribes and Pharisees? Or is it humble acceptance of God's warning and God's truth as it was in the case of the people of Nineveh, and of the of the Queen of Sheba? The all-important question is: 'What do you think of Christ'? (William Barclay) Prayer Starter You are the one and only Lord in our lives. "You are the Messiah, the Son of God." (Mat.16:16) Amen.

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Thursday 22nd February 2018 1 Peter:5/1-4 Psalm: 22/1-6 (23/1-6) Mathew:16/13-19 The First Proclamation I urge the elders among you, as a fellow-elder myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to have a share in the glory that is to be revealed: give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.

Do not lord it over the group which is in your charge, but be an example for the flock. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory.

Fix your gaze on Jesus In the Gospel today, the Lord Jesus, the apex of the response to Abba Father- the Creator God, tests his chosen disciples as to what their perceptions of Jesus' identity is. Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit proclaims Jesus to be 'The Christ', indicating to Jesus that he has the potential to yield to the Spirit of God in the way that he could accommodate higher responsibilities towards bringing about the Father's Kingdom. Thus does Peter get anointed and appointed for the Leadership role, receiving the powers and the grace there-for. Peter continues his modelling of Jesus' heart and mind, following Jesus as faithfully as he could, despite the previous faulty programming (mind-set) inherent in all humanity. The situation however changes drastically after the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the 'Believers', empowering them and dispelling the

Chair of St. Peter 'Spirit of Fear' normally pervading the human condition. Now, Peter comes in to his power more-fully, with the astounding results we see recorded in the 'Acts of the Apostles'.

Listening to the epistle, we see the 'Mind-Of-The-Christ' reflected in the exhortations contained therein. In the guidance revealed therein, we see the components of Faith, Hope and Charity transformed in to living instructions.

We follow Jesus, the Living Word, who was fully attuned to the desire of the ABBA. And our calling is to adorn ourselves with the same mind-set, which today's epistle guides us towards.

Remember...Jesus was so attuned; and now we too shall be! What is your response now? Wouldn't it be great to open up totally, and get to know the Creator intimately? And be One with Him? Shed all the lies, the obfuscations and the deceit of the Liar? Be free of the illusions and shed the shackles of slavery? Be blessed even as Jesus was! Believe in our true worthiness, and become messengers of Peace and Harmony; be fortresses for Justice, Righteousness and Freedom!

Remember, just remember that this is a unilateral covenant entered in to by our beloved Creator; extended to us freely! All we have to do is receive these... remembering that Jesus is 'The Christ-the Anointed!'

Prayer Starter Thank You Lord; You are indeed gracious; let us now just remember that and remind ourselves of that consistently, be grateful, and give thanks constantly and joyfully....and respond to our calling to be the stewards, the shepherds, the role-models, the examples the Good Lord wants us to be, enjoying His constant Love, Care and Companionship of the Holy Spirit....

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

Friday 23rd February 2018 Ezekiel:18/21-28 Psalm:129/1-8 (130/1-8) Mathew:5/20-26 The First Proclamation Please read Ezekiel 18/21-28 meditatively.

The Gospel Proclamation For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said in those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult a brother or sister, you shall be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Gaze on Jesus Jesus has begun His mission on earth with the Sermon on the Mount in which He has presented the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. Among His listeners there would have been many who would have received their

religious teachings from the scribes and Pharisees. He warned them that if their righteousness does not exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees they will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. For it was seen that these religious leaders would without any hesitation break the commandments of God in order to maintain their traditions, (vs. 15/2). They also shut the Kingdom of Heaven against men for they neither enter themselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. (vs. 23/13-14). In regard to the old commandment, 'Thou shall not kill' (Exodus 20/13) here Jesus tells them that it is not only the act of killing that is sinful but also even the revengeful thought that led to the act. These people who are quite used to offering gifts to God are told that they should first go and be reconciled with the person who has done them some wrong and after that only they could come and offer their gifts.

