WALK IN THE SPIRIT June 2018 Volume 06 Issue 16
"Your Word, Your Will A Fire and A Blessing
ISSN 1391-5967
Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa
SHARING ON PRAYER June 2018 It’s immense! What the New Birth entails! (Ephesians:1/4 - 7) - The Father has chosen us in Christ, before the foundation of the world to be holy and spotless before him - He destined us to be His sons through Jesus Christ - In Christ we have redemption through His Blood and the forgiveness of our sins If the begetting is at this moment, whatever be the human experience, my ‘Faith experience’ must provide me with the assurance that here and now I am holy, spotless. What a staggering thought? The Blood of Christ has not been shed in vain. Awareness and consequent claim and appropriation is all that I am called upon to do. Faith is the one word that captures this whole experience Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne
4
St. Justin, Martyr
Friday 1st June 2018 1 Peter: 4/7-13 Psalm:95/10-13 (96/10-13) Mark: 11/11-25
The Gospel Proclamation Please read today’s gospel of Mark and pay special attention to Mark 11: 15-17. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it “a den of robbers”. Prayerful Awareness What was Jesus’ experience in this situation? Buying and selling goods is a part of our everyday life. We all, in one way or another, depend on this transactional activity. In fact, Saint Paul was a tent maker, selling his service in order to make a living. Moreover, when Mary poured a perfume on Jesus’ feet, Judas Iscariot asked why it was not sold and the money used to give to the poor, inferring that this kind of activity was common among the disciples, and allowed or even guided by Jesus. So, it was not the act of buying and selling that Jesus did not like, but the fact that the transactions were occurring in the synagogue, the house of prayer. However, Jesus did not limit the presence of God to only the syna-
gogue. Jesus said “the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:21). Saint Paul said “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, our bodies are also houses of prayer. Now let us look closely at this temple that is our body and see whether we are transacting with God. According to Genesis, we are created in the image of God. But, have we in turn made God unto our likeness? Are we transacting with God so that we have some control over what happens to us? Do we believe that God loves us according to how much we love Him, a God that provides for us according to how much we sacrifice for Him, a God that will cure our diseases according to what we promise to Give to Him IF we are cured? "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"--though they were offered in accordance with the law (Hebrews 10:8). Our God is not a God of transactions. ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (The Parable of the Lost Son, Luke 15:31). “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ (The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Mathew 20: 15). Prayer starter “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mathew 5:45). Praise to you God my Father..
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
5
Saturday 2nd June 2018
Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, Martyrs
Jude: 1/17-25 Psalm: 62/2-6,8-9 (63/1-5) Mark: 11/27-33 First Proclamation But remember, my dear friends, what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 'At the final point of time', ..., 'there will be mockers who follow nothing but their own godless desires.' It is they who cause division, who live according to nature and do not possess the Spirit. But you, my dear friends, must build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit; ... Gospel Proclamation They came to Jerusalem again, and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, 'What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to act like this?' Jesus said to them,' And I will ask you a question, just one; answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this. John's baptism, what was its origin, heavenly or human? Answer me that.' And they argued this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will say, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?" But dare we say human?' -- they had the people to fear, for everyone held that John had been a real prophet. So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.' And Jesus said to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.' Prayerful Awareness Let us meditate on today’s Proc-
lamations, which are about the life filled with God’s Holy Spirit, whereby we become children of God and come under His protection and guidance. The Holy Spirit will guide us to do the right thing in each and every circumstance, and will grant us the wisdom to deal with each situation in a spirit of love and compassion. The absence of the Holy Spirit causes divisions, and trickery and deception, and such people will slide to destruction, and will be like a puff of wind! But those guided by the Holy Spirit will gain eternal life! What grace! Alleluia! Let us reflect on the wisdom displayed by our Lord Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as described in today’s Gospel Proclamation, and also other Gospel passages, such as how He responds to people who came to stone a woman caught in adultery, etc.! Song of Praise (Psalm 62/2-6, 8-9) He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold so that I stand unshaken. How much longer will you set on a victim, all together, intent on murder, like a rampart already leaning over, a wall already damaged? Trickery is their only plan, deception their only pleasure, with lies on their lips they pronounce a blessing, with a curse in their hearts. Rest in God alone, my soul! He is the source of my hope. He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold, so that I stand unwavering. Trust in him, you people, at all times. Pour out your hearts to him, God is a refuge for us. Ordinary people are a mere puff of wind, important people a delusion; set both on the scales together, and they are lighter than a puff of wind.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
6
Sunday 3rd June 2018
The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
Exodus:24/3-8 Psalm:115/12-13,15-18 (116/13-13,15-18) Hebrews:9/11-15 Mark: 14/12-16, 22-26 Introduction Today, on the ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. "For God so loved the world that that he gave his only Son" (John 3:16). For the Son so loved the Father, in total obedience to the will of God, offered up his life for the salvation of the whole universe. Sacrificing his life on the cross and moving beyond every limitation and boundary he passed over to an eternal, unlimited and glorious state of perfection called "Resurrection." As an external expression of this he gives himself to us through his body and blood. It is truly essential that we be conscious of the grace filled vocations bound to this Holy Sacrament that of the Holy Eucharist and priesthood. The fact that he sacrificed himself on the cross and shed his blood on behalf of the whole universe, thus entering into communion with it in its totality should awaken us to his glorious presence in every living and non-living being as well as in each and every incident. While praising God for the gift of his infinite love through this great sacrament let us enter into the journey of prayer. The First Proclamation Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances and all the people answered with one voice, and said 'All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.' And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve pillars,
corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. He sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed oxen as offerings of well-being to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins and half of the blood he dashed against the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient". Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, "See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words." Prayerful Awareness When God took the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt and was leading them to the promised land under the leadership of Moses, He entered into a Covenant with them on Mount Sinai. "Moses told the people of all the commands of the Lord and all the ordinances. In answer, all the people said with one voice, 'We will observe all the commands that the Lord has decreed.' The above proclamation shows how the covenant was sealed with a blood sacrifice. There Moses said, 'This is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you, containing the rules.' Thus while it was the normal tradition of the Old Testament to offer animal sacrifices, in the New Testament, Christ made Himself the sacrifice, the offering (the sacrificed) as well as the priest. The Gospel Proclamation On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to Jesus, 'Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?' ' So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you, follow him, and
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
7
wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal. While they were eating he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it gave it to them and said, 'Take; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Prayerful Awareness According to the First Proclamation it is evident that the paschal meal had been a significant occasion from the time of Exodus, since the journey into freedom. Often the Israelites did not remain faithful to the covenant with God made under the leadership of Moses. Yet God forever remaining faithful to the covenant took initiative in redirecting them. Again and again He reoriented the people towards the Covenant by means of the prophets. Through them God promised a new covenant that would be written upon their hearts. (see Jeremiah 31:31). The proclamation today depicts how this promise is fulfilled. At the last supper Jesus, combining it with His redemptive death and resurrection added an ever new meaning to the Paschal meal. Thus it became a New Covenant in its deepest sense. Through the preparations made and what was done and said in the rite he shared with his disciples the mysterious experience of love and sacrifice and deep communion. With the proclamation, "This is my body and this is my blood, blood of the
covenant," he gifted himself to us and brought into fulfillment the Covenant of Love through the Eucharist and His Most Precious Blood. The Second Proclamation But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent ‌.. he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. (Please read the whole proclamation). Prayerful Awareness Jesus Christ the High Priest who offered the most perfect sacrifice, invites us to daily nourish ourselves with the Eucharist and to cleanse ourselves with his baptism of blood. Whenever we fall into sin, selfishness and defeat let us open up to our fallen state and walk to the foot of the cross for cleansing. With the help of the Blessed Mother at the foot of the cross let us claim the salvation brought by the Lord. Gaze at our Sonship Lord Jesus Christ at every Eucharist, offers Himself as the paschal lamb. Divine meal He shared at the Last Supper is bestowed on us even today, ready to be broken and be one with our flesh and blood thus giving us the inheritance of a new life of healing and comfort. Similarly He is present in the most holy Eucharist day and night confined to a tabernacle simply for our sake. Let us awaken ourselves to the vocation of discipleship as a son and daughter of God. Let us take time to present ourselves before the Holy Eucharist as well as to receive nourishment from the Eucharistic Lord. Prayer Starter The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us; .... He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
8
Monday 4th June 2018
Feast of St. Francis Caracciolo, Confessor
2 Peter: 1/2-7 Psalm: 90/1-2,14-16 (91/1-2, 14-16) Mark: 12/1-12 St. Francis Caracciolo He was born on 13th October 1563 in Abruzzi, Italy. In his youth he fell victim to a terrible skin disease akin to leprosy. However at 22 when he dedicated himself exclusively to God's service, he found himself suddenly cured. He went to Naples to study Theology and was ordained to the priesthood in 1587. Together with St. John Augustine he founded the Miner Clerks Regular, a religious congregation (both contemplative and active). The members were prohibited from aspiring to ecclesiastical dignities, called for perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He took the name of Francis and he became the first superior of the Naples Congregation. He is famous particularly for his "Seven Stations of the Passion of Our Lord." Died 4th June 1608. Canonized by Pope Pius VII on 24th May 1807. The Gospel Proclamation Then he began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower, then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. .... And so it was with many others, ... He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the
tenants and give the vineyard to others.
