Walk in the Spirit September 2018

WALK IN THE SPIRIT September 2018 Volume 09 Issue 16

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER September 2018 “The vast abyss of sin between the God of holiness and man” Only love – God’s Love – Holy Love that can bridge the gap between the horror of sin and the immense Purity and Beauty of God. God does it. The Son’s Incarnation!

Let me remain in the presence of the mystery of a God who loves the weakness of the sinner. A love that becomes incarnate.

A God who accepts and embraces ‘death’, the radical weakness of man in his human nature.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

4

Saturday 1st September 2018 1 Corinthians:1/26-31 Psalm:33/12-13,18-21) Mathew: 25/14-30 The First Proclamation Please read 1 Corinthians 1/26-31 prayerfully.

The Gospel Proclamation For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them, to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master of those salves came and settled accounts with them. .... Well done, good and trustworthy slave, you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master. ..... Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, i knew that you were a harsh men, .... so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours. But his master replied, "You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?

Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers.... For to al those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing even what they have will be taken away.....

Prayerful Awareness

talents, He referred to the abilities given

by God to each one of us to build the Kingdom of God This parable of talents concerns three servants. This implies that we are in a state of work and business and shows a necessity of preparation. We are expected to do our best for the redemption of our own souls and the good of others for the greater glory of God. God has given each one of us His graces and talents according to our suitability but according to His greatness. They are given to us according to requirements. But our weakness is that we try to compare our talents with those of others.

We must recognize and discover what our talents are. What is most important is using these talents to the maxim for the greater glory of God and the benefit of my brethren. It is the duty of a man to render himself beneficial to those around him.

In the parable, two of the servants did well. They were diligent and faithful.

They went and traded and made good returns of it. The servant who hid his talent represents a lazy or indifferent person who considers faith as a family inheritance or initiative that would be helpful for everyone.

God has given us many talents to be used for the good of others and whenever I accept responsibility without fear or criticism or failure, He will entrust me with more because there are many who do not use their talents. I know that if I do not perform the expected responsibilities, God will take away from me the talent and give it to another person. So I must make sure that that I do everything however little it may be, God will establish me with plenty.

Prayer Starter

Happy is the man whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as In the parable when Jesus spoke of his heritage.(Ps. 33/12)

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

5

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday 2nd September 2018 Ps Wk II Deuteronomy:4/1-2,6,8 the Pentateuch of the Old Testament is defined as the 'Second Law,' or Psalm: 14/2-5

the 'Secondary Law.' Found in it is a

(15/1-5) modification of the most ancient laws James:1/17-18,21-22,27 of Israelites contained in the book of Mark:7/1-8,14-15,21-23 Exodus from Chapter 20 verse 22 to Chapter 23 Verse 19 as fitting to the prevalent era. Then the people of the Introduction surrounding towns will exclaim, 'No Any country or nation is endowed other people is as wise and prudent with values, laws and regulations as as this great nation.' They possessed well as cultural attributes that express an identity that influenced their inner one's identity while the Constitution is life style rather than the outer and the considered the fundamental law of a secret was the close relationship they country. The significance of Israelites, had with the Lord. the chosen people of God was that they Let us enter into prayer were dependent on the laws, rules and Let us enter into prayer with Psalm regulations of manifesting their rela- 15:1-5 (The responsorial psalm for totionship with God along with the life day). The just will live in the presence style and behavior inherent to them. of the Lord.

Similar to that of Christ if the life of From the Gospel a Christian becomes a light, salt and a Proclamation driving force in the prevailing society, one naturally tends to look into the "….Pharisees and scribes asked heart of it which is made quite obvious him, 'Why do your disciples not reeven in the proclamations of today. spect the tradition of the elders but 'You must do what the word tells eat their food with unclean hands? you, and not just listen to it…' (James He answered, 'It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly proph1:22). esied in this passage of scripture: The First Proclamation 'This people honours me only with Moses said to the people: 'Now lip-service, while their hearts are far Israel, take notice of the laws and from me. The worship they offer me customs that I teach you today, and is worthless, the doctrines they teach observe them, ……You must add are only human regulations…." nothing to what I command you, and Prayerful Awareness take nothing from it, but keep the By the time of Jesus, religious commandments of the Lord your God leaders had led the people to observe just as I lay them down for you. Keep them, observe them, and they will and 618 laws by way of following the they will demonstrate to the peoples Ten Commandments. Thus religious observance was not a means of expeyour wisdom and understanding…. riencing the redemptive power through Prayerful Awareness a God encounter but a burden for Deuteronomy considered a book in them. Setting aside the word of God

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

6

and his will and teaching man-made Second Proclamation traditions as true religion people were Every generous act of giving, directed towards futile rites and rituwith every perfect gift, is from above, als. Recalling the words of Isaiah (Is. coming down from the Father of 29:18) the Lord says, 'You put aside the commandment of God to cling to lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In human traditions' (Mark 7:8). fulfillment of his own purpose he A life experience: gave us birth by the word of truth, His parents very much involved in so that we would become a kind of a religious movement spent most of first fruits of his creatures. their time on it. Some days he found Therefore rid yourselves of all nothing to eat on his return home from sordidness and rank growth of wickschool. He recalls with gratitude how edness and welcome with meekness a non-Christian mother in the neigh- the implanted word that has the bor-hood provided him with meals. power of save your souls. But be When he was preparing for his Ad- doers of the word and not merely vanced Level examination he got the hearers who deceive themselves. opportunity to spend a few days with a Religion that is pure and undefriend of attached to Pubuduwa. On the filed before God the Father is this: day of fasting and praying for the nato care for orphans and widows in tion, the mother prepared all his meals their distress, and to keep oneself and went out again to collect items for unstained by the world. the displaced in camps saying, 'You Prayerful Awareness take your meals son, on our return we shall prepare your dinner.' Sharing this It is a letter addressing the people of incident with me what he said was, God all over the world on very practical the Christian faith subdued in him Christian values. As an aid to meditate due to the home environment of his on the verses presented today it would childhood had been revived through be appropriate to read the whole letter this experience and as a result he still consisting of five chapters. We who continues to walk with the Lord. have stepped into a new era of renewal

Prayerful Awareness in the Spirit are eager to participate Today is the day to intercede for daily in worship, praise and healing our nation. In our country supposed to services as well as to listen to ever new be a socialist democratic republic – the sermons. St. James advises us to be 'dofundamental institutions - Executive, ers of the word, and not hearers only.'

Constitutional and Tribunal stand Prayer Starter utterly corrupted. Hatred and compeAbba Father, we thank You for the tition erupted due to party politics have succeeded in producing leaders insti- vocation we have received to listen gating division in an attempt for power to Your word, ponder on it and live without any regard for the people or accordingly. Inflame us with the fire the country as such. An undisciplined of Your Spirit and lead us to develop society has emerged as a result of the common values for the redemption of common law being inactive. Therefore our society, to safeguard and improve let us enter into prayer with deep af- nature, our common home and to respect each other. fection for the country.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing!"

7

Monday 3rd September 2018 1 Corinthians:2/1-5 Psalm: 118/97-102 (119/97-102) Luke: 4/16-30 The Gospel Proclamation Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. ... “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord”. ... He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke highly of him .... They also asked, "Is this not the son of Joseph?" He said to them, "Surely you will quote me this proverb, 'Physician, cure yourself,' and say, 'Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'" And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. ... " When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. ...

Prayerful Awareness The passage that Jesus read (Isaiah 61 : 1), gave an image of events people of Galilee experienced at that time, and the Word was the Mission of Jesus

St. Gregory the Great himself. Having read, He said “This text is being fulfilled today even while you are listening!”. People could not believe His Words as they knew Him as son of Joseph, the Carpenter, an ordinary person like any one of them.

Therefore they could not accept Him even as a prophet although Jesus spoke with Divine Grace. This is why Jesus said “no prophet is accepted in his own native place”, people rejected them and had no faith, and due to this they could not heal any of the sick. Hearing this people wanted to kill Jesus by pushing Him down the hill. Jesus knew that was not God’s Will and escaped in the midst of the crowd. Do we accept His Word, All His Teachings and All His Commandments given to us, to Change and Raise our lives and finally receive Salvation to have eternal life with Him. We are called to do His Will, “Go in to the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), to be His Witnesses to Guide others to live as Children of God led by the Holy Spirit ( Rom. 8 : 14),and receive His Blessings as stated in Rom. 8 : 28 .

First Reading on St. Paul’s letter 1 Cor. 2: 1-5 tells us that we need not have superior wisdom or knowledge with us to proclaim the Word of God, except that we know Jesus Christ and him crucified to receive salvation for our souls, as a demonstration of the Spirit and power so that our Faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, we pray, for You to Guide us in to the correct path to follow All Teachings of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Kindle in our hearts the Fire of Your Love to share the Gospel Word with others as our share of work, and Purify us to receive Salvation to be with our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

8

Tuesday 4th September 2018 1 Corinthians:2/10-16 Psalm:144/8-14

(145/8-14) Luke: 4/31-37 The Gospel Proclamation "‌In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice, 'Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? ‌.