Prayerful Awareness In regard to the Law and the Prophets, Jesus has said in verse 17 that He has not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. His message is new and it does not destroy what was there already, but it fulfills. The values of the kingdom which Jesus set out in His Sermon on the Mount present the unconditional, forgiving and gratuitous love of the Father in heaven.

"Love your enemies and pray for those who hate you." (vs 44) This calls for the total transformation of all that is considered just and fair in the world.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, in the prayer You taught Your disciples You have made it very clear that I can ask the Father to forgive my sins only after I have forgiven those who have sinned against me. This would be that I have to let go of my self respect which I value very much .May You empower me to surrender this self respect for the sake of the Kingdom.

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Saturday 24th February 2018 Deuteronomy:26/16-19 Psalm:118/1-2,4-5,7-8 (119/1-2,4-5,7-8) Mathew:5/43-48 Gospel Proclamation Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that?

Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Prayerful Awareness God created man (male and female) to His own image (Image of Love, Mercy, kindness etc.), but man was so rude and spiritually immature (when compared with now) that even Moses had to introduce laws to give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe (punishment to fit the crime) Exodus 21 : 23-25. Jesus came into this world due to God’s Great Love for man, so that everyone who believes in Jesus might not perish, but might have eternal life (John 3:16 ). Jesus came into this world to complete the

existing (impure) laws, adding Love to all such laws. Similarly to teach man of God’s Love, so that man can love each other, as Jesus said “A new commandment I give you: Love one another, as I have loved you, so you also should love one another”( John 13:34). Jesus calls us to love everyone, even our enemies, for us to be called children of God our Father, full of God’s qualities, to love everyone without any condition, as God loves everyone even our enemies, as God makes the sun shine for everyone and rain falls for everyone.

First reading refers to the Covenant God made with man. God commands man to observe statues and decrees, and to carefully observe them with all his heart and with all his soul. God wants His people to walk in His ways and observe His statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to His voice. And they are to be a people peculiarly His own. As God promised, provided they keep all His commandments, He will then raise them high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations He has made, and they will be a people sacred to the Lord, their God, as He promised.

(Deuteronomy 26:16-19).

Prayer Starter God our loving Father, Abba, I thank You and praise You for bringing me into this world as an image of You and Your love and mercy. Help me to be full of Your love and mercy to love every one as You love me and to forgive every one as You forgive me as a true son and daughter of You, Father. I ask all this in the name of my Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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

Sunday 25th February 2018 Genesis:22/1-2,9-13, 15-18 Psalm:116/10, 15-19 (115/10, 15-19) Romans:8/31-34 Mark:9/2-10

Second Sunday of Lent Ps. Wk.II

The First Proclamation: Genesis: 22/1-2,9-13,15-18

We are called upon to look at a Son to be offered in sacrifice by a Father. We recall the mind, the soul, the spirit disturbing words that Abraham heard: “Take your son, your only son whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain I will point out to you.”

The sacrificial spirit of Abraham and his readiness to do God’s bidding we are told drew a shower of blessings.

The angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven., “I will swear by my own self – it is the Lord who speaks – because you have not refused me your son, your only son, I will shower blessings on you. I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the sea shore. Your descendants shall gain possession of the gates of their enemies . All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants as reward for your obedience” Let us pray with the Psalmist (116) “I trusted even when I said ‘I am solely afflicted. Your servant Lord, Your servant am I, You loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make. I call on Your Name O Lord.

The Third Proclamation: Mark: 9/2-10

Last Sunday, the First Sunday in Lent, it was about God’s promise that He would pay heed to our cry, “When he calls me, I will answer. I will rescue him and give him honour. long life and contentment will be his.” More, He makes a covenant with man, through Noah. There would no longer be a destruction of a magnitude of a devastating flood.

“I establish my covenant with you: Nothing of the flesh shall be swept again by the waters of the flood.”

Noah and his family and we too are assured of a new life.