Have you not read this scripture: 'The
stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?"...... Prayerful Awareness The picture or the experience presented in this parable is not foreign to Jews. It is really part and parcel of their way of life. The basic necessities of a vineyard were all there - a wall to protect it from wild beasts and robbers; a wine vat and a press, a watch tower and lodging for the workers. The landowner stands for God. The trust He had on the tenants was great. He left everything at their discretion. He was not there either to supervise or to check everything. He was satisfied with and believed in their capabilities - the very talents God had given them. His respect for the tenants was great. He waits for us to produce and to bear fruit. We become too selfish to have everything - exceed our limits. We even want to go to the extent of tampering with the ownership of the vineyard. The patience of God is highlighted here - He sent a number of slaves, one after the other - to claim His share. God does give us chance after chance. "I, the Lord, am not easily angered and I show great love and faithfulness and forgive sin and rebellion." (Numbers 14:18). God does not quickly retaliate. The grace period, or time to return and repent was given. Of the two - the vineyard and God - which is our choice? The son is Jesus whom the tenants killed out of jealousy and envy. The supreme sacrifice of life by Jesus is brought to light. For our salvation He willed and laid down His life. Le us give God not only His vineyard but also our love and lives. Prayer Starter The gifts You have given us are numerous. Help us to count our blessings. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
9
Tuesday 5th June 2018 2 Peter:3/12-15,17-18 Psalm:89/2-4,10,14.16 (90/2-4,10,14,16 Mark:12/13-17 The First Proclamation of God’s Love While you wait for the Day of God to come, and try to hasten its coming: on that Day the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for, relying on his promises, is the new heavens and new earth, where uprightness will be at home. So then, my dear friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live blameless and unsullied lives so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord's patience as your opportunity to be saved... Fix your gaze on Jesus How real is the present perception we have of reality? Jesus, our Master in saying, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’ seems to infer a distinction here, between what is of God and what is of the World; and the first reading very emphatically and clearly states the same, seeming to hint that the states of material manifestation has to pass, and that of energy / intelligence-the true indestructible and foundational stuff of this creation, is to emerge. A very necessary question we need to ask seems to be, ‘what is our true nature’? And, ‘what is the nature of the on-going renewal / transformation / evolution / process that the Creator/God is conducting here’? We are told that ‘we are not human beings learning to be spiritual, but are rather spiritual beings training
St. Boniface, Bishop & Martyr to be human’. If we were to say this in other words, we are Children of Light- creatures who are foundationally Energy/Intelligence in nature (divine stuff), who are presently (in the Now and Here) relating to a material state of being! As the scriptures reveal elsewhere, this body of ours is but a temporary housing, accorded for this earthly training session, our Real Abode, elsewhere. Please search within to find your personal take on what is meant by, ‘God, who is also the Living WORD, gave up his glory, and became flesh. One in being with the Father’. Now, set aside your personal take for an instant and try to relate this to the statements above. See the wonder that is transpiring! We who are called human being are really composed of divine stuff; we simply need to shed our erroneous understandings of ‘Who We Think We Are’, and accept God’s assertions of ‘Who We Should Think (believe)We Are’. So, ‘beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’. In spite of their intention to trap Jesus, they said the truth, ‘Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man of the World; you regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth’. Shall we too accept that Jesus is the Truth, and his revelations are the ‘Way’ to the Bosom of Love, so that we could have ‘Life’ eternal? Prayer Starter As if through a faded mirror, things seem to be becoming clearer O Lord.... we should contemplate Your word more and more and seek to experience the true nature of ‘What Is’...this is Your Holy Will...
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
10
Wednesday 6th June 2018
St. Norbert Bishop
teronomy had no direct teaching about it. The writings of Moses were the only scripture they followed. According to Old Testament law, when a man died without a son, his brother had a to marry the widow and The Gospel Proclamation produce children to care for her and Some Sadducees, who say there allow the family line to continue. The is no resurrection, came to him and first son of this marriage was considered asked him a question, saying "Teach- the HEIR of the dead man. er, Moses wrote for us that if a man's What LIFE will be after the resbrother dies, leaving a wife but no urrection is far beyond our ability to child, the man shall marry the widow understand or IMAGINE. We need not and raise up children for his brother. be afraid, we should concentrate on There were seven brothers, the first our RELATIONSHIP with Christ right married and, when he died, left no NOW. We will be with Him, if we learn children, and the second married her to LOVE and TRUST Christ. Then we and died, leaving no children, and will not be AFRAID of what He has in the third likewise, none of the seven store for us. left children. Last of all the woman The Sadducees' real question was not herself died. In the resurrection whose about marriage, but about the doctrine of wife will she be? For the seven had RESURRECTION. Jesus quoted from married her." Exodus 3:6 to prove that there is life after Jesus said to them, "Is not this the death. God spoke of Abraham, Isaac and reason you are wrong, that you know Jacob years AFTER their death as if they neither the scriptures, nor the power STILL LIVED. God's covenant with all of God? For when they rise from the people exists BEYOND DEATH. dead, they neither marry nor are Jesus' statement does not mean that given in marriage, but are like angels people WON'T RECOGNISE their partin heaven. And as for the dead being ners in the coming Kingdom. It simply raised, have you not read in the book means that GOD'S NEW ORDER will of Moss, in the story about the bush, NOT be an extension of THIS life, and how God said to him, 'I am the God that the same PHYSICAL and NATUof Abraham, the God of Isaac, and RAL rules would not apply. Jesus' comthe God of Jacob'? He is God not of ment in verse 25 was NOT intended to the dead, but of the living; you are be the final word on marriage in heaven. quite wrong." Instead, this response was Jesus' refusal Prayerful Awareness to answer the Sadducees' riddle and fall into their trap. Sidestepping their quesAfter the Pharisees and Herodians tion about the much-married woman, failed to trap Jesus with their tax ques- He gave a DEFINITE answer to their tions, the Sadducees stepped in with question about the RESURRECTION. a question they were SURE to stump Prayer Starter Him. This was a question that they had successfully used against the Pharisees We thank You, Lord, for the assurwho could not come up with an answer. ance that this world is not all we have The Sadducees did not believe in life but that a blessed eternity awaits all who after death because the Genesis-Deu- trust in You.
2 Timothy:1/1-3,6-12 Psalm:122/1-2 (123/1-2) Mark:12/18-27
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
11
Thursday 7th June 2018 2 Timothy:2/8-15 Psalm:24/4-5,8-10,14 (25/4-5,8-10,14) Mark:12/28-34 Gospel Proclamation One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." .... And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions. Prayerful Awareness "First of all commandments?" We know from Genesis Chapter 1, that God created the world and the entire universe and then created man, best of all creations, created to His own image. All this He did to display His Great Love, to let every creature know He is Love, and created for His glory ( Isaiah 43:7). Therefore man is expected to share His love and bring Him glory, to be His agents or workers, as His adopted sons or children. Therefore nothing else could be more important to us than to love and give thanks and praise to our ever Loving Creator who adopted us as children through the relationship or the connection we have with His Begotten Son, who became our Redeemer, Saviour, Teacher, Guide and our Friend. As children He expects us to display His qualities, Love (as God is Love) and Mercy. Due to this great love, God could not put aside man even after sin, but wanted to regain by a payment made for our sins, using His
only begotten Son, the Second Person of Holy Trinity, the only visual form of God who came down to earth as Jesus Christ. Jesus loved the entire creation vested on Him by Father (Mathew 28:18), and man, the best of all creations. He proved His love for each and every man on earth by offering His life. He gave us a new Commandment to be practiced by all His followers who accept Him as Saviour and Lord, and follow His teachings, to “love one another as I Love you” (John 15:12), and display that we are children of God (Rom 8:14 ) guided by the Spirit of God, and bear qualities of God (Galatians 5:22), mainly His Great Love. This is why Jesus said, to the Scribe (a Teacher of Mosaic Law) “you are not far from the Kingdom of God” when he said “you are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than He.” In (Exodus 3:14), When Moses asked, who shall I tell You are, God said to Moses, “I am who I am”, to say that I am God the one, and there is no other. There is no name that could be given to God other than He is our Lord, God and there is no other. Therefore we should give our first place and our greatest honour only to our God, God of the Holy Trinity and no other, or any other creation, to the best of our ability all the time. In the First Reading St. Paul reminds us and tells us “Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God as workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation”. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, I accept You as the Son of God who came down to earth to save all of us and to guide us on to the correct path to receive salvation. I accept You as my Saviour and my Teacher and my Lord. Please intercede for me and send to me the Holy Spirit to know God our Father and His Love better and to love God more and more, with all my heart and with all my soul, Thank You Jesus, Amen
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
12
Friday 8th June 2018
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Hosea:11/1,3-4,8-9 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not Psalm:Isaiah:12/2-6 Ephesians:3/8-12,14-19 one of His bones shall be broken.” Prayerful Awareness John: 19/31-37 In the Second Proclamation Paul reminds us that the salvation of the The Second Proclamation Gentiles (that’s us) is not an afterTo me, who am less than the least thought of God; the bringing of all men of all the saints, this grace was giv- into His love was part of God's eternal en, that I should preach among the design, and that we ourselves would Gentiles the unsearchable riches of never have any right to enter into the Christ, and to make all see what is Father’s presence, but for Jesus His the fellowship of the mystery, which beloved Son. With Jesus there is an from the beginning of the ages has open door to God's presence. For this been hidden in God who created all very purpose we have to accept Christ things through Jesus Christ; to the into our hearts and believe through intent that now the manifold wisdom faith that Jesus died for us; that we may of God might be made known by be able to experience the love of God the church to the principalities and that passes all understanding, that we powers in the heavenly places, ac- may be filled with all the fullness of cording to the eternal purpose which God. In the Gospel Proclamation John He accomplished in Christ Jesus our testifies to the death of Jesus. He had to Lord, in whom we have boldness and die to conquer death on our behalf and access with confidence through faith through His Resurrection pave the way to the Presence of the Father. in Him ....... Gaze at our sonship The Gospel Proclamation Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
How blessed we are to have a Father who loves us so much that inspite of who we are He would not condemn us but offers us hope by giving His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Prayer starter Heavenly Father we thank and praise You for this wonderful gift of salvation that You have offered us. Give us the grace to believe and accept Jesus into our hearts as our Saviour so that with Jesus we could enter Your presence in reverence and bow down before You and experience the love and peace only You can give in Jesus' Name we pray.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
13
Saturday 9th June 201
Immaculate Heart of the Bl. Virgin Mary
Isaiah:61/9-11 Song:1 Samuel:2/1,4-8 Luke:2/41-51
First Proclamation Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, ...