I know who you are: the Holy One of God.' But Jesus said sharply, "Be quiet! Come out of him!' And the devil went out of him without hurting him at all."

Prayerful Awareness O Holy Spirit, revealing the Lord to us is in Your power. Baptism of Jesus at river Jordan was a very significant moment second only to His crucifixion on Calvary. No sooner than He who was without sin came out after being fully immersed in the river, the heavens were opened. 'You are my beloved Son." Thus revealed His identity manifested as an immense power throughout His life.

During the three year tenure of His public life, in every life condition he was faced with he bore within him the great treasure of this 'divine son-ship,' which enabled him to meet with every acceptance and rejection, applause and condemnation with equal dignity. At times he said, 'The Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me' (John 5:37). Hence, He did not need any other person to bear witness to him. Thus, as presented in the Gospel today, Lord Jesus who always discerns in the Spirit commands the unclean spirits with mighty power and majesty.

Towards Self "What person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts except the Spirit of God' (1 Cor. 2:11).

My body is built up with the food I take in while my mind is built up with the thoughts I entertain. And, my spirituality will be built up with what I believe in. Neither my friends nor my parents really know who I am but my spirit. So, am I aware of the person who bears witness to me along with my spirit.

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of son-ship.

When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God." Thus, I too am a child of God who has been called to follow Christ. Therefore, I too shall claim the great treasure of divine son-ship that manifested itself as a great power in every event of His life. In this life transient I cannot simply be bloated by human applause, exaltation and praise. Neither can I be bent down like a reed when faced with rejection, neglect, condemnation and insult.

If I am mindful of the Holy Spirit, the generous gift of God, He would never allow such behaviour. I have the great dignity: Though a weak human being I possess the joyful dignity of being a child of God. Prayer Starter I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you, the one who gives victory to kings, who rescues his servant David. Rescue me from the cruel sword, and deliver me from the hand of aliens, whose mouths speak lies, and whose right hands are false. (Ps. 144/9-11)

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

9

Wednesday 5th September 2018 too, because that is what I was sent 1 Corinthians:3/1-9 Psalm:33/12-15, 20-21 to do.'....

Prayerful Awareness (32/12-15,20-21) Luke: 4/38-44 In today’s Proclamations we see evidence of the Holy Spirit leading the lives of our Lord Jesus Christ and the The First Proclamation Apostle Paul.

And so, brothers, I was not able Those led by the Holy Spirit are to talk to you as spiritual people; children of God (Romans 8:14) and I had to talk to you as people still living by your natural inclinations, can experience gifts (1 Corinthians 12: still infants in Christ; …….As long 4-11) and fruits (Galatians 5:22-26) of as there are jealousy and rivalry the Spirit. In the first Proclamation St. among you, that surely means that Paul tells the people of Corinth that you are still living by your natural they are still operating at a mere human inclinations and by merely human level. He on the other hand demonprinciples. While there is one that strates he is led by the Holy Spirit by says, 'I belong to Paul' and another giving glory to God and stating those that says, 'I belong to Apollos' are who do God’s Work are God’s farm, God’s building! That we can only sow you not being only too human?... and water, but life and growth comes The Gospel Proclamation from God! In the Gospel Proclamation Leaving the synagogue he went we see our Lord Jesus Christ healing to Simon's house. Now Simon's the sick, giving glory to God, and being mother-in-law was in the grip of a ‘fired’ by the Spirit to keep moving to high fever and they asked him to spread the Good News as per the Fado something for her. Standing over ther’s Will revealed to Him during the her he rebuked the fever and it left time spent communing with His Abba her. And she immediately got up and Father (His personal prayer time)! began to serve them.

Prayer Starter At sunset all those who had Happy is the nation whose God friends suffering from diseases of is the Lord, the people whom he has one kind or another brought them chosen as his heritage. The Lord looks to him, and laying his hands on each down from heaven; he sees all humanhe cured them. .... kind. From where he sits enthroned When daylight came he left the he watches all the inhabitants of the house and made his way to a lonely earth - he who fashions the hearts of place. The crowds went to look for them all, and observes all their deeds. him, and when they had caught up Our soul waits for the Lord; he with him they wanted to prevent him is our help and shield. Our heart is leaving them, but he answered, 'I glad in him, because we trust in his must proclaim the good news of the holy name. kingdom of God to the other towns

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

10

Thursday 6th September 2018 1 Corinthians:3/18-23 Psalm:23/1-6 (24/1-6) Luke: 5/1-11 St. Eleutherius : He is known for his simplicity and spirit of compunction. He was chosen Abbot of St. Mary’s near Spoleto, Italy.

He was favored by God with the gift of miracles. Ones when lodging at a convent of nuns he was asked to take over the care of a boy who was troubled every night by an Evil spirit. Eutherius did so and for long nothing untoward happen to the lad, prompting the Abbot to say, “Since the child is among the servants of God, the Devil does not approach him.” There upon the devil again tormented the child.

The Abbot, realizing his folly, humbly confessed his fault, with the whole community, fasted and prayed till the young lad was again freed from the tyranny of the friend. Died in St. Andrew’s monastery in Rome, about the year 585.

Gospel Proclamation Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, ... he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; ... He got into one of the boats, one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore, and he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, “Master we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets, when they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. .... But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man”! ... Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now

St. Eleutherius

on you will be catching people." ... they left everything and followed Him. Prayerful Awareness Why St. Peter’s boat when there were other boats? Look at the incident with eyes of faith. From Peter’s boat in the Lake of Galilee the Incarnate Word spoke and He speaks from Peter’s chair in Rome. When Peter, the experienced fisherman was told to cast the net to catch fish by Jesus, the carpenter, he did not shirk but obeyed without questioning.

The request to go to deep water - yes, we are expected not to be satisfied with mediocrity. With all the talents He has given us we are expected to give a positive reply to His request and let miracles happen.

We may have reasons or excuses for not letting down our nets. Jesus knows everything and He won’t take “no” for an answer. Why? He knows the in and out of ourselves and our capabilities. He empowers us to meet the challenge through the Holy Spirit. When Peter, through unquestioning obedience, cast the net the catch was a marvelous one Jesus the Lord of abundance. “ Jesus feeds five thousand men.” (Mathew. 14:13-21) This miracle is so important that it is mentioned by all four evangelists - (Mk. 14:13-21; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-14). When Jesus gives He really gives. His generosity knows no boundaries. This miracle had a tremendous impression on Peter as it touched his inner being. The reason being that it touched the very area Peter himself was a specialist - fishing. What a declaration by Peter, “Go away from me, Lord! for I am a sinful man.” There is the future victory over sin through faith and repentance.

And all these in His name. Jesus' saying “….catching people” had added meaning to their apostolic mission.

Prayer Starter Help us always to give a positive answer to Your call.

Amen.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

11

Friday 7th September 2018 1 Corinthians:4/1-5 Psalm:36/3-6,27-28, 39-40 (37/3-6,27-28,39-40) Luke: 5/33-39 The First Proclamation People should think of us as Christ's servants, stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God. In such a matter, what is expected of stewards is that each one should be found trustworthy. It is of no importance to me how you or any other human court may judge me: I will not even be the judge of my own self. It is true that my conscience does not reproach me, but that is not enough to justify me: it is the Lord who is my judge. For that reason, do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes; he will bring to light everything that is hidden in darkness and reveal the designs of all hearts. Then everyone will receive from God the appropriate commendation.

Gaze on Jesus Lord, search within and make me aware of the roots of sin that block me from experiencing the solace You offer...

The Apostles are but servants of Christ, yet are not to be undervalued.

They have a great trust, and an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges; on the other-hand, judging ourselves as good, or justifying ourselves, will also not prove us safe nor happy. We really do not know ourselves all that well! Our own judgement is not to be depended upon as to our faithful-

ness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men’s secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts.

Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men, and there-again, it is the heartthe inner motives-the inner workings which will be judged; not the outer manifestation thereof which could be interpreted as you please!

Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels, the ego- our false self manifesting. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents, are there for his purposes- discoverable by diligent searching and listening.

I continue to have a difficult time relating to my younger son who continues to misbehave and neglect his growing up work, choosing instead to stay with a diffused attention, more focused on passing frivolities. Just observing the harm he is doing to himself eats away at my inside, and I slowly loose my cool. The Holy Spirit awakens me as to what really happens; my getting to a judgement mode- projecting my fears in an anticipation of what could be! Once I came to my senses, and realize that a spirit of fear controls me, founded on my lack of trust in the workings of the Almighty who uses even our sin to turn everything for our good, the pressure I experience dissipates. Calmly, I help the child to turn to higher ways‌.

Prayer Starter Search me O Lord, find in me the errors displeasing to You, and awaken me thereto....

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

12

Saturday 8th September 2018 Micah:5/1-4 OR Romans:8/28-30 Psalm:12/5-6 (13/5-6) Matthew:1/1-16,18-23 OR 1/18-23 The Gospel Proclamation ......Abraham was the father of Isaac and Isaac the father of Jacob and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadah, and Aminadah the father of Nahshon ....