This Sunday, the second in Lent, it is about a wholly unimaginable assurance of God’s Son Himself being sent as a covenant gift to man.

Then, a rainbow was the sign of the covenant, today it is the Son, Jesus Himself.

The Author of the Hebrews in ch. 12, vs. 1 would tell us, “Fix your gaze on Jesus.” Jesus, the gift of the Son is God’s answer to our plea: “Remember Your mercies Lord, Your tenderness from ages past. Do not let our enemies triumph over Jesus took with him Peter and us; O God, deliver Israel from all James and John and led them up a her distress.” high mountain apart, by themselves.

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And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzlingly white such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is wonderful for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He did not know what to say; for they were so terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ”This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

Jesus the Beloved Son of God, God’s Son His only Son, in the manner of Isaac is readied for sacrifice with the difference however that Jesus is really and truly sacrificed while Isaac is not. We cry to God for mercy and deliverance. God answers us with the gift of His Son, offered in sacrifice for our sake. His only Son offered for us in sacrifice on the cross. In Abraham’s story, it is Abraham who really makes the sacrifice while Isaac was innocent of what was happening, In the story of God the Father, the Son too is in-

volved. Isaac was an ignorant participant while Jesus Himself would say knowingly and deliberately, “Your will be done" and this confession is soulfully and wholeheartedly done.

The Second Proclamation Romans: 8/31-34 With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.

God would not spare His Son, His only Son as if to say, “I am love. I cannot spare myself. When I sacrifice my Son, I sacrifice myself.

When He dies on the cross, I die on the cross. When He rises from the dead, I rise along with Him.” Jesus said “Take up your cross and follow me.” We are called to take up our cross and we know that in the cross is life. Death and life walk hand in hand. We are called upon to say ‘Yes’ to the mystery that is God’s love.

Prayer Starter God our Father, help us to hear Your Son, Enlighten us with Your Word that we may find a way to Your Glory. Amen.

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Monday 26th February 2018 Daniel:9/4-10 Psalm:78/8,9,11,13 (79/8-9,11,13) Luke: 6/36-38 The First Proclamation “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.

We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; The Gospel Proclamation No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.“Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you.

Prayerful Awareness

and debate as the commandment to love our enemies. It means that no matter what that person does to us we will never allow ourselves to desire anything but his highest good; and we will deliberately and of set purpose go out of our way to be good and kind to him. We cannot love our enemies as we love our nearest and dearest. To do so would be unnatural, impossible and even wrong. But we can see to it that, no matter what a man does to us, even if he insults, ill-treats and injures us, we will seek nothing but his highest good. The very essence of Christian conduct is that it consists, not in refraining from bad things, but in actively doing good things. The Christian ethic is based on the extra thing. Jesus described the common ways of sensible conduct and then dismissed them with the question, "What special grace is in that?" So often people claim to be just as good as their neighbours. Very likely they are. But the question of Jesus is, "How much better are you than the ordinary person?" It is not our neighbour with whom we must compare ourselves; we may well stand that comparison very adequately; it is God with whom we must compare ourselves; and in that comparison we are all in default. The reason is that it makes us like God, for that is the way He acts. God sends His rain on the just and the unjust. He is kind to the man who brings Him joy and equally kind to the man who grieves His heart. God's love embraces saint and sinner alike. It is that love we must copy; if we, too, seek even our enemy's highest good we will in truth be the children of God. Prayer Starter

Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of There is no commandment of Jesus your name's sake. deliver us, and forgive which has caused so much discussion our sins, for your name's sake.

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Tuesday 27th February 2018 Isaiah:1/10,16-20 Psalm: 50/8-9,16,17, 21, 23 Mathew:23/1-12

The Gospel Proclamation .... "The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law. So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do, do not, however, imitate their actions because they don't practice what they preach. They tie onto people's backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help them carry those loads. They do everything so that people will see them. .... You must not be called 'Teacher' because you are all equal and have only one Teacher. And you must not call anyone here on earth, 'Father', because you have only the one Father in heaven. Nor should you be called 'Leader' because your one and only leader is the Messiah.