Gospel Proclamation
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival ended .... the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him ... When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, ..... And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. He said to them, "|Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Song of Praise Hannah then prayed as follows: My heart exults in Yahweh, in my God is my strength lifted up, my mouth derides my foes, for I rejoice in your deliverance. The bow of the mighty has been broken but those who were tottering are now braced with strength. The full fed are hiring themselves out for bread but the hungry need labour no more; the barren woman bears sevenfold but the mother of many is left desolate. Yahweh gives death and life, brings down to Sheol and draws up; Yahweh makes poor and rich, he humbles and also exalts. He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the dunghill to give them a place with princes, to assign them a seat of honour; for to Yahweh belong the pillars of the earth, on these he has poised the world. He safeguards the steps of his faithful but the wicked vanish in darkness (for human strength can win no victories).
Prayerful Awareness
On this day when we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us see the similarities between the song of praise of Hannah, and the “Magnificat” sung by the Blessed Mother (Luke 1:46-55) after the Annunciation! Let us also reflect on the phrase, “His mother treasured all these things in her heart” from today’s Gospel. The First Proclamation is also part of a song of praise to Almighty God by prophet Isaiah regarding “The Good News of Deliverance” foretelling the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, our redeemer, whereby salvation has become available to all who believe, which is the reason by which the nation of Israel is blessed, and by which we believers too, deemed descendants of the Father of Faith, Abraham, have been blessed! Amen! Praise the Lord!
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
14
Sunday 10th June 2018 10th Sunday of Ordinary of Ordinary Time Ps. Wk II the woman, your offspring and her Genesis:3/9-15 offspring. It will crush your head Psalm:129/1-8 and you will strike its heel.'" (130/1-8) Prayerful Awareness 2 Corinthians:4/13-5/1 Mark:3/20-35 The eleven chapters of the book of Genesis reveal the cause of suf"Anyone who does the will of fering and death. The people of God God, that person is my brother and on returning to their motherland from Babylonian captivity, with the sister and mother" (Mark. 3:35) experience of the exodus, have preIntroduction sented the solution to the fundamental A clear proof of the reign of God problem of man through the light of amongst us is our thirst for the will divine revelation. Genesis 8:15 of the of God, willingness to comply with Bible in its essence predicts the one it and lead a life of communion. The who with his total obedience to the core of the Gospel is the Saviour Je- Father effects the dawn of a new era sus Christ being the perfect solution of victory over the devil. to the consequence of sin emerged Entering into prayer through the disobedience of the first "With the Lord there is mercy and man and woman to the word of God fullness of redemption" (Responsorial running till the end of time. Genesis Psalm) 8:15 is a foretelling of this redempLet us recall moments of disobeditive revelation. Proclamations of the day invite us to recognize the evil ence of being unconscious to the word forces working against the kingdom of God and enter into prayer with a and to be a community of people repentant heart. who obey the will of God in order to From the Gospel Proclamation fight against them by deepening our "…I tell you solemnly, all men's relationship with Christ. sins will be forgiven, and all their The word of God, His will, is a blasphemies; but let anyone blasfire and a blessing. pheme against the Holy Spirit and From the First Proclamation he will never have forgiveness: he "Lord God called to the man… is guilty of an eternal sin." Prayerful Awareness ..'Where are you?' he asked. 'I heard the sound of you in the We cannot really know who Christ garden;' he replied 'I was afraid is without the inspiration of the Holy because I was naked, so I hid.' Spirit. Similarly, we need to experi…..Then the Lord God said to the ence the gifts of the Spirit, of wisdom, serpent, 'Because you have done knowledge and discernment of spirits this, 'Be accursed beyond all cattle, in order to recognize different forces all wild beasts….I will make you of evil working in and around us. enemies of each other: you and The foundation for a Christian com-
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
15
munity is our longing to do the will of God, and the mutual help given to each other for to allow the constant working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit aids us in recognizing in intricate detail the causes of disunity in communal living. A shared experience: One day, close upon mid-night, the phone rang at home at a time I was fully engaged in prayer. Opening myself to the Holy Spirit I took the receiver. "Please listen to me." Then a flow of complaints‌"I didn't have a wink of sleep for the past few days. What is the meaning of your guidance? You say, set aside human reasoning and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us." He went on for a few minutes and I was thoroughly disturbed. In stillness I implored the Holy Spirit to come to my aid. After sometime I got the opportunity to talk. "Holy Spirit is the source of wisdom. It is He who guided not only Jesus Christ and the saints but also who guides the Pope as well as each one of us, as stated in Rom.8:14. He is the giver of all human understanding and wisdom. This word is not an insult to the learned and the intelligent but an honour." There was a great silence. In a few minutes he spoke to me again. "Please say a prayer for me just at this moment." We prayed. Very early the next morning he rang up again. "Thank you very much and praise the Lord. I came out of darkness. First thing in the morning I spoke to several people who dragged me into the dark and shared my experience. Thanks a lot. Glory be to God!" Prayer: For what did the Spirit awaken me at this moment? It is an opportunity to
recognize shadowy attitudes within myself which I had been blind to. O Holy Spirit, teach me how to be a brother, a sister, a mother and a father in deep communion with Christ. The Second Proclamation "But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture - "I believed, and so I spoke" - we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God......
Throughout the week
Let us be mindful of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-11, Rom. 12:58, Eph. 4:11-12). Five-fold awakening to the Holy Spirit Opening ourselves to the Holy Spirit seven times a day More focus on constant awareness Sharing of daily experiences at least with one person Prayer Starter The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward. Let them be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up, with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms, while those who pass by do not say, "The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!" (Ps. 129/4-9)
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
16
Monday 11th June 2018
Feast of St. Barnabas, Apostle & Martyr
Acts: 11/21-26;13/1-3 Psalm:97/1-6 (98/1-6) Mathew: 10/7-13 St. Barnabas He was born in the island of Cyprus and settled in Jerusalem. He was converted to Christianity soon after Pentecost in the year 29 or 30 and sold all his possessions for the benefit of the Church, thus earning from the apostles the surname, 'Barnabas', meaning 'son of consolation" or "son of encouragement". It was he who welcomed the converted Saul to Jerusalem and sponsored him before the apostles, when they at first found it difficult to believe that their fiercest persecutor had now become an ardent propagator of the faith. To both these the Church accorded the title of "Apostle". The two apostles, together with John and Mark were instrumental in evangelizing Cyprus. He is believed to have been stoned to death before the year 61. The First Proclamation The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion, for he was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. .... Prayerful Awareness As the practice of the church in Jerusalem was, the leaders there sent
someone to look into the situation at Antioch. The selection of the man to be sent was done by God. We see that they sent the most suitable person - Barnabas. He was a man led by the Holy Spirit and did not give undue places to worldly affairs, i.e. the Lord of his life was Jesus Christ. When everyone cast suspicious looks on St. Paul, he showed confidence on St. Pau. A generous man Barnabas was. At the receiving end of his generosity were the needy as well as the Church. His happiness knew no bounds when he saw that the Gentiles were wooing the Church and e Lord. He saw the dire need of someone to be in charge of the work involved. That has to be one born and bred a Jew while at the same time looked on the Gentiles with love. Yes, for a Christian leader Antioch was in a way hostile. That leader must be well versed in arguing, meet the two-pronged attack of Jews and Gentiles. Surely Barnabas was guided by the Holy Spirit and he knew who was to fill that vacancy. It was none other than St. Paul, selected by the Lord Himself. "Go, because I have chosen him to serve Me, to make My name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15) This was the task the Lord had made ready for St. Paul. Barnabas did what the Lord wanted him to do. The followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch. "Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, Christians are "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" and so participate in the life of the Risen Lord. Following Christ and united with Him, Christians can strive to be "imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love" by conforming their thoughts, words and actions to the "mind .... which is yours in Christ Jesus" and by following His example" (C.C.C. 1694) Prayer Starter Help us to take Your word to others. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
17
Tuesday 12th June 2018 1 Kings: 17/7-16 Psalm:4/2-5, 7-8 (4/1-4, 6-7) Mathew: 5/13-16
festations but hid a deeper / underlying
reality; and that life/intelligence is able
The First Proclamation of God’s Love And then the word of Yahweh came to him, 'Up and go to Zarephath in Sidonia, and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to give you food.' So he went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Addressing her he said, 'Please bring a little water in a pitcher for me to drink.' She was on her way to fetch it when he called after her. 'Please', he said, 'bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.' 'As Yahweh your God lives,' she replied, 'I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.' But Elijah said to her, 'Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son. For Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when Yahweh sends rain on the face of the earth.' The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as Yahweh had foretold through Elijah.