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet. "Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." which means "God is with us."

Prayerful Awareness

The Nativity of the Bl. Virgin Mary had predicted, Jesus' kith did not go unnoticed. Presenting this genealogy was one of the most interesting ways that Mathew could begin a book for a Jewish audience. Because a person's FAMILY LINE proved his or her standing as one of God's CHOSEN people. This is the FIRST of many proofs recorded by Mathew to show that JESUS IS THE MESSIAH and WAS and IS the King of all the earth!

Jesus entered human history when the land of Palestine was controlled by Rome, and considered an insignificant outpost of the vast and mighty Roman Empire. The presence of Roman soldiers in Israel gave the Jews MILITARY peace, but at the price of oppression, slavery, injustice and immorality. Into this kind of world came the promised MESSIAH. The ancestors of Jesus varied considerably in PERSONALITY, SPIRITUALITY and EXPERIENCE. Some were HEROES OF FAITH, like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth and David. Some had SHADY reputations like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary and others were EVIL like Manassah and Abijar. God's worth in history is NOT limited by human failures or SINS and HE works through ordinary people. Just as God used ALL kinds of people to bring His Son into the world, He uses all kinds to accomplish His Will. And God wants to use us too.

Because Mary was a VIRGIN when she became pregnant, Mathew lists Joseph only as the HUSBAND of Mary, NOT the Father of Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph were direct descendants of King David.

Prayer Starter

Mathew opens his gospel with a Jesus is the Christ, the King of kings genealogy to prove that Jesus is the and Lord of lords. Help us O Lord to descendant of both King David and make Jesus the Lord of our lives!

Abraham. Just as the Old Testament

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

13

Sunday 9th September 2018 Isaiah:35/4-7 Psalm:145/6-10 (146/7-10) James: 2/1-5 Mark:7/31-37

Introduction The Entrance Antiphon for today reads thus: "Lord, you are just, and the judgments you make are right.

Show mercy when you judge me, your servant." Mind you, these sentiments are expressed in a time period spanning across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. The experience of the "image and likeness"? or "the nature" of Yahweh-God evolved over a long period of time for the Israeli people. They interpreted their experience in history as a people as a direct consequence of Yahweh being punitive, judgmental and severe on their infidelity. But at the depth of their hearts they were firm in their belief that Yahweh acted out of love and mercy for them.

Let us yearn and thirst for this wonderful experience that the chosen people have bequeathed to us.

Let us read the proclamations for today which reiterate the faith of the chosen people (first proclamation), is confirmed and proven by Jesus (Gospel proclamation) and invites us to be the channels of God's merciful LOVE (Second Proclamation).

The First Proclamation Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!~ Here is y our God; he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Ps Wk III of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the dumb will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; the abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.

Prayerful Awareness Let us bring into play the gift of imagination given by God to visualize the drama that the prophet advises his listeners to envisage. What does the prophet promise would take place when God comes into the midst of us? It is a promise given to reverse the irreversible. The blind have their sight restored . So does the deaf begin to hear, the dumb speak, the lame leap. Not only do men with disability benefit; the desert, the dry and arid land get water through springs and streams. Did the chosen people really believe in these promises being fulfilled? If so, how did it affect their life-style?

More importantly let us find out how Jesus the Son of God made man contend with the above prophesies.

Reading the Gospel proclamation clears all doubt as to how Jesus expected God His Father to act through Him in fulfilling the prophesies.

The Gospel Proclamation Again he left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him "Ephphatha!" (that

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

14

is, "Be opened!") And immediately the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, "He has done all things well.

He makes the deaf hear and (the) mute speak."

Gaze at Jesus Noticeably the healing miracle described in today's Gospel is different to those works done by Jesus up to that time. The trouble taken and the meticulous process followed by Jesus is quite unlike in the earlier occasions.

What was going through His human mind? Why could He not just say: "be healed" and be done with it?

I wonder whether Jesus desired to assure Himself that it would be nothing less than His faith in His Abba that would bring about the healing.

Would that have been why He took the deaf mute away from the crowd and proceeded to touch him in the places where the problem was, prayed with deep love and emotion (groaned) and then uttered the word "Ephphatha" in faith? Could it not be said that this miracle was for the benefit of Jesus the true Man. Like for you and me ordinary human beings, Jesus had nothing other than faith to pray for the healing love of God to be showered upon the sick.

(Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, did not could equality with God something to be grasped, that he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being. - Philippians 2:5-7) Being poor, powerless and of low estate Jesus befriended the poor and feeble. He willed that the love of His

Father flow through Him to those who had no other help. It is this Jesus who invites us "Come follow Me".

The Second Proclamation My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers, did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

Our sonship We who call ourselves Christ's faithful are called upon to personify Him in whatever way we could. The poor are the proxies of Christ. It is our belief that Christ is incarnate in them.

Jesus said :"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

It is indeed unfortunate that we continue to consider those who are rich and powerful as God's favorites rather than the poor as Jesus continues to uphold as the truth. To comprehend the topsy-turvy reality that Jesus presents, a new perception must be acquired. That we receive as a gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of wisdom. So let us pray.

Prayer Starter Come Holy Spirit I need Thee, come sweet Spirit I pray!

Come as the wisdom .....

Come as new sight .....

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing!"

15

Monday 10th September 2018 1 Corinthians:5/1-8 Psalm: 5/5-7, 12

(5/4-6, 12) Luke: 6/6-11

The First Proclamation ... Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

The Gospel Proclamation On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" After looking around at all of them, he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Prayerful Awareness

cure a man with a shriveled hand. As it’s the Sabbath day, Jesus would be breaking the law “of God” if he cures this man. Yet, even while knowing that this is a trap, Jesus fearlessly cures the man.

Healing was a main part of Jesus’ ministry. He was overflowing with compassion, mercy and love towards other fellow human beings. Jesus does not seem to exert much effort when healing the sick. There is no long-winded praying or exerting a high level of concentration or a repetition of words forcing his mind to believe. He does not seem to be using mental imagery or any type of high level of mental activity. He does not keep or use any objects of power to put on people to cure them. Healing just seems to flow naturally from Him, just like love, compassion and mercy.

Unlike many of us, Jesus had an unmoving conviction of His true identity; that He truly was the Son of God. Jesus also told us that through Him, we are also children of God. Yet, no matter how many times we have heard this or said this, how many of us, if any, truly live this truth? What would be different if we in fact did truly live this truth?

Please note that it is not said whether we “believe” this, because it’s easy to convince ourselves of many types of beliefs. In fact, on the level of the mind, we have many convictions of who we truly are: “I am a good person, I am an honest person, I am a good Catholic” etc. But the truth of who we are is beyond the mind and the ego. The mind is not capable of understanding who we are or who God is; for this to happen we need to transcend the mind and be transformed.

Prayer Starter

For You bless the righteous, O Lord; In today’s reading of Luke, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you cover them with favor as with a are waiting intently to see if Jesus would shield. (Ps. 5/12)

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

16

Tuesday 11th September 2018 1 Corinthians:6/1-11 Psalm: 149/1-6, 9 Luke: 6/12-19 The First Proclamation When any of you has a grievance against another, do not dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints?

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels - to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church?

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer and before unbelievers at that?......

Gospel Proclamation Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them whom he also named apostles: .....

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. ...

And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Prayerful Awareness The Gospel writers note that before every important event in Jesus' life, He took time to go off by Himself and

PRAY. This time Jesus was preparing to choose His inner circle, the twelve disciples. In the book of ACTS, they are called APOSTLES (messengers).

These started the Christian Church.

Jesus selected 'ORDINARY' men with a mixture of backgrounds and personalities. TODAY, too God calls 'ordinary' people together to BUILD His Church; teach salvation's message and serve others out of LOVE. Alone we may feel unqualified to serve Christ effectively, but TOGETHER we make up a group strong enough to serve God in any way.\The Apostles are not always names/listed by the same names. Peter is sometimes called Simon or Cephas. Mathew is also known as Levi, Bartholomeus is thought to be the same person as Nathanael (John 1:45). Judas the son of James is also called Thadaeus.

A great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem from the coast of Tyre and Sidon came to HEAR Him and to be HEALED when the word of Jesus' healing power spread. Crowds gathered just to TOUCH Him. For some, He had become a symbol of a lucky charm, or a magician. Instead of desiring God's PARDON and LOVE, they only wanted physical healing or a chance to SEE spectacular events.

Some still see God as a cosmic magician and consider PRAYER as a way to get God to do His TRICKS. God is NOT a magician. He is the MASTER. Prayer is a way to put ourselves under His CONTROL. Prayer Starter Lord, help us to make sure that all our important decisions are grounded in PRAYER, to follow Jesus' way and take time for personal contact with God.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

17

Wednesday 12th September 2018 1 Corinthians:7/25-31 Psalm:44/11-12,14-17 45/10-11,13-16 Luke:6/20-26 OR Galatians:4/4-7 OR Ephesians:1/3-6 Psalm: Luke:1/46-55 Luke: 1/39-47 The First Proclamation .... Well then, because of the stress which is weighing upon us, the right thing seems to be this: it is good for people to stay as they are. If you are joined to a wife, do not seek to be released; if you are freed of a wife, do not look for a wife. However, if you do get married, that is not a sin, and it is not sinful for a virgin to enter upon marriage. .... Because this world as we know it is passing away.