The greatest one among you must be your servant. Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great.

Prayerful Awareness In the Scripture we find at times Jesus speaking to the "crowds" and at other times to the "disciples". In this instance the instructions are given to both.

In the society that Jesus began His ministry, the Pharisees and the scribes played a prominent part. Being religious leaders of the Old Testament era, they had a high opinion of themselves.

Therefore they expected the ordinary people to respect them and on their part they too lived in a manner so as to

demand respect and recognition from the people. In order to achieve this end they resorted to various means (vs.5-7).

The Pharisees and the scribes associated with those whom the world considered as "righteous". They looked down upon the lowly and those considered as "sinners".

Gaze at Jesus In this backdrop, let us look at the life of Jesus. On the contrary Jesus did not dress in order to attract attention.

Jesus lived and moved freely with those whom the society considered as "sinners" and "down cast" such as the lepers, the tax collectors (e.g. Sacheus), the prostitutes (e.g. Mary Magdalene) etc.

What Jesus preached to others, "the greatest among you must be your servant" (vs. 11), "whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (vs.12) He Himself practiced unlike the Pharisees. (vs. 3) The doctrine that Jesus preached to put in a nutshell is "to be childlike" or be "small". Perhaps Jesus had very good reasons to say so. He experienced the consequences of one becoming "childlike", Himself. Whereas the world says "be important" "be big", "be the master" etc.

Gaze at my sonship How do I live in my day to day life? Do I follow the way of life of the Pharisees? Or am I a disciple of Jesus?

Do I want recognition and honour from the world, or do I want to experience eternal life?

Prayer Starter Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way, I will show the salvation of God.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

35

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Wednesday 28th February 2018 could not fully grasp what Our Lord said Jeremiah:18/18-20 Psalm:30/5-6,14-16 to them, The reason - they were obsessed with the idea of a king, a conquering one.

(31/4-5, 13-15) Sometimes we let ourselves into wishful Mathew:20/17-28 thinking which believes that the unpleasThe Gospel Proclamation .... "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; .... and on the third day he will be raised.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee .... And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." .... But Jesus .... said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many."

Prayerful Awareness Jesus foretold the things that were to happen to him in Jerusalem, not just once but thrice, (Mk.8/31, Mk.9/31, Mk.10/33). Each time something new or grimmer detail of horror was added. Here one can see that Jesus took the decision all by Himself. The disciples simply

ant truth cannot really be true. The human tendency prefers the complimentary to the derogatory. It is interesting to note that whenever Jesus foretold His passion and death on the cross, it was followed

by His resurrection. The apparent defeat of the cross could not dissuade Him from saying 'Yes' to it, but He saw the victory clearly - the Resurrection. No cross, no crown." "As for the Son, He effects His own resurrection by virtue of divine power. Jesus announces that the Son of Man will have to suffer much, die, and then rise. Elsewhere He affirms explicitly "I lay down my life, that I may take it again .... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." We believe that Jesus died and rose again."

(C.C.C. 649) Then we have the mother of James and John going to Jesus to ask for a favour - which clearly shows that she was thinking of personal glory - glory devoid of sacrifice. Their ambitions were blind. the concept of greatness they harboured was wrong. Sit on the right or left - it was a position of authority, a highly influential one. Usually the one on the right is viewed as the very next successor.

When the other disciples came to know of this incident they were disturbed as they thought they should be the first.

Though Jesus was irritated He did not lose His temper. To be great one has to be responsible, fulfil one's responsibilities with love and fidelity. Greatness is neither to have position or people nor lord over them. It is ability to serve, bear the burden without complaint or condition but with loving dedication. Follow the example set by Christ.

Prayer Starter Guide and help us to set our goals in You. Lord, Amen.

"Reveal Your Holy Will to us O Lord!"

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