Fix your gaze on Jesus
Jesus our Lord did not limit his perception / understanding to appearances (what can be grasped with the primary senses). He knew that physical mani-
to shape / create anew what is, as it suits them! Do you know this? Thus did He teach the listeners to Go-For-TheirGod-Given-Potential! We hear Jesus say, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’. Thus did Elias of the Olden days guide himself too. There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elias, and some, it is likely, would have bidden him welcome to their houses; yet he is sent to honour and bless with his presence a city of Sidon, a Gentile city, and so becomes the first prophet of the Gentiles. Jezebel was Elijah’s greatest enemy; yet, to show her how powerless was her malice, God will find a hiding–place for him even in her own country. The person appointed to succour Elijah is not one of the rich or great men of Sidon; a poor widow woman, in want, and desolate, is made both able and willing to sustain him. This is God’s way, and it is His glory, to make use of, and put honour upon, the weak and foolish things of the world. O woman, great was thy faith; one has not found the like, no not in Israel. She took the prophet’s word, that she should not lose by it. Those who can venture upon the promise of God, will make no difficulty to expose and empty themselves in His service, by giving Him his part first. Prayer Starter First things First; stay attuned / connected to the Source, and all things will be possible and be done unto you... get in touch with the real stuff, the indestructible inexhaustible divine within... this is His Holy Will...
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
18
Wednesday 13th June 2018 1 Kings: 18/20-39 Psalm:15/1-2,4,5, (16/1-2,4-5,8,11) Mathew: 5/17-19
The Gospel Proclamation "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of haven. Gaze at Jesus Jesus teaches the perfect law and the fullness of the law. That is the law equipped with the Spirit of life and truth and justice for all. When Jesus proposes a perfect law, He does not intend like other Jewish teachers to reform the religious laws or to increase them. He exhorts us to receive the spirit which inspired the law. This is a popular remark of Jesus, "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of God." He did not want the Pharisees to place burdens on innocent people, which is not God's intension. However, Jesus made it
St. Anthony of Padua
very clear that the essence of God's Law, His Commandments and way of life must be fuflfilled. On many occasions, Jesus released many who were gravely sick, redeemed the oppressed and set free the people who were possessed by devils on the Sabbath day. This was done amidst the opposition of the Pharisees. He gave a meaning to the Sabbath in liberating people from their enslavements and showed that He is the Lord of the Sabbath too. Jesus always wanted to free the people as this is the Father's wish for the Kingdom of God. According to the First Proclamation, Prophet Elijah challenges the people to prove who is God. A bull was made ready to offer as a sacrifice but without fire. Elijah was also to do the same. The people began to pray to Baal and danced calling his name for a long time. But everything was in vain. Net it was Elijah's turn to show the people that He alone is God. Fire of the Lord fell and burned up the offering. The people were wonder struck and declared that the Lord is God. Elijah was able to witness to the people about God and His love and faithfulness which are beyond traditions and rituals. Prayer Starter Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Ps.16/1,2,11)
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
19
Thursday 14th June 2018 1 Kings:18/41-46 Psalm: 112/1-8 (113/1-8) Mathew:5/20-26
The First Proclamation Please read 1 Kings 18/41-46 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 to 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 will 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. Prayerful Awareness
NOT self-centered, (3) Be based on REVERENCE to God, NOT approval from men (4) Go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law. Moses said "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). Jesus taught that we should not even become ANGRY enough to murder. Then we have already committed murder in our HEARTS. Pharisees were angry with Jesus and plotted His death. Killing is a terrible SIN. Anger is a great sin too, because it violates God's command to LOVE. It is a dangerous emotion that threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress and spiritual damage. SELF CONTROL is good but Christ wants us to practice THOUGHT CONTROL as well. We will be held accountable even for our attitudes. Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. Hypocrites claim to LOVE GOD while hating others. In Jesus' day, someone who could not pay a debt was thrown into prison until the debt was paid. Unless someone came to pay the debt for the prisoner, he or she would probably DIE there. It is practical advice to resolve our differences with our enemies before their anger causes more trouble. (Proverbs 25/8-10). Small conflicts MEND more easily if we try to make peace RIGHT AWAY. These verses advise us to get things right with our brothers and sisters before we have to STAND BEFORE GOD. Prayer Starter
Jesus was saying that His listeners needed a different kind of righteousness altogether (legal compliance). Our Lord Jesus, guard my heart, my RIGHTEOUSNESS must (1) come from thoughts and my words today. May I what GOD does in us, not what we can speak only words that please You and do by ourselves, (2) Be God-centred, bring health and healing to others.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
20
Friday 15th June 2018 wife to be self-content with a simple life that support each other, nurture each other physically, and spiritually. Our marriage partners are not only one who will bring each other physical and mental content, but also become spiritual mentors. Genesis also reveals that at the beginGospel Proclamation ning, God intended marriage to be a joyful You have heard that it was said, reunion with God revealing His image. you shall not commit adultery. But “Let us make man in our image, accordI tell you that anyone who looks at a ing to our likeness, and let them rule woman lustfully has already committed over the fish of the sea and over the birds adultery with her in her heart. If your of the sky, and over the cattle, and over right eye causes you to stumble gauge all the earth … God created man in his it out and throw it away. It is better for own image, in the image of God, He creyou to lose one part of your body than ated them male and female”. Therefore, for your whole body to be thrown into the marital union is not complete without hell. And if your right hand causes you a relationship with God. A marital union to stumble cut it off and throw it away. bears good fruits such as love, joy, peace, It is better for you to lose one part of patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, your body that for your whole body gentleness and self-control through their to go to hell. It has been said, anyone union with Christ. who divorces his wife must give her a In the first reading from Kings, when certificate of divorce. But I tell you that God asks Elijah, what are you doing here, anyone who divorces his wife, except for His answer was, “Lord God Almighty, I sexual immorality, makes her the victim have always served you and you alone, But of adultery, and anyone who marries the people of Israel has broken the covedivorced woman commits adultery. nant with you” Throughout, history, the Gaze at Jesus most threatened societal community was family. The chaos in the society through“Getting distracted” has become an out history to present day can be attributed acceptable norm today and it is more to the fallen nature of family lives. so an acceptable common occurrence in Therefore, let us spend a few minutes relationships concerning marriage. Jesus warns and challenges us that losing our today to reflect on our own family lives to integrity in a relationship is like losing a make amends where necessary and offer daily a decade of the Rosary for families part of our body. of the world.