The Gospel Proclamation Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said: How blessed are you who are poor: the kingdom of God is yours.

‘Blessed are you who are hungry now: you shall have your fill. Blessed are you who are weeping now: you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, ... But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.

Alas for you who have plenty to eat now: you shall go hungry. Alas for you who are laughing now: you shall mourn and weep.' Alas for you when everyone speaks well of you! .....’

Prayerful Awareness In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 St. Paul says: ‘Always be joyful; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks; this is the

The Most Holy Name of Mary will of God for you in Christ Jesus.’

Let us meditatively reflect on today’s Proclamations in the context of the advice given above. It is good to read the entire chapter 7 of first Corinthians to understand the views of Apostle Paul.

According to him it’s best for one to continue in the circumstances in which one finds oneself at the time of his/her conversion/salvation. His advice to us is to be happy whatever the circumstance, living moment to moment, without clinging onto anything, in the knowledge that everything is passing and nothing is permanent, except of course the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We see this in the life of Mother Mary!

In similar vein, it’s good to read the entire chapter six of Luke’s Gospel to understand the views expressed by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is clear that those who have should share with those in need, so that everyone’s needs are satisfied! Today’s Gospel Proclamation is followed by Jesus’ advice to us to love our enemies, avoid judging people, and that one’s inner self will be evident by one’s actions, through which it will be apparent whether one is being led by the Spirit of Light, or darkness. He sums up by saying that one who hears the word and does the Father’s Will is like one who builds his house on a firm foundation which can withstand all attacks that comes from without and within!

The reward is to become one with the Creation and the Creator, living eternally in a blissful spirit of outpouring love!

Prayer Starter Let us cultivate the thirst to be ignited by Your Word and Spirit to learn to discern Your Will on a moment to moment basis and to carry it out to our utmost ability to bring as many as we can to share in this inner peace, singing praises to You in all circumstances!

Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

18

Thursday 13th September 2018 1 Corinthians: 8/1-7, 11-13 Psalm:138/1-3, 13-14 23-24 139/1-3,13-14,23-24 Luke: 6/27-38 St. John Chrysostom He was the son of a Latin father and a Greek mother. He was directed to study the Holy Scripture by his friend St. Basil and the Bishop of his native Antioch St. Meletius. He was ordained Priest in 386 and he became the very “eyes, ears and hands of his Bishop.

Many of the treaties and books he wrote, have come down to us his greatest asset, however was the “spiritually rich content of his preaching. The meaning of the Greek suffix, Chrysostom, is “goldenmouthed”. In his sermons he fearlessly inveighed against the dissolute lives, the excessive luxuries and vanities of the imperial court. The common masses were often moved to tears, frequently applauded him even in the church. Later he was banished to Armania. He passed away in 14th September 407. He is the patron saint of preachers and is invoked against epilepsy.

Gospel Proclamation Please read Luke: 6/27-38 meditatively.

Prayerful Awareness ‘Love your enemies’ is one of the widely debated and discussed commandments of Jesus. He has given us simple rules. ‘Do good to those who hate you.

Bless those who curse you and pray for those who will ill-treat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek let him hit the other one too. Do or others, just what you want them to do for you (Lk.7:27-29 & 31) The invitation of the Lord us, as His ardent followers, is to effect that revolution in our society by enacting these

St. John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor golden rules in our lives and be at the foot of a revolution which no statesman has ever dreamed of. “You therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect”: “Be merciful, even as your father is merciful, a new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” It is impossible to keep the Lord’s by imitating the divine model from outside, there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depth of the heart in holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make “ours” the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Then the unity of forgiveness becomes possible and we find ourselves forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us. (C.C.C.2842) “Forgive and forget.” is a very common saying. Our Lord wants us to do it and at the same time the Father is commanding us. He knows it is beyond our ability. But there is the good news that the Holy Spirit gives us His help, guidance and power to achieve the end. “To enure 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; never to answer back with hatred to the man who lies and says you are disloyal to your country or tells the worst lie, that you are against freedom - these are the hard things Christ came to teach, and they 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, the elite among the mob, the kind who will transform the world. If certain people are not lovable, one puts love into them and they will become lovable. Why is anyone lovable - if it be not that God put His love into each of us? (Archbishop F. J. Sheen) Prayer Starter Help us to forgive unconditionally.

Amen

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

19

Friday 14th September 2018 Numbers:21/4-9 OR Philippians:2/6-11 Psalm:77/1-2, 34-38 (78/1-2, 34-38) John: 3/13-17 The First Proclamation On the way the people lost patience. They spoke against God and against Moses, ... At this, God sent fiery serpents among the people; ....

The people came and said to Moses, 'We have sinned by speaking against Yahweh and against you. Intercede for us with Yahweh to save us from these serpents.' Moses interceded for the people, and Yahweh replied, 'Make a fiery serpent and raise it as a standard.

Anyone who is bitten and looks at it will survive.' ....

Fix your gaze on Jesus

O Jesus, the Living Word, manifesting in material form initially, then as the son of Mary, and now in your cosmic form essentially in and through everything, and most specially through the Eucharist, help us grasp the love of the Creator you convey to us.....

The children of Israel were wearied by a long march around the land of Edom. They speak discontentedly of what God had done for them, and were distrustful of what he would do. O! What will they be pleased with, whom manna will not please?

Let not the contempt some cast on the Word of God, make us value it less.

It is the bread of life, substantial bread, and will nourish those who by faith feed upon it, to eternal life. We see the righteous judgement God brought upon the Hebrews for murmuring. The fiery serpents sent among them bit or stung many to death. They would not have owned the sin, if they had not felt the smart; but, they relent under the rod.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross And God makes a wonderful provision for their relief. It was not the sight of the brazen serpent that cured; but in looking up to it, they looked up to God as the Lord that healed them. The material form is simply a manifestation of the real stuff- the divine stuff underlying it. We must develop the sense-sight to see this, if we are to progress as sons of God; and our present scientific progress especially in the quantum mechanics and particle physics, contributes and facilitates this understanding.

In fulfilment of the Jewish experience, our Saviour confirmed, that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of man must be lifted up, that whatsoever believes in him, would not perish. Compare their disease and ours.

Sin bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder. Compare the application of their remedy and ours. They looked and lived, and we, if we believe, shall not perish.

It is by faith that we look unto Jesus, whosoever looked, however desperate his case or feeble his sight, or distant his place, was certainly and perfectly cured. The Lord would relieve us from dangers and distresses, have we but the faith there-for. Oh that the venom of the old serpent, inflaming men’s passions, and causing them to commit sins which end in their eternal destruction, were as sensibly felt, and the danger as plainly seen, as the Israelites felt pain from the bite of the fiery serpents, and feared the death which followed! Then none would shut their eyes to Christ, or turn from his gospel. Then a crucified Saviour would be so valued, that all things else would be accounted loss for him; then, without delay, and with earnestness and simplicity, all would apply to him, crying, Lord, save us; we perish!

Prayer Starter We are lost without you O Lord, save us! Help us abide in Your Will, Your Word, that we may be Cleansed and be Blessed.....

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

20

Saturday 15th September 2018 Hebrews:5/7-9 Psalm:30/2-6,15-16, 20 (31/1-5,14-15,19) John:19/25-27 OR Luke: 2/33-35 The Gospel Proclamation And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too.

Prayerful Awareness Mary, the maiden of 16 years of age, is approached by the Almighty God, to be a partner in the process of salvation God had planned out. Could not this Almighty God have some other plan to save mankind? Could not this Almighty God devise some other way to come to be with mankind? God certainly would have had other alternatives. But, Mary was God's choice to be a co-partner to save mankind.

Mary, represented all mankind, when she said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me, according to your word." (Luke 1:38) in the "Yes" of Mary, God saw the "Yes" of all mankind consenting to be saved

by God. Just as Jesus had to undergo much suffering, pain and ultimately death, in obedience to His Father's wish, Mary too had to undergo much suffering, pain and even death, not physically but in her mind and heart.

This was summed up by the pro-

Our Lady of Sorrows phetic words of Simeon to Mary at the presentation of baby Jesus at the Temple. "Behold ... and a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2/35) Yes, from the very moment Mary said "Yes", to God's plan of salvation she had to undergo much worry, anxiety, ridicule and pain of mind.

Today, as we commemorate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, let us contemplate on the various events in Mary's life, from the moment of annunciation to the final moments in the life of Jesus on this earth, when the dead body of Jesus was placed on Mary's lap. It was a case of experiencing one disappointment after another. Can we think of one solitary event that made Mary's heart happy. Let us reflect .....