1 Kings: 19/9, 11-16 Psalm:26/7-9, 13-14 (27/7-9,13-14) Mathew:5/27-32
Our sonship
The 7th commandment in the Old Testament says “Do not commit adultery." It was and it is the duty of every Christian to uphold the Ten Commandments. We are blessed with the Holy Spirit to be joyfully content with our blessings and mature into a loving relationship with God. Therefore, spiritual maturity enables husband and
Prayer Starter (Psalm 27: 13-14)
I know that I will live to see the Lord’s goodness in this present life Trust in the Lord. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the Lord.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
21
Saturday 16th June 2018 1 Kings:19/19-21 Psalm:15/1-2,5, 7-10 (16/1-2, 5, 7-10) Mathew:5/33-37 The Gospel Proclamation “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Prayerful Awareness
the mind and therefore do not want us to give more importance than needed for the words that are created by the mind. Yet, how seriously do we react to others’ words, especially when they are hurtful? Hurtful words often arise in a heated argument. People that engage in arguments have one purpose, to prove that the other is wrong, and oneself is right. My twelve-year-old son has a book about how to write persuasive essays and some of the suggestions when attacking the opposite side of the arguments are: make harmful and cynical remarks to criticise or ridicule, criticise their motives such as calling them dishonest or self-interested, question their intelligence, question their moral standards, and trivialise the opposite side’s views or complaints. These suggestions are for a well thought out essay and they are effective strategies. Yet, we know that arguments occur with much less control, more emotion and greater impulsivity. So, should we really take those hurtful words seriously? Should we really continue to remember and be hurt by words that were only created by that person’s ego? Those hurtful words are not a reflection of who we are or who they are. Our identity is that we are children of God, made in His image. So, let us stop putting so much emphasis on how our ego was hurt by that person’s ego. Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation. Prayer starter
What was Jesus’ experience in order to say such a thing as above? It seems that Jesus is placing less importance on words than we seem to in our day to day living. Why is this so? Where do words come from? Words come from our mind and our thoughts. Our mind and our thoughts also create our ego. But we know that our ego is not our true self. Our true self is that formless self that is one with God and made in His image. If the ego is created by the mind and the thoughts and can fool us to believe that this is our true self, then should we really put that much emphasis on our words? According to Jesus, it seems Holy Spirit let me just, be, in Your we should not. presence. Jesus understood the fragility of
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
22
Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time Ps. Wk. III Pope's Day Ezekiel:17/22-24 high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. Psalm:91/2-3,13-16 I the Lord have spoken; I will ac(92/1-2, 12-15) complish it. 2 Corinthians: 5/6-10 Prayerful Awareness Mark: 4/26-34
Sunday 17th June 2018
Introduction Proclamations of the day invite us to experience the reign of God. Also we think of our chief pastor and the visible leader of the church today based on the theme "You are the symbol of reconciliation." Our Lord Jesus Christ, went in search of sinners, healed the lame and the blind and initiated the kingdom of God and claimed this heritage for the whole universe. Therefore, let us turn from where we are. Present Holy Father too invites the Holy Mother the Church to turn from where she is, to repent, to seek forgiveness and move towards the Lord. Total transformation of a person is the dawn of the kingdom in him. Experiencing the joy and peace of His Kingdom let up open a path to peace and enter into prayer asking for strength and courage. The First Proclamation Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar, I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of the young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make
The proclamation today implies of a person to be born from the dynasty of David. Similarly the leader of the rehabilitated Israel would secure peace and prosperity to the nation. On one hand the proclamations of the day are indicative of the coming of the Messiah while on the other hand they reveal the flow of grace, freedom and redemption bestowed on the whole of the universe. Definitely our Lord would have read these lines and realized what God had revealed of himself to Israelites through prophet Ezekiel. He would have claimed these words for himself convinced that God would be ever faithful to His promises to Israel. Thus he would have seen the future kingdom of peace being established by him. And his way of preparing the people for this purpose was through forgiveness of sins, healing the sick, casting out devils and awakening of hearts. Thus he fulfilled his mission giving a correct response. The Second Proclamation So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord - for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
23
Prayerful Awareness St. Paul with his deep relationship with the Risen Christ would have realized the greatness of his vocation of inheriting the kingdom of God. Thus, he invites the Corinthian Community to get out of the throes of limited intelligence and grasp the wisdom of God and also to conquer life courageously overcoming every problem, struggle, pain and oppression. It is an invitation by which we glorify the Lord walking in his foot-steps with a great "Amen" to his will and his attempt is to convince us of our vocation to experience his reign, allowing and submitting ourselves to his plan and will. Collect O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without You mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of Your grace, that in following Your commands we may please You by our resolve and our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for-ever and ever. Amen. The Gospel Proclamation He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest
of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Our Lord teaches the people of the kingdom of God using simple parables for the limited human mind cannot grasp its meaning. Since it is a vast reality he used what was at hand to instill in them the idea of the kingdom. So great was His wisdom that Our Lord did set a nice example of the beginning, existence and the spread of the Kingdom, using a mustard seed and also implying the infinite love and joy of God one would experience there. My Sonship The Kingdom of God is, Lord Jesus Christ, Only Lord and Master of my life. To the extent that I am in harmony with myself, family, village, community, parish family, place of employment and country there is the Kingdom of God. Signs of the Kingdom will then be visible in me, in my family, parish and community. Let us move toward this goal sharing our redemptive experience of joy. Prayer Starter God our Father, bestow on us the power of the Spirit to experience Your Son Jesus Christ constantly, to see the reign of Your Kingdom within ourselves and to support its growth. Let Your Kingdom be proclaimed in whatever I do and say. Lord God Almighty, may the light of the Spirit be upon us to proclaim Your Kingdom while experiencing Your unending love. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
24
Monday 18th June 2018 Feast of Sts. Mark & Marcellian, Martyrs 1 Kings:21/1-16 Psalm: 5/2-3,5-7 (5/1-2,4-6) Mathew:5/38-42 Sts. Mark & Marcellian They were twins hailing from an illustrious family in Rome. They had been converted to the faith and were honourably married. Under Diocletian rule persecution of Christians increased. Both Mark and Marcellian were imprisoned, tormented and condemned to be beheaded. Their friends however, obtained a 30-day respite, in order to prevail on them to reverse their stand. Their heathen parents, wives and children too tried in vain to reverse their decision. St. Sebastian visited them, encouraged them to persevere in their faith. The result was the happy conversion of parents, the public registrar and the judge who retired after freeing the two saints. They were hidden but were betrayed. They were bound to two pillars with their feet nailed to the same and kept there a day and a night, and later lanced to death. The Gospel Proclamation "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. Prayerful Awareness
the then society that in the Old Testament it is mentioned in Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20 and Deuteronomy 19:21. The original aim. we can see was to limit vengeance. The form of vengeance was nothing less than death. We must not forget that there are glimpses of mercy in the Old Testament - "I am the Lord and I show compassion and pity on those I choose.": (Ex. 33:19) "In the goodness of your constant love, in your great compassion turn to me." (Ps.69:16) "The inefficient worker, the resentful employee and the ungracious helper have not even begun to have the right idea of the Christian life. Christians are not concerned to do as they like; they are concerned only to help, even when the demand for help is discourteous, unreasonable and tyrannical. Christians will never resent or seek retaliation for any insult, however calculated and however deadly; Christians will never stand upon their legal rights or any other rights they may believe themselves to possess; Christians will never think of their right to do as they like, but always of their duty to be of help. The question is; how do we measure up to that?" (The New Daily Study Bible) "To endure for a year the bore who afflicts you for a week, to write a letter of kindness to the man who calls you dirty names; to offer gifts to the man who would steal from you - these are the hard things which Christ came to teach, and they are no more suited His time than they do ours. They suit only the heroes, the great men the saints, the holy men and women who will be the salt of the earth, the leaven in the mass, who will transform the earth. Put love into people who are not loveable and they will become loveable. Why is anyone loveable if it be not that God put His love into each of us." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) Prayer Starter
The hallmark of Christianity, Christian ethic, essence of Christ's teaching - Yes, that is what this passage is about. Help and guide me O Holy Spirit to To start with Jesus mentions the oldest forgive the way St. John Paul II forgave law - tit for tat. It was so established in his attacker. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
25
Tuesday 19th June 2018 1 Kings: 21/17-29 Psalm:50/3-6, 11, 16 (51/1-4, 11) Mathew:5/43-48 The First Proclamation of God’s Love Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Up! Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, in Samaria. .... You are to say this to him, "Yahweh says this: You have committed murder and now you usurp as well. For this -- and Yahweh says this -- in the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick your blood too." ' Ahab said to Elijah, 'So you have caught me, O my enemy!' Elijah answered, 'I have caught you! For your double dealing, and since you have done what is displeasing to Yahweh, I shall now bring disaster down on you; I shall sweep away your descendants and wipe out every manjack of the House of Ahab, fettered or free in Israel. I shall treat your House as I treated the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat... And indeed there never was anyone like Ahab for double dealing and for doing what is displeasing to Yahweh... When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put sackcloth next to his skin and fasted; he slept in the sackcloth; he walked with slow steps. Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I shall not bring the disaster in his days; I shall bring the disaster down on his House in his son's days.' Fix your gaze on Jesus What did our Lord reveal today to the faithful? ‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and
St. Romuald, Abbot pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you; ?That ye may
be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust’…..’Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’. Blessed Paul complains that he was sold under sin, ?as a poor captive against his will; but Ahab was willing, he sold himself to sin; of choice, and as his own act and deed, he loved the domain of sin. He believed that the fruit of sin was good for him and his! Jezebel his wife encouraged this belief and stirred him up to do wicked deeds. Ahab is reproved, and his sin set before his eyes, by Elijah. The condition of a man who has made the WORD of God his enemy is very miserable; and very desperate, who reckons the ministers of that WORD his enemies, because they confront him with the truth. God is here to turn this situation inside-out. S/He has crafted you as a creator, and is trying to teach us to create what is GOOD for ourselves; and for this, abiding in the commandments is a necessity. Listen again to our Lord and Master revealing the simple truth before the multitude before him. How sincere Ahab was in putting on the garb and guise of a penitent we do not know, yet God’s intent/orientation is clear; S/He is keen to give a second chance, and a third, and a fourth, ad infinitum in the here and now, so that we would grow in our consciousness, learn from our mistakes and get to know the wonder of abiding in His Love. Prayer Starter Holy Lord, we need to inculcate obedience within; to start believing the simple truth that abiding in Your commandments is good for us; and in fact will result in our experiencing the best for ourselves...that's Your Holy Will! Journey us towards this truth O Lord...!