Mary, well and truly suffered with Jesus in order to bring salvation to mankind. Her heart was pierced in the process.

As mentioned in John 19:27, Mary is truly our Mother, who suffered to save us, her sons and daughters in Jesus Christ. "Behold your mother" - And so, just as John the beloved disciple of Jesus, took Mary into his house, shall we too, as disciples of Jesus, take Mary - our Mother, into the homes of our hearts.

Let us love her, in our hearts and show our reverence and respect as God has willed in the fourth Commandment.

Prayer Starter I'll sing a hymn to Mary, the mother of my God The Virgin of all virgins, of David's royal blood O teach me holy Mary, a loving song to frame When wicked men blaspheme thee I'll love and bless thy name

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

21

Sunday 16th September 2018 Isaiah: 50/5-9 Psalm: 114/1-6, 8-9 (116/1-6, 8-9) James: 2/14-18 Mark: 8/27-35 Introduction Today, the first proclamation starts with the words, 'The Lord has opened my ear.' This reveals that God has provided opportunity for his servant to stay open to him, to listen to him and know him. The Gospel Proclamation of the day presents how Jesus questions them as to "Who do people say I am?" and "Who do you say I am?" Today he directs the same question to you and to me. With all that, St. James in the second proclamation declares that if good works do not go with faith, it is quite dead. Let us present ourselves before the Lord with the challenging vocation he sets before us, his "servant children" in the society today.

The First Proclamation The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame, he who vindicated me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries?

Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time PS WK IV me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Prayerful Awareness Chapters 40-55 of the Book of Isaiah come from the period of Babylonian captivity. The main theme of these chapters is that God is the Lord of creation and history. Only he could grant us true freedom and redemption.

His plan is to bestow his blessings upon the nations through his chosen people. Chapters 42-58 contain a hymn depicting the image of his "suffering servant." It clearly displays how he acts quite differently than the ordinary man when faced with most difficult circumstances in life. This is purely a result of knowing fully who God is and the steadfast faith he has in him.

The Gospel Proclamation Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi and on the way he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him. 'John the Baptist,' and others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets. He asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?" ' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah..'

And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples,

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

22

he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

Prayerful Awareness 'Who is Christ to you and to me?'

Today He directs the same question to us. Peter answered, 'You are the Christ' which means the Messiah, the Saviour. Yet, when Jesus predicts His suffering and death Peter finds it difficult to accept since he never expected a suffering Messiah. However, Christ Himself tells him that his idea is quite contrary to the plan of God. Further, since Peter is rejecting the plan of God, the Lord as a protest not only rebukes the Satan acting in Peter but also lays down the fate of those who follow him. Thus with the words 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it' He invites us to enter into His own experience.

From the Second Proclamation What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm and eat your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily needs,

what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

But someone will say "You have faith and I have works."" Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith."

Prayerful Awareness St. James makes us discern the level of our faith impelling us to gaze at Jesus. The only way to enrich our own faith is to comply with his vision and mission in life. 'Love one another as I have loved you' His vision and lifestyle was based on love. St. James says, faith without action is dead meaning faith without love is dead.

Towards Our Son-ship "Renounce yourself, take up your cross and follow me' is His invitation for us today. What does it mean to renounce oneself? Renouncing self means renouncing 'I-me-mine.'

When self is renounced, there comes 'we-us-ours' which is communion.

Dying to self and moving towards communion is not an easy task but obviously a journey with the cross, an invitation to walk the same path as his in conformity with the words 'Come follow me.' What is our response?

Shouldn't it be 'Amen' that is, 'let it be?'

Prayer Starter Tremble O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water. (Ps. 114/7, 8) •Today being the National Catechetical Day let us present ourselves before the Lord on behalf of all those engaged in missionary activity.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing!"

23

Monday 17th September 2018 1 Corinthans:11/17-26, had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

33 Prayerful Awareness Psalm: 39/7-10, 17

The Centurion sent elders to meet (40/6-9, 16) Jesus and put forward his request to Luke: 7/1-10 First Proclamation Please read 1 Corinthians 11/17-26, 33 prayerfully. St. Paul guides us when we meet in one place to eat Lord’s supper, we must share with each other and therefore must wait for one another.

Gospel Proclamation After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death.. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. therefore I did not presume to come to you . But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me, and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave 'Do this', and he does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who

come and save his slave. When Jesus obliged to his request, He knew that it was the Will of the Lord to heal his servant and his strong faith prompted him to send friends and ask Jesus to say the Word and heal his slave without coming, His faith amazed Jesus.

Faith could be defined as complete TRUST and Confidence we have on God, His powers and on His Promises ( His WORD). Where are we in the level of our faith on His promises and His great love for every one of us. For Jesus promised that, whatever we ask from God the Father in His name, will be done (John 14:13 ). God the Father never forsake you ( Deut. 31:60). I am with you up to the end of age (Math. 28:20). Lord God wants us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances to give thanks, for this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thessa. 5 :16 – 17 ). Do not quench the Spirit and Do not despise prophetic utterances (1 Thess 5:19 & 20), Test everything ; retain what is good and Refrain from every kind of evil (1 Thes 5: 21 & 22). Believe that God Loves and Cares for us so much. For He wants us to change and be happy all the time, depend on Him and serve Him and finally enter His Kingdom to have eternal life with Him .

Prayer Starter Holy Spirit of God, we pray and beg You to improve our Faith to Trust God’s Love for us and to depend on His Word and His Divine Guidance to receive His Blessings to live as True Children of God connected to our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

24

Tuesday 18th September 2018 1 Corinthians:12/12-14 27-31 Psalm: 99/2-5 (100/1-5) Luke:7/11-17 The Gospel Proclamation Please read Luke 7/11-17 meditatively Gaze on Jesus Jesus and His disciples were on their way to the city of Naim. As they were about to enter its gates, the body of a young man, the only son of a widow, was carried through them A large number of people from the city were also there. The woman's grief touched the Lord and He said to her, "Do not weep" and He laid His hand on the stretcher. The bearers stood still and he commanded the dead one, "Young man, I say to thee, arise" and he who was dead sat up and began to speak and Jesus gave him to his mother.

No wonder a holy fear came over all those who were there for they would never have expected such a remarkable thing to happen before their very eyes and they gave expression to their feelings in the words they uttered at this moment.

This had been given very wide publicity as to make the people talk about Jesus and His deeds. When John the Baptist who was languishing in prison came to hear about this he sent his disciples to Jesus wishing to know whether Jesus is the one they are expecting or whether they are to expect another.

Prayerful Awareness In Naim the act of Jesus had the character of an effortless service of love rendered spontaneously. Here is a demand made on our faith. If we believe that Christ is the Son of God then our faith is sincere. And our faith is sincere,

or rather firmly grounded, only when we properly understand the relationship of the self-revealing God to the world. The world lies in God's hand. He is Power, Creator in the pure and infinite sense of the word and when He commands, the ordered world obediently and constructively submits to His Will. He is "the Lord". When God summons nature to participate in sacred history, he 'acts' and the world 'obeys'. What then occurs is a miracle in which the natural law is not suspended but fulfilled on a higher level. The miracle reveals the world as it appears to God; the world viewed from within, from the perspective of the human heart. It also teaches us who God is.

Him to whom man's fate means so much.

God is moved by the suffering human heart, the pain of it clouds His face.

The First Proclamation For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body .... and we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. .....

Prayerful Awareness To have a true community, everyone has to share in the life of the community and place their talents at the service of others. Even the most humble, poor and uneducated may have gifts which could be made use of to serve the others in the community. As soon as one is committed to Christian life, the Spirit awakens in him new and unexpected capabilities. It would be necessary to give attention to these capabilities and also make them aware of their dignity and responsibilities. Then there will be a resurgence in the Church - Gifts of the Spirit.

Prayer Starter Extol the Lord our God, worship at His footstool. Holy is He !

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

25

Wednesday 19th September 2018

St. Januarius, Bishop & Martyr

The Gospel Proclamation

Amidst various divisions and unhealthy conditions experienced by Corinthians, the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit and the significance of experiencing Love, the greatest gift of the Spirit is shown forth.

Didn't St. Paul experience this Love in his encounter with the Risen Christ. Rising above human wisdom and winning His love was the greatest gift that St. Paul received. It reveals the emergence of a new life in a person committed to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that surpasses the human weaknesses of hate, jealousy, dishonesty, criticism and judgment.

The Gospel proclamation of today reveals the fact that Our Lord correctly identified love as the wisdom of God. His home was the society that He lived in. He lived among the weak, the vulnerable, the sinful, the alienated and the helpless of the day. For Him, freeing them out of their misery was really the Love of God, and the Prayer of Love. One who doesn't love does not know God. He whose love was unconditional loved the entire human race with no distinction.

To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.' For John the Baptist has come eating no bread, and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon', the Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, 'Look a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners'. Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

"Lord, if we only have a wee bit of Your love!" O Holy Spirit, anoint us that we may turn to Abba Father, the fountain of Love. How weak and feeble am I of love. Make me be aware of and truly repentant of the moments I failed to witness to the divine son-ship received at Baptism.