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
26
Wednesday 20th June 2018 2 Kings:2/1, 6-14 Psalm: 30/20, 21, 24 (31/19-20, 23) Mathew:6/1-6, 16-18 The First Proclamation Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal ... Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you". So the two of them went on ..... When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing - yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you - if not, it will not. ....... Prayerful Awareness According to the above passage, even during the Old Testament period, righteous people have observed this secrecy without any such teachings. When Elisha wanted the power of the Spirit Elijah possessed he did not resort to the customary anointing or any such external sign but transferred it to Elisha without being seen by the fifty men of the company of prophets who were at some distance avoiding being praised by them. The Gospel Proclamation "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 ..... Prayerful Awareness Jesus has spoken of prayer, fasting
and alms-giving winding up His Sermon
on the Mount. He has warned the disci-
ples against performing their meritorious deeds to be seen by the people. The reference to pagans appears to include Scribes and Pharisees to whom He has referred as hypocrites who try to demonstrate their recital of lengthy prayers in His series of "woes" in Mathew 23/13-29. His request was for these activities to be performed in secret to be seen and heard only by the Heavenly Father who will reward accordingly. But by the performance of these acts of piety in public to be seen by the people, they will get their reward from the people by way of respect and praise. In that case there is no need for rewarding by God, because they have already got it from the people. It is also an indication of lack of faith in God who is not seen. Jesus was very strict about this need for secrecy in the acts of piety. He has gone to the extent of requiring the left hand not to know what is given as alms and to whom it is given by the right hand. Similarly the disciples are required to get into their inner room for personal prayers. When fasting not to put on an appearance indicative of that fact but to have the normal good appearance. Gaze on us It is very rarely the average Christians deviate from these norms prescribed by Jesus. But on the contrary our experience of our personal prayer, a word of God or an assurance received from God should be shared with others to encourage them to spend time with God in prayer Prayer Starter O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone! In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
27
Thursday 21st June 2018 Sirach:48/1-15 Psalm: 96/1-7 (97/1-7) Mathew:6/7-15
Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
The Gospel Proclamation Jesus said to his disciples:"In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." This is how you are to pray: 'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'"If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." Prayerful Awareness Jesus criticised persons whose prayer was a repetition of words like a magic formulae of words addressed to God to request to respond to their petitions and needs. Anyone who prays has to seek, in the first place, the Kingdom of God, much more than the personal interests. The acceptance of prayer by God does not depend on the repetition of words, but rather on the goodness of God who is Full of Love and Mercy, therefore the words should come from the bottom of our hearts as sons/daughters calling their Father who wants us good, as He knows what our needs, even before we ask Him. In the Prayer, Our Father, Jesus summarizes His teaching in seven petitions addressed to the Father. The first three refer to our relationship with God. The other four to do with the community relationship that we have with others.
The first words: “Our Father in Heaven,” “Abba”(Father), the name which Jesus used to address God. It expresses the intimacy that he has with God and manifests the relationship with God. This should be followed by all who have accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord - as Children of God. In the first part of the ‘Our Father‘ we ask to restore our relationship with God. The Name, the Kingdom and the Will. To do this Jesus asks (a) the sanctification of the Name revealed in Exodus on the occasion of the liberation from Egypt; (b) to ask for the coming of the Kingdom, expected by the people ; (c) to ask for the fulfillment of God’s Will, revealed in the Law which was in the center of the God’s Covenant. The Name, the Kingdom, the Law: are three axis taken from the Old Testament which express how our relationship with God should be. The three petitions indicate that it is necessary to live in intimacy with the Father, making His Name known, making Him loved, doing in such a way that, His Kingdom of love and of communion becomes a reality and that His Will may be done on earth as it is in Heaven. The balance four petitions are for the brothers - Bread, Forgiveness, Victory and for Liberty. In this part we ask to restore and renew the relationship between persons. These four petitions indicate how the structures of the community and of society should be transformed in such a way to a new way of fraternal living together, which can guarantee bread for all and that all the children of God may live with equal dignity with love to forgive each other under the protection of God the Father. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ my Saviour and my Lord, help me to understand and accept Your love for me and to love everyone else as You love me, to be able to forgive all who do wrong to me so that all wrong I commit also will be forgiven, and be guided by You until the end of the age, Thank You Jesus, Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
28
St. Paulinus of Nola, St.John Fisher & Thomas More, Martyrs 2 Kings:11/1-4,9-18,20 would be aimlessly groping in the Psalm:131/1-14, 17-18 dark. We should invoke the Holy Spirit (132/11-14, 17-18) Who is the true light to illuminate the path we tread on. We have to embrace Mathew: 6/19-23 the greatest treasure, Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel Proclamation Where are we heading hoarding "Do not store up for yourselves treasure and wealth by good means treasures on earth, where moth and or bad? Whether we like it or not rust consume and where thieves we have to part with them without break in and steal; but store up making proper use of them. We have for yourselves treasures in heaven, to be awake and prepare our souls for where neither moth nor rust con- our life in our heavenly home Jesus sumes and where thieves do not warns us not to lay treasure here on break in and steal. For where your earth Instead we should lay treasure in treasure is, there your heart will heaven. Jesus stresses that we should be also. get rich by investing in treasure that "The eye is the lamp of the body. truly lasts, not just for a life time but So, if your eye is healthy, your whole for all eternity. body will be full of light, but if your The Good News of today elaboeye is unhealthy, your whole body rates another great truth of the Kingwill be full of darkness. If then the dom. "The eye is the lamp of the light in you is darkness, how great body. So if your eye is healthy, your is the darkness! whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole Prayerful Awareness body will be full of darkness. If then The world we live in is tempo- the light in you is darkness, how rary. The eternal life begins after our great is the darkness!" If the lamp death. That is why death becomes of the body is the eye, isn't it God who the entrance to eternal life. What is lights up the whole life we live in? If important and fortunate is to become we turn to Jesus amidst all sufferings, victorious in this life and the life trials and tribulations, God will take beyond. This we inherit from the vic- away the darkness and His light will torious Resurrection of Jesus Christ. set us free. So let us pause for a while Are we aware of this great truth that and see whether we are far away from we have to encounter? God's all powerful Light which could Jesus came into this world to do take away the darkness from our life. the Will of God. His sole aim and Prayer Starter vision was to build the Kingdom of Dear Lord, I know that if I am God. We too should follow Jesus in contributing to build the Kingdom living without You, I will grope in the of God. Avoiding this responsibility dark and live with pain and suffering. would mean that we are building a Help me Lord to overcome such situworldly kingdom and in doing so we ations with Your Light. Friday 22nd June 2018
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
29
Saturday 23rd June 2018 2 Chronicless:24/17-25 you of little faith? Therefore do not Psalm: 88/4-5, 29-34 worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall (89/3-4,28-33) we wear?’ For after all these things Mathew: 6/24-34 the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these The First Proclamation things. But seek first the kingdom of ...... Then the Spirit of God came God and His righteousness, and all upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada these things shall be added to you. the priest, who stood above the peo- Therefore do not worry about tomorple, and said to them, Thus says God: row, for tomorrow will worry about ‘Why do you transgress the com- its own things. Sufficient for the day mandments of the Lord, so that you is its own trouble. cannot prosper? Because you have Prayerful Awareness forsaken the Lord, He also has forIn the Gospel Proclamation Jesus saken you. So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king implies that God must be undisputed they stoned him with stones in the master of our lives. We must always ask, What does God wish me to do? court of the house of the Lord. ..... We cannot sometimes say, I will do The Gospel Proclamation what God wishes me to do, and, at other No one can serve two masters; for times, say, I will do what I like. The either he will hate the one and love Christian has no time off from being the other, or else he will be loyal to the a Christian; there is no time when he one and despise the other. You cannot can relax his Christian standards, as if serve God and mammon. Therefore I he was off duty. Being a Christian is a say to you, do not worry about your full-time job. The ultimate ownership life, what you will eat or what you will of all things belongs to God. There is drink; nor about your body, what you nothing in this world of which a man will put on. Is not life more than food can say, this is mine. Of all things he and the body more than clothing? can only say, this belongs to God, and Look at the birds of the air, for they God has given me the use of it. If God neither sow nor reap nor gather into gave us life and gave us bodies surely barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds we can trust him to give us food and them. Are you not of more value than we can trust him for raiment to clothe they? Which of you by worrying can these bodies. Worry is essentially disadd one cubit to his stature? So why trust of God. Worry is characteristic of a do you worry about clothing? Con- heathen, and not of one who knows God sider the lilies of the field, how they Prayer starter grow: they neither toil nor spin; and Teach us Lord how to be content and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one not run after money as the world does. of these. Now if God so clothes the Help us to trust You and know that You grass of the field, which today is, and love us and know our needs. You hold tomorrow is thrown into the oven, our future so that we could seek Your will He not much more clothe you, O kingdom and Your righteousness. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