Let me claim the greatest gift of love and continue to be mindful of the consequence of the capital sin of pride. Keep me awake to repeat from the depths of my heart, "I shall reject sin, and claim the life of love from today."

1 Corinthians: 12/3113/13 Psalm: 32/2-5, 12, 22 33/2-5, 12,22 Luke:7/31-35

The First Proclamation ..... If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. and if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.... Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. it does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things ...

Prayerful Awareness

St. Paul points out in his letter that Love is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit. Without love there will be no manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit.

Towards Self

Prayer Starter

Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Ps:32/2)

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

26

Thursday 20th September 2018 Sts.Andrew Kim Taegon,St.Paul Chong 1 Corinthians:15/1-11 invitation may have been to get Jesus to act or speak a word that might be a baPsalm: 117/1-2,16,17, sis of a charge against Him or through 28 sheer admiration and respect. There (118/1-2,16-17,28) was respect devoid of usual courteLuke: 7/36-50 sies. The woman was a prostitute. The attitude of Jesus towards such is clear in ‘A woman caught in Adultery’ (Jn. 8:1-11) To him woman in question was Gospel Proclamation a daughter of the Father. What he was A Pharisee invited Jesus to have interested in was helping her save her dinner with Him. Jesus went to his soul. The attitudes of mind and heart house and sat down to eat. In that are worth comparing. The Pharisee did town was a women who lived a sinful not feel love. life…. She brought an alabaster jar The impression he had of himself full of perfume … She started crying was that he was a good man in front and wetting Jesus’ feet with tears. of God and his neighbours. He placed Then she dried His feet…Kissed them and poured out the perfume on himself on a high pedestal. The woman them…The Pharisee said to himself on the other hand was overwhelmed “If this man really were a prophet with love for Jesus who, she thought He would know who is touching could supply what she needed most Him.”… “Simon, I have something forgiveness. She did get it. Of the two to tell you.” “Yes, Teacher” he said, characters the Pharisee thought and “Tell me.” “There were two men, acted as if he was self-sufficient, the one owed 500 silver coins and the very factor that shuts too off from God. other 50, to a money-lender. Neither On the other hand the woman knew and could pay back. So he cancelled both accepted her sinfulness and was forgivdebts….. “Which one will love him en. “Jesus scandalized the Pharisees by more?”Jesus asked the Pharisee. eating with tax collectors sinners as “The one who was forgiven more.” familiarly as with themselves. Against he said. “You are right,” Said Je- those among them “who trusted in sus… “Do you see this woman. I themselves that they were righteous came in to your home but you gave and despised others,” Jesus affirmed “I Me no water for My feet , but she have not come to call the righteous, but with her tears and dried them with sinners to repentance;” He went further her hair… Jesus said tot the woman, by proclaiming before the Pharisees “ Your faith has saved you; go in that, since sin is universal, those who pretend not to need salvation and blind peace .” to themselves.”(C.C.C.588) Prayerful Awareness Prayer Starter The Evangelist presents us with Help us to a burning need of thee. two characters - Simon the Pharisee Amen ad the women, the big idea behind this

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

27

Friday 21st September 2018 St. Mathew, Apostle & Evangelist Ephesians:4/1-7,11-13 Psalm:18/2-5 19/1-3 Mathew:9/9-13 The First Proclamation I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you therefore to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you were called. With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love. Take every care to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.

There is one Body, one Spirit, just as one hope is the goal of your calling by God. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, over all, through all and within all. On each one of us God's favour has been bestowed in whatever way Christ allotted it....

And to some, his 'gift' was that they should be apostles; to some prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; to knit God's holy people together for the work of service to build up the Body of Christ, until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and form the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.

Fix your gaze on Jesus O Jesus, what a calling; what a destiny; what an inheritance You are holding before us! Be Ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is....As I stand before today’s Living Word, I hear the cry; ‘Ye are sons of the Almighty; yes, you are gods’. Can you hear it too, and come to believe/accept it from the bottom of your heart?

The Scriptures emphasise earnestly for us to walk as becomes those called

to Christ’s kingdom and glory. Humility and Gentleness are to be the hallmarks of our attitude and conduct. We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we should not be surprised if we find in others that which we think it hard to forgive. But, the Good News is that, to the extent we deny ourselves (read false-self; ego), to that extent we become free and powerful to Love unconditionally; and to know/ experience LOVE (remember- we reap what we sow). There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven (with many mansions, rooms) we are all hoping for; therefore we should be of one heart. All are of one faith, as to its Object, Author, Nature, and Power.

All have been admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the sign of regeneration.

In all believers God the Father dwells, as in his holy temple, by his Spirit and special grace.

Every believer without exception receives some gift of grace, for their mutual help and growth in grace, such as brings trust and obedience.

The more a person finds himself with the desire to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, for the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.

Prayer Starter Thank You Lord Jesus for the greatest gift I’ve received in my life; Your Holy Spirit; this GIFT I accept gratefully with worship and praise! Turn me more and more towards Yourself; make me experience the godhood You holdout... O Divine Physician, heal me there-for....!

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

28

Saturday 22nd September 2018 1 Corinthians:15/35-37, 42-49 Psalm:55/10-14

(56/9-13) Luke:8/4-15 Gospel Proclamation When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable.

"A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold."

As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that, 'looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand,' "Now the parable is this. The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard, then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved.

The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

Prayerful Awareness The Sower (Lord), sows the Word on every ground, due to His great Love, to change everyone who accept the Word, for the Father’s Will is to save everyone He created, and finally take in to His Kingdom to have eternal life with Him. It is said in Isaiah 43: 7 that “Everyone who is named as mine, whom I created for my Glory, whom I formed and made�. God has a purpose for our lives on earth to bring glory to Him and His great love. We are created to this image (Genesis 1:17)to share this and bring Him Glory. Due to this great Love and Mercy, He gave His only Begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him and His Word, might have eternal life with Him. But only the ones who have the thirst (Desire) to embrace the Word with contrite hearts that Jesus Christ came in to this world, suffered and died for our sins, will act as rich soil, that allow the Word to grow in their lives and bear fruits to share with others. Jesus intervenes and sends the Holy Spirit of God to all who accept Him as their Saviour and Lord, and the Holy Spirit who comes in to their lives will dwell in them and change them, raise them, take them through various experiences to strengthen, empower, and make them holy step by step to be disciples of the Lord to spread His Word.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, send to me the Holy Spirit of God to mold me, raise me and empower me to be a servant of You who share Your Word to guide others to receive salvation. Amen

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

29

Sunday 23rd September 2018 Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Ps. Wk I to a shameful death, for, according to Wisdom:2/12, 17-20 what he says, he will be protected."

Psalm: 53/3-6, 8 Prayerful Awareness (54/1-4, 6) James:3/16-4/3 Mark: 9/30-37 Introduction Today is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time on which the Holy Mother the Church invites us to look into the nature of servant leadership of Christ and live accordingly. 'One who wants to be the first should be the last and the servant of all" is a statement that thoroughly disturbs man's heart from deep within. It's a challenge to me, to my family, to the society, to church and the whole world. The Lord compares the humility needed to be a servant to being a small child. Realizing that in order to overcome selfishness, competition, disharmony and partiality and live as a child of the kingdom we need to let Christ be the Lord and Master of our life as well as commit ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us enter into prayer asking for the strength to lead a life of holiness during this week.

The First Proclamation "Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions, he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training.

Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life, for if the righteous man is God's child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him

The aim of the author of the Book of Wisdom written close upon 50 B.C. seems to point out to the people the necessity of observing the tradition with faith in God as a means of facing sin and suffering, issues that are inherent to all ages. According to the first proclamation taken from the Book of Wisdom, the godless who sees the virtuous man a problem to them tries to destroy him.

Yet, the words they utter contain the idea that they also have some sort of hope of the virtuous being rewarded in the justice of God. If our Lord read this passage, would it have had some impact on Him? With regard to the phrase, 'If the virtuous man is God's son, let us condemn him to a shameful death' He would have been aware that it refers to Him. He would have been convinced by the indwelling Spirit that it was the Father's Will. At the same time, the Holy Spirit would have affirmed Him of His divine Son-ship. In His lamentations as a true Son of Man seeing the most difficult, wretched and shameful death before Him, clinging on to the Father's hand when He pleaded with him to be saved from these trials, influence of the Psalms would have been of immense help: 'O God, save me by your name; by your power, uphold my cause' (Ps. 54:1).

The Gospel Proclamation They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

30

were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Gaze at Jesus Our Lord was well aware of the human mind – inmost thoughts and desires of a human being. Being intensely mindful of His own thoughts, desires and feelings as a true Son of Man as well as being open to the Holy Spirit, the guidance He thus received would have carried Him through the correct path. Though well esteemed and powerful among the people, He never considered Himself greater or higher than the others for He was subjected to the superiority and majesty of the Father as a little child. He was fully convinced that being small, emptying oneself of everything in total surrender to God was the fundamental quality of the Kingdom which was expected of Him by the Father. He simply existed on the words spoken by the Father and His whole existence rested on them.

The Second Proclamation For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kin. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits; without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in

peace for those who make peace Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from! Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you?

You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures Gaze at ourselves Fights and conflicts among men is a common occurrence today in which competition for leadership becomes a root cause. Disharmony is caused by trying to show that one is greater than the other. It was common even among the first Christian communities which instigated St. James to ask 'Where do the wars and battles among you first start?'

Nevertheless, with the example set before them by the Lord, he had based his mission on the vision of Christ. As human beings, it is natural for us to desire to be great and aim at being promoted.

Yet, the invitation of Christ is for us to be a son and daughter of the Kingdom, to listen to the Father as a little child, to be a servant like Jesus which is not at all easy in the present age. Therefore let us continue to gaze on Jesus, and pray the whole day to be enlightened as to come out of our inner darkness and the web of selfish thoughts.

One who wishes to be first should be the last and the servant of all.

Prayer Starter Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer , O God, give ear to the words of my mouth.

But surely God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. (Ps. 54/1-2, 4)

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing!"

31

Monday 24th September 2018 Proverbs: 3/27-34 Psalm: 14/2-5

(15/1-5) Luke:8/16-18 Gospel Proclamation "No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen, for to those who have, more will be given, and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.

Gaze at Jesus Where light is absent there is darkness and the purpose of a lamp is to shine so that darkness is eliminated.

When we gaze at the divine sonship of Jesus, He became the light to the world, where darkness was the norm in the society. Here the comparison is between sin and suffering that was in the world at the time of Jesus. Jesus became the answer to the burden of sin and suffering that people were loaded with.

Our sonship Risen Lord continues to manifest His love to those who seek His light in their excruciating hours of darkness.

Therefore, those who experience Jesus and those who are consumed by the light that He shares, in return they become torches that carry the light of Jesus and transform themselves to be bearers of love in the society.

Let us meditate on the first reading from Proverbs as given below as it is the measure for us to base our attitudes “Whenever you possibly can do good

to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. Don’t plan anything that will hurt your neighbors. They live beside you trusting you. Don’t argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm. Don’t be jealous of violent people who do evil, but he takes righteous people into his confidence. The Lord put a curse on the home of the wicked, but blesses the homes of the righteous. He has no use for conceited people but shows favor to those who are humble”.

Meditating on these words we realize, we cannot live it unless we have divine providence. God provides strength to us through His Spirit when we continually repent and pray for assistance through Jesus.

Let us therefore, place our hope and trust in Jesus knowing our action is watched and blessed by God almighty.

Let us therefore, persevere to do good and cultivate an attitude of humility.

Prayer Starter Lord, the light of your love is shining In the midst of the darkness shining Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us Set us free by the truth you now bring us Shine on me, Shine on me.

Shine, Jesus shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze Spirit blaze Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow, Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

32

Tuesday 25th September 2018 Proverbs:21/1-6,10-13 Psalm: 118/1,27,30,34, 35, 44 (119/1,27,30,34-35,44) Luke: 8/19-21 The Gospel Proclamation Please read Luke 8.19-21 prayerfully.

Gaze on Jesus The mother of Jesus and His relatives who had come to see Him are unable to get near Him. When He was told about this, Jesus informs them that His mother and his brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. On another occasion when He was preaching, a woman from the crowd said that the one who bore Him and nursed Him is blessed. To her also Jesus said the same thing that those who hear and keep the word of God are blessed. It can be seen the importance that Jesus gives to the word of God - the Will of God. Jesus is the Word of God and it is only those who live the word of God that are related to Him and this relationship is not just a matter of flesh and blood. Whenever Jesus meets someone in whom the Will of God is alive, a warm breath seems to envelope him. Spiritually the paternal Will is to Him what blood is to natural life. He feels Himself more closely to one whom divine Will animates., than to any mere blood relation. Even as a boy of twelve years of age Jesus got Himself lost in the Temple in Jerusalem much to the anxiety and deep concern of His parents. When His distraught mother asked Him why He did it, He counter questioned her as to whether she did not know that He must be in His Father's house. He would even forgo His food in order to do the Will of the Father as happened at Jacob's Well.

"My food is to do the Will of the Father

who sent me." (John 4:31-34). When His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, He gave them the 'Our Father', the core of which is undoubtedly, "Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

In His Sacerdotal prayer He reveals the mystery of the divine Will, "I have glorified thee on earth. I have accomplished the work thou has given me to do.....' that they may also be one in us." (John 17:4-421). In the Garden in Gethsemane, in the face of untold suffering it was the Will of the Father that prevailed right up to the end. "Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done."

Prayerful Awareness Blessed Virgin Mary was always open to the Will of God and lived accordingly. At the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel revealed to her the plan of God concerning the coming f a Redeemer, she gave her wholehearted consent, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word." At the Visitation her elderly kinswoman Elizabeth was also inspired by the Holy Spirit to declare that "Blessed are you who believed that the word of the Lord would come true." Mary believed blindly. Her faith was greater, more heroic than that of any other human being. Inwardly she accompanied the incomprehensible figure of her Son every step of His journey, however dark.

Perseverance in faith even on Calvary - this was Mary's inimitable greatness.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, every time we recite the Our Father which You taught, we say 'Thy Will be done'. But then, we are more often than not influenced by worldly considerations that we hardly give any thought to seeking the Will of God. May You empower us to be always alive to the need to seek and abide by the directions that come from above.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

33

Wednesday 26th September 2018 Sts. Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs Proverbs:30/5-9 Psalm: 118/29,72,

89,101,104,163 (119/29,72,89,101,104, 163) Luke: 9/1-6

The First Proclamation Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar, do not deny them to me before I die; Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, "Who is the Lord?" or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.

They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Prayerful Awareness In today’s reading of Luke, Jesus is sending his twelve Disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. In Luke verse 5, He says the following: “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Jesus came to show us the unconditional love and mercy of God. Therefore, it is difficult to believe that Jesus would have said the above verse. It is much more likely that Jesus would have said the following: “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet”, meaning that He would have advised the Twelve Disciples not to carry any hurtful baggage around while on this mission.

As humans we feel hurt and rejected when we are not welcomed. If we carry these hurtful feelings with us, these experiences influence our ability to love and trust others. Instead, if we are able shake the dust off and move on, we come with freedom to do the Will of God. The past would not have any power over us. It has been said that “anything that comes also goes”, such as emotions, wealth, health, sickness, friends, happiness etc. However, God is always is. He does not come and go. He is Alpha and Omega. Therefore, the only certainty that we have is God. Prayer Starter Knowing that other things come and go, help us to not hold on to unnecessary things that limit our ability to love.

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

34

Thursday 27th September 2018 Ecclesiastes: 1/2-11 Psalm:89/3-6,12-14,17 (90/3-6,12-14.17) Luke: 9/7-9 St. Vincent De Paul He was the third of the six children in a peasant family and was educated by the Franciscans. He was ordained at 19. In 1619 King Louis XIII made him General Almoner, whereby he was able to improve the pitiful lot of the prisoners in jails and slaves in royal galleys. He established hospitals, and by way of bodily and spiritual ministrations won their hearts and converted many. “The congregation of priests of the missions” was formed by him. In 1626. They bounded themselves” to live in community and devote themselves to the salvation of poor country people. “Simultaneously, moved by the spirit practical charity, he helped stimulate the social consciousness of many women of the nobility and organized them Into “Ladies of charity”; He started a foundling home, an old people’s home, an asylum for the insane, and an institution for the care of lepers. Breadlines and soup kitchens were established. The needy peasants received seeds and money. Humble to the core, he shunned all publicity and placed unlimited trust in divine providence. Beatified in 1729. Canonized I 1737 by Pope Clement II and declared patron of all societies devoted to works of charity by Pope Leo XIII. Gospel Proclamation When Herod, ... heard about all the things that were happening, he was very confused, because some people were saying that John the Baptist had come back to life. Others were saying that Elijah had appeared, .....

Prayerful Awareness Human opinion can only give con-

St. Vincent de Paul flicting, contrary and contradictory answers. The four popular opinions show that our Lord enjoyed a high reputation among His fellow men, but that none of them had recognized Him for what He was. Herod Antipas fancied that our Lord was one animated by the spirit of John the Baptist; others thought He was Elijah, because he had been taken up into heaven; and others Jeremiah, because some believed that, Jeremiah was to come as the precursor of Messiah.

(Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen) Righteous and devout Simeon (Lk. 2:25) predicted that Jesus was a “sign to be contradicted”. Our Lord had two natures – Divine and human. Both these were on trial and the changes were different. The political judges, the religious judges –Yes they were all confused as to His true identity. To some He was unworldly and to another worldly. “His church too would be condemned on contradictory charges, either for claiming to be too divine by some, or else for being too human by others. Condemned on contradictory charges, He was sentenced to the symbol of contradiction, which is the cross. (Archbishop F.J. Sheen) Herod’s conscience was perplexed to hear people say that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. On his part. Herod did not do anything to correct his conscience. As a result of this crooked action his conscience only became hardened. As a result of this hardening of Herod’s conscience he finally wanted to kill Jesus. (Lk. 13:31) This way of numbing conscience can be seen even today. Indifference to God is real threat to man. Surely it is a threat to society as well. The reason being that morality of society depends on the human conscience. Listening to the word of God and by prayer we got to awaken our conscience- keep it in the right track.