30
12th Sunday of Ordinary Time The Nativity of St. John the Baptist shall be glorified‌.It is not enough Isaiah:49/1-6 for you to be my servant, to restore Psalm: 138/1-3,13-15 (139/1-3,13-15) the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make Acts: 13/22-26 you the light of the nations so that Luke: 1/57-66, 80 my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Prayerful Awareness Introduction
Sunday 24th June 2018
Since a person chosen by God constantly acts according to the Will of God it is imperative for him to be in the continuous presence of the Lord. Moses the leader, Jeremiah the great prophet, minor prophets such as Jona and Amos in the Old Testament were compelled to appear before God persistently in responding to His Will. As it is evident, even St. John the Baptist whose birth we celebrate today forever walked in the Holiness of God in responding to his vocation. Similarly the greatness of St. John the Baptist lies on his attitude towards Jesus. He who courageously proclaimed "I am not worthy to undo the sandals on his feet" on another occasion was bold enough to condemn the sins of the King who was ruling the country showing that it is the duty of the prophet to proclaim the word of God at all times. Today as we celebrate his birth, let ask God for strength and courage to live in tune with our prophetic vocation received through Baptism. From the First Proclamation "The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother's womb he pronounced my name. He made my mouth a sharp sword‌.He said to me you are my servant in whom I
'Servant of God' was the title given to a person who stood for God, spoke and acted on His behalf. In Isaiah, we find four songs on the 'Servant of the Lord'.' Today's proclamation presents the word of the prophet as a sharp sword. For the word God incessantly proclaimed by him pierces the human heart. As the forerunner of the Lord, the main word pronounced by St. John the Baptist was "Repent." While this word happened to be a sharp sword piercing the heart of many we see how it pierced the hearts of rulers and nobles as well. From the Responsorial Psalm O Lord you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For it was you who formed my inward parts, you knit me together in my mother's womb From the Second Proclamation "When he had removed him, he made David the their king. In this testimony about him he said, 'I have found David, son of Jesse to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
31
a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals on his feet.'. ... The Gospel Acclamation As for you, little child, you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High. You shall go ahead of the Lord to prepare his ways before him. From the Gospel Proclamation "Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and rela tives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "No, he is to be called John'." They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then, will this child become?' For, indeed the hand of the Lord was with him. Our Sonship
of St. John the Baptist, considered the beacon of light in between the Old and the New Testament, let us listen to what it speaks to us through the Gospel Proclamation. Although the prophet was taken to fulfill the traditional rites and rituals prevalent then concerning the birth of a child, undoubtedly what took place there was an amazing experience to everybody present. They had to move beyond the prevailing traditions and conventional practices in order to experience the hand of God. That is in complying with the word of the angel, naming the child John. What we see here is the total adherence of Elizabeth and Zachariah to the revealed will of God. God unceasingly acts through the person who listens to His voice. While this astonishes everybody, signs of His mighty deeds are made visible in that particular person definitely leading others to a deeper experience of faith. This year we have been called to be in total adherence with the word and the will of the Lord. Though it may at times cause deep pain, the blessing it entails is sure to flow down to the entire nation without end. Prayer Starter I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. (Ps. 138/1-3)
On this Solemnity of the Nativity
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
32
Monday 25th June 2018
Feast of St.William of Monte Virgene, Abbot, Confessor
2 Kings: 17/5-8, 13-15, 18 Psalm: 59/3-5, 12-13 (60/1-3, 10-11 Mathew:7/1-5 St. William of Monte Virgene He was a native of Vercelli in Piedmont (Italy). While he was still a child, his parents died. At 14 he gave away all his inheritance and set out on a pilgrimage to Spain. Upon his return to Italy, he took up life as a hermit. When more and more men, attracted by his sanctity and his miracles, placed themselves under his direction, he founded a monastery for them in 1119. Later when some monks complained that he gave away far too much of their sustenance to the poor he left them. Under the munificent patronage of Roger I, King of Naples, he erected a number of monasteries. Died: 25th June 1142. The Gospel Proclamation
commandments and also be aware that it is He who alone can acquit or condemn. We also must not be indifferent to the truth or stand up to safeguard what we believe. It also means and reminds us that we should constantly have hope for reconciliation and refrain from condemnation favouring our attitudes. The divine judgement and the human - what a marvelous example we have in John 8/111, (The woman caught in adultery"). As He wrote on the ground the Scribes and the Pharisees had stones in their hands, ready to execute judgement. One would reach to his neighbour's hand, take out his stone, weigh both in his own hand to see which was the heavier, and give the lighter one back, that he might cast the heavier one at the woman. Some of these men had kept themselves from her vice because they had other vices. "There are many people who sin by pride, by avarice, by the craving for power, and think that they are virtuous, simply because these sins in modern society bear the note of respectability. The respectable sins are the more odious, for Our Lord said that they make men like "whitened sepulchers, outside clean, inside full of dead men's bones." The baser sins of the poor create public burdens, such as social service and prisons, and are frowned upon, but the respectable sins, such as corruption in high public office, disloyalty to country, teaching of evil in universities, are excused, ignored or even praised as virtues. Our Lord here implied that He even regarded the respectable sins as more odious than those which society reproved. He never condemned those whom society condemned, for they had already been condemned. But He did condemn those who sinned and who denied that they were sinners. (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) Prayer Starter
"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. ...Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? .... You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. Prayerful Awareness The past as well as the present are strewn with amazing misjudgements. People in the top rung of the social ladder and also in the bottom are equally responsible for these. Especially through the Gospel we are challenged to make right judgements concerning the situation, people around us and about our own selves. But do not our judgements have their limitations? "Do not judge others".. (Matthew 7:1). Help me Lord neither to break nor We are expected not to infringe God's to neglect Your Commandments. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
33
Tuesday 26th June 2018 2 Kings: 19/9-11,14-21 3-36 Psalm: 47/1-4, 10-11 (48/1-3, 9-10) Mathew:7/6, 12-14 The First Proclamation On hearing that Tirhakah king of Cush was on his way to attack him. Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 'Tell Hezekiah king of Judah this, "Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you with the promise.... Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers' hands and read it; he then went up to the Temple of Yahweh and spread it out before Yahweh. Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of Yahweh, 'Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, enthroned on the winged creatures, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the world, you made heaven and earth. Give ear, Yahweh, and listen.., Yahweh our God, save us from his clutches, I beg you, and let all the kingdoms of the world know that you alone are God, Yahweh.'.. Yahweh Sabaoth's jealous love will accomplish this. "This, then, is what Yahweh says about the king of Assyria: "He will not enter this city, will shoot no arrow at it, confront it with no shield, throw up no earthwork against it. By the road by which he came, by that he will return; he will not enter this city, declares Yahweh. I shall protect this city and save it for my sake and my servant David's sake." ' That same night the angel of Yahweh went out and struck down a hundred and eightyfive thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.
Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank you Lord for the Good News today...it is indeed heartening to hear your assurances that our enemies will not triumph over us. This is part of Your Holy Will! You are here for us; we understand this! Now, train us regarding the other part of Your Holy Will: to be here for You and Your kingdom! Hezekiah, the king of Judah on receiving the threatening message from Sennacherib, the king of Assyria turned to the Lord of the Hosts for succour. Man proposes, and God disposes. Sennacherib, whose host for enforcing his will on neighbouring nations numbering greater than 185,000 came to naught. Seemingly overwhelming forces gathered for the express purpose of subjugating The Other, laying to waste the Will of the Almighty (Kingdom of Love encompassing all Life) was made futile. This is the desire of the Creator God, and this is what came to be. Alleluia! Jesus our Lord cautioned his audience on these aspects. Valued things whether of material or immaterial origin should only be accorded to those who are able to appreciate it. As some are perennially inclined to read weakness in to kindness and to exploit the helping hand, Beware! Do not embrace, encourage or further these erroneous thoughts. We serve a Just Creator who rewards us according to what we choose; ie: We reap what we sow: our inner taste of life is a reflection of the thoughts and beliefs we choose. Thus does the Lord ask us to treat the Other as we would like to be treated ourselves. Shall we? Prayer Starter Dearest Lord, we understand a little bit more of Your Holy Will. Now do turn us anew so that we anchor ourselves on the rock of Your Living Word....
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
34
Wednesday 27th June 2018 St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop & Doctor 2 Kings:22/8-13;23/1-3 Psalm: 118/33-37, 40 (119/33-37, 40) Mathew:7/15-20 The Gospel Proclamation "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits." Prayerful Awareness According to this Gospel reading, Jesus invites us to be wide awake and also warns us on persons among us who are misleading others. Jesus warns us to be on our guard against false prophets who come to us in sheep's clothing, but underneath are wolves on the prowl. We could identify them by their actions and behaviour. Jesus differentiates the people as the ones who yield good fruit and the ones who yield bad fruit according to the faith they have towards Him. Those that yield good fruit are the ones who are faithful to God and in turn live in total dependence of the Lord while those that bear bad fruit are the ones who do not trust in God and live depending on Satan and the world motivated by the desires of the flesh. Jesus feels pity on these faithless people and speaks about their impending disaster. Jesus is the most gracious and the richest fruit produced by the ever loving Father God. Jesus' conversation is with the Holy Spirit and what He fulfilled
is nothing but the Will of God. Jesus was not guided by His own free will (ego) but the Holy Spirit. What Jesus proclaimed was seen by His life actions. It becomes not only a challenge to the people but also a loving consolation. Jesus sees the heart of each one of us and speaks of the root causes of our sins. Thus, Jesus makes us understand that bad fruit yielded by every tree should be purified by fire. My sonship Am I a tree bearing good fruit? Am I able to experience and give others the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as love, peace, happiness, patience and kindness or else am I being led by the sins of anger, pride, greed, hatred, laziness towards others. Let us give room to the Holy Spirit in order to show us the actions of our hidden sins, allowing all bad fruit to be purified giving way to be a tree of good fruit. This would eventually lead us to go on a journey in the Spirit. Jesus also says "The Holy Spirit helps you to recognize what sin and righteousness is". So to overcome deceivers we must place our faith in the words of our Blessed Lord. The first reading stresses the value of repentance to win the mercy of God. The reading says about King Josiah who went to the house of God to read the book of the Law given to him by the high priest and repented and made a covenant promising to follow the Lord and to keep His Commandments and Laws. Prayer Starter Help us Lord to examine our conscience and repent sincerely and make a covenant promising to follow You and Your Commandments and Laws. We praise You for seeing all that is done in secret and rewarding us.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
35
Thursday 28th June 2018
St. Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr
2 Kings:24/8-17 Psalm: 78/1-5,8-9 (79/1-5,8-9) Mathew:7/21-29
The First Proclamation Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. ... He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father had done. At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it, and Nebuchadnezzar himself came up to the city while his officers were besieging it..... As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left. Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land. The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans. He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.
The Gospel Proclamation
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name per-
form many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Prayerful Awareness
There is only one way in which a man's sincerity can be proved, and that is by his practice. Fine words can never be a substitute for fine deeds. There is only one proof of love, and that proof is obedience. Jesus demands our implicit obedience. Only a house whose foundations are firm and sure, can withstand the storm. Jesus demands two things from us. He demands that men should listen and should put into practice what they learned. Knowledge only becomes relevant when it is translated into action.
Prayer Starter
Dear Heavenly Father, we have listened and understood the Word and we want to put it to practice and in so doing we fail You. Grant us the grace to be obedient to Your Holy Will, something we find very difficult to do because we are inherently disobedient. We ask this in the name of Your beloved Son and our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
36
Tuesday 29th June 2018 Acts:12/1-11 Psalm:33/2-9 (34/1-8) 2 Timothy:4/6-8,17-18 Mathew:16/13-19 The Gospel Proclamation Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippe, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, |"Blessed are you Simon! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Gaze at Jesus When Jesus asks the disciples to recognize Him, Peter recognizes Him as Christ or the Hebrew synonym, Messiah, 'Presence of God with us' Peter comes to a complete understanding of this when he received the Holy Spirit after Lord's Resurrection. Paul who encountered the Risen Christ had this experience throughout his ministry. The first reading describes Paul's experience in the prison. The angel of the Lord brought God's word to Paul and the light which led him out of the
Sts. Peter & Paul, Apostles
prison cell. In the second reading he writes to Timothy with conviction, "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. ". 2 Thessalonians 1:16-18 says to us, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Through Baptism, we have received the Holy Spirit who guides us to Jesus who is alive and with us. Prayerful Awareness Become aware of the presence of Jesus. 1) Through one another 2) In creation which came into being with the Word of God, therefore, Jesus' presence in the creation 3) In the Eucharist 4) In His forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation 5) Words of knowledge the Holy Spirit gives us during silent prayer or during community praise and worship 6) Action (Evangelization) More we become aware of the living presence of Jesus with us; we could also take the role of Sts. Peter and Paul to proclaim the Good News of God. Prayer Starter Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came to be, he commanded, and it stood firm. (Ps. 32/8, 9)
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"
37
Wednesday 30th June 2018 Lamentations:2/2, 10-14, 18-19 Psalm:73/1-7, 20-21 (74/1-7,20-21 Mathew:8/5-17 Gospel Proclamation When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him."The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven, but the children of the Kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." And Jesus said to the centurion, "You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you." And at that very hour his servant was healed. Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his motherin-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him. When it was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick, to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah
the prophet: "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases Prayerful Awareness The centurion may not have expected such an immediate, and generous gesture to say “I will come and cure him”. It is apparent that the centurion trusted and believed that Jesus can heal and also had faith that Jesus can heal even by word without having to come, to say "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” . Jesus saw the faith this man had, and said "You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you." In Mathew 7:7, Lord said “Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." He then continues and said, “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” (Mathew 7:11) All this shows that if our intentions are good, God will always give good things to those who ask Him. Like the centurion we have the opportunity to be transformed with each encounter with Christ, whether it is through prayer or meditation, through interactions in our daily lives, or through receiving Him in the Eucharist. The First Reading is on the downfall of the Jewish nation where prophets had made false and specious visions; They did not show the guilt, to avert the fate. Prayer Starter Let us pray that we approach Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with the same humility and faith the centurion had. Let us invite Jesus into our hearts and our homes, and allow Him to transform us and work miracles in our own lives. Thank You, Jesus, Amen .
"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire and A Blessing"
Programs broadcast through ‘Divesi Handa’ Time
Programme
12 midnight
Font of ‘Good News’
Time
Programme
12.15 pm
Holy Spirit Meditation & Litany
01.00 pm
Gregorian Meditation
2.oo am Walk in the Spirit (English)
02.30 pm
Walk in the Spirit (English)
2.30 am Walk in the Spirit (Tamil)
03.00 pm
Year with the Saints
3.00 am Walk in the Spirit (Sinhala)
03.30 pm
Walk in the Spirit (Tamil)
3.30 am Year with the Saints
04.00 pm
‘My Hour’
4.00 am ‘My Hour’
05.00 pm
‘Sudarshanaya’
5.00 am ‘Font of ‘Good News’
06.00 pm
Rosary
6.15 am Pubudu Rosary
07.00 pm
Font of ‘Good News’
7.00 am ‘My Hour’
08.00 pm
Walk in the Spirit (Sinhala)
1.00 am
‘Sudarshanaya’
8.00 am ‘Walk in the Spirit’ (Sinhala) 09.00 pm
Year with the Saints
8.30 am ‘Walk in the Spirit’ (Tamil)
Font of ‘Good News’
09.30 pm
9.00 am ‘Walk in the Spirit’ (English) 11.00 pm 9.30 am Year with the Saints 10.30 am Walk in the Spirit (Sinhala)
Walk in the Spirit (English)
Walk in the Spirit Application for obtaining the publication by post. Name: ..................................................................................................... To be sent to (Address) .......................................................................... ...................................................................................... For six/twelve months from ................. 20 till .............20 Money Order/Cheque for Rs. ............. is sent herewith. Date: ............... .................................. Signature
“Walk in the Spirit” Publication Including postage - For six months Rs. 255/= For 12 months Rs. 510/= Money Orders/Cheques to be drawn only in favour of “Kithudana Pubuduwa” payable at (Post Office) Walpola (W.P.) Pubudu Headquarters - Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Tel. No. 011-2230300, 011-5764123 Fax No. 011-2231490 E-Mail: office@pubuduwa.org Web: www.pubuduwa.org Press: Pubudu Press, 452, National Basilica Avenue, Ragama Tel: 011-5288343/344 Fax :011-2958439 E-Mail: press@pubuduwa.org Distribution: Pubudu Publication & Distribution Service Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama. Tel: 011-2230300, 011-2231490, 011-5764123 Places from which the Walk in the Spirit publication can be obtained: Kithu Dana Pubuduwa, 7th Floor, Paul VI Centre, Malwatte Road, Colombo 11. 011-2325132 / 011-5736240 Sri Ramyaramaya, Palakudawa, Talawila Church 032-3325688 / 032-5678645 Sri Christudharmaramaya, Deduru Oya, Manuwangama, Chilaw 032-2221979 / 032-5675585 Pubudu Nivasa, Dankotuwa 031-3617917 Pubudu Nivasa, Negombo 031-2222256 / 031-5675763 Christu Centre, Ja-Ela 011-2243301 / 011-5736834 Cost: Rs. 20/=
40
"Your Word, Your Will, a Fire and a Blessing"