Prayer starter Lord, give us great victories in our fight against numbing conscience. Amen.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

35

Friday 28th September 2018 St.Winceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz Ecclesiastes:3/1-11 Psalm: 143/1-4

(144/1-4) Luke:9/18-22 The First Proclamation There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven: A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted.

A time for killing, a time for healing; a time for knocking down, a time for building. A time for tears, a time for laughter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing. ...; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing. A time for searching, a time for losing; a time for keeping, a time for discarding.

A time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking. A time for loving, a time for hating; a time for war, a time for peace.

What do people gain from the efforts they make? I contemplate the task that God gives humanity to labour at.

All that he does is apt for its time; but although he has given us an awareness of the passage of time, we can grasp neither the beginning nor the end of what God does.

Fix your gaze on Jesus We are on this journey of discovery; the discovery of God's creation in all its splendour, of discovering our own selves including our inner nature, and of coming to know God, the Creator beloved! Thank you Lord...!

Look at where Humanity presently is; despite all of it's foibles and eccentricities, none would argue that as a species we have evolved and grown. Our capability for effecting our environment today is so much greater than it was a mere century ago. Our reach and command over 'What Is', is of a higher degree. Our general life conditions have improved

markedly. Despite alienating ourselves from God's creation and our own brethren in so many ways, in other ways we of course have come closer there-to! A foundational aspect of this creation is that everything is in constant flux; all is changing, from one form to another, both in the material and energy planes; energy is bound (as in sunlight transformed in to food), energy is released (as in being metabolised), material states and energy change form (as in from liquid to vapour, light to heat). This constant we have – we call it 'Change', or 'Evolution', we are slowly getting to know and understand. Oh, so much of it we still grasp but poorly, but we are surely making progress! Let us acknowledge that this evolution is driven by an intelligence beyond our present understanding! How does all this relate to today's scripture, you'd ask? Good question! God points us towards understanding and aligning with the on-going creative process, in today's scripture. He calls upon us to go with the flow; not rebel against it!

Therefore, understanding the flow, the 'Season', the 'Sitz Im Leben' is wisdom!

Someone was explaining the difference between Intelligence and Wisdom to me; he said that, An intelligent man sees everything as relative; a wise man sees everything as related. An intelligent man tries to control the flow, whereas a wise man navigates the flow. The Spirit of God is journeying (evolving) us towards the Truth. Each generation needs to use the previous generation as its springboard; this is how our understanding progresses!

Thus, the need to become aware of the 'Seasons' in our lives!

Prayer Starter Gracious Lord, You are so beyond us!

Will there ever be an end to our coming to know You? Paradoxically, You are right here with me too...and all Your splendour becomes accessible right now-here too...

Oh my soul, now you become aware of these blessings...!

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

36

Saturday 29th September 2018 Daniel: 7/9-10, 13-14 OR Revelation:12/7-12 Psalm: 137/1-5 (138/1-5) John:1/47-51 The Gospel Proclamation When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathaniel asked him, "Where did you get to know me?'

Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you."

Nathanael replied, "Rabbi you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these". And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." Gaze on Jesus Two of the disciples of John the Baptist follow Jesus when he (John) tells them that Jesus is the Lamb of God. One of them is Andrew the brother of Simon Peter. Jesus calls Simon, Cephas (which means rock) when Andrew brought him to Jesus. This is an indication that Peter will be head of His church as given in Mathew 16:18. "You are Peter or Rock and on this rock I will build my Church". Philip who also accepted the call to follow Jesus spoke to Nathaniel about Jesus mentioning what is said about Jesus in the Old Testament. On being told that Jesus is the son of Joseph of Nazareth he said that he had a very poor opinion of the people there. Nathaniel was very much surprised to hear what Jesus said about him because they had not met before. However, when Jesus

The Holy Archangels

mentioned about the fig tree under the shade of which the teacher of the Law taught the people, he became convinced that Jesus is not an ordinary person like him and he may have been inspired to say what he said about Jesus, "You are the Son of God. You are the king of Israel."

Jesus also made use of this occasion to tell him of certain events which will take place. In Mathew 4:11 it is said that when the devil left him the angels came to serve him. Again in Luke 3:22 it is said that the Holy Spirit came down upon Him in the bodily form of a dove and a voice from heaven is heard, "You are my Son, the Beloved One, you are my chosen One." Prayerful Awareness After the preliminary contact, these men apparently returned to their old occupations: 'After passing along the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew, casting nets into the sea. And Jesus called them "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." And at once they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little further, he saws James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately, he called them. And they left the father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workmen and followed him (Mark 1/16-20) Our Sonship We believe that we have been called

by God the Father from all eternity and we have with all our sinfulness and shortcomings been able to accept the call to follow Jesus and try to live the values of the Kingdom.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, we believe that You in Your unconditional Love for us have called us to bear witness to You at all times and under all circumstances. May You empower us with Your Spirit so that we could be filled with the everlasting love of God.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing"

37

Sunday 30th September 2018 Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time Ps Wk II on them; they were among those Numbers: 11/25-29 Psalm: 18/8,10,12-14 registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in (19/7,9,11-13) the camp. And a young man ran and James: 5/1-6 told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." And JoshMark: 9/38-43,45, ua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, 47-48 Introduction Invitation extended to those called for a life of discipleship through the Gospel Proclamation seems challenging.

As Christians even if we gain the whole world but lose the kingdom of God, our lives would be futile. So, let us thirst for heavenly inheritance, the fulfillment of Christian life.

The gate of heaven will naturally open to us to the extent we allow the Will of God and His Word to manifest in our lives. Presenting ourselves before the Lord who calls us to see with our own eyes the activity that exceeds all human desire, wishes and expectations, let us enter into our meditation of the word of God as a preparation for the Eucharistic Celebration that makes us cross over to the realm of God's grace.

Entrance Antiphon All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgment, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments. But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy.

The First Proclamation Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.

Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested

one of his chosen men, said, "My lord Moses, stop them!" But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake?

Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!"

Prayerful Awareness

The first proclamation of today unfolds the event of Eldad and Medad of the seventy elders receiving the gift of prophecy. It is God Himself who bestows His gifts on us. A certain gift given to a person is a special grace as well as a gift. Though Joshua fully engaged in the great work of Moses but unable to comprehend this showed his displeasure, the answer given by Moses the appointed leader of the people is a real example to us. It was the close relationship he maintained with the Lord that enabled him to discern the voice of God and His wisdom undeterred by the voice of those near him. Thus his 'Amen' to the Will of God at all times.

The Gospel Proclamation John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us."

But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. "if any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones

"Your Word, Your Will, A Fire & A Blessing"

38

of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.

Prayerful Awareness The second proclamation of today speaks of the fate of the rich who do not care for the poor and serves one's employees with unjust treatment. St. James shares with his community the message of the Lord – how God despises and is displeased with the wealth stored unjustly and by means of robbing the wages of the poor. Thus He shows His disapproval towards such actions.

The fundamental message of Jesus as well as St. James was the need to stay away from sin. Let us thirst for a similar life journey. The Lord's invitation is to opt for the poor – to work in their favour in an attempt to uplift them. Let us present ourselves before the Lord, asking for the strength to fulfill our prophetic mission in the world today.

Towards our Son-ship

o

who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell." And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out, it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched.

Gazing at Jesus

The first part of the Gospel proclamation today corresponds with the first proclamation. Just like Moses, Jesus in the New Testament discerned the mind and the word of God through the close relationship he had with the Father.

Jesus as a good teacher corrects his close friend bringing him to the mind of God. Similarly through the Gospel proclamation today St. Mark presents the teaching of the Lord with regard to a person working in harmony with him and the impulse to sin. It is a deep revelation that we cannot grasp with mere human intelligence and logic. Not falling into sin is a powerful sign of a God filled life experiencing His kingdom. Therefore, according to the word of Christ let us desire to enter the joy of heavenly kingdom The Second Proclamation Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth eaten.

Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days.

Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries

Through Baptism we too have been called and anointed as priests, kings and shepherds as determined by God from all eternity. How enthusiastic am I in fulfilling this vocation in tune with His mind and wisdom. As set forth in the Gospel, how mindful am I of my sin in thought, word and deed? Though bound by bodily pleasures and evil impulses as a consequence of sin, how aware am I of the graces and gifts of God open to me as a child of God? Prayer Starter Abba Father, give me a humble heart to pay heed to your voice in an attempt to seek and to bow down to your holy will. Inflame in me the gift of faith that I may see the sin lurking beside me and to believe in your power that carries me through to victory. Amen.

"Your Word, Your Will A Fire & A Blessing!"

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/=