Walk in the Spirit March 2019 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT March 2019 Volume 03 Issue 16

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

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER March 2019 Jesus preached. Jesus healed. Jesus worked miracles. He confronted people. He was kind, generous. He became angry. He wept. All these in His public life. There was His hidden life. There was something wonderful happening within. Every act, every non-act brought Him the Man closer and closer to the Abba. Every moment of His by thought, word, deed, non-action was a sacrament. He was incarnate in the fullest sense. He took upon Himself the sins of the world. He led a sacramental life. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Friday 1st March 2019 Sirach:6/5-17 Psalm: 118/12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35 (119/12, 16, 18, 27, 34-35) Mark:10/1-12

The First Proclamation A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response. Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him; for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but will not stand by you in your day of trouble. Another kind of friend will fall out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public, and a third kind of friend will share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble: when you are doing well he will be your second self, ordering your servants about; but, if disaster befalls you, he will recoil from you and keep out of your way. Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends. A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure. A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth. A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one. Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too. Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord Jesus, You spoke to those who sought You out regarding divorce with authority; Your were cognizant of our

spiritual nature even as You related to the creation from within the material housing(body) Abba provided You with. Being so aware, and thus choosing (internally) to remain constantly in the Sphere of Love(Kingdom of God), You were communicating / imparting to Your audience these inner truths. The 'Call' is to stay in love; thus breaking bonds freely chosen and formed (committed to), as You clearly stated is a No-No. You were imparting God the Father's mind in this proclamation; that God entered in to a covenant with man-kind unilaterally; to Love and Care for the chosen nation, the progeny, all who'd believe and accept the AllMighty! We are to reflect this stand in our relationship with each other. Our choice to stay in love does not depend on the response of 'The Other'; nor on the circumstances. We also learn that being in love does not make you say 'Yes' to every demand either; God does not answer our every want (James 4:3)...thus we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit of God in discerning the mind of God on a constant basis, in the manner as Jesus practiced. We also need to be careful in our choices in regard to those whom we seek to relate with; this is especially so since we are still in the process of tuning in to that 'still small voice' of the Holy Spirit, and are not anchored ontologically in God. This appears to be what God is cautioning us through Ben Sirach. Take heed, since the choices wielded by 'the Other' can be unknown... Prayer Starter Thank You Lord for Your constant relating to us, to inculcate Your mindYour Word-Jesus within. Jesus Lord, become incarnate, so that we'd experience Your Fire and Blessings...

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

Saturday 2nd March 2019 Sirach:17/1-13 Psalm:102/13-18 (103/13-18) Mark: 10/13-16 Gospel Proclamation Please read Mark 10/13-16 prayerfully. Prayerful Awareness Disciples tried to stop children coming to Jesus. But Jesus said to them: “Do not stop them!” “Let the little children come to ‘me,’” Jesus was so anxious to touch, bless, teach and receive these children to know and Love them as a friend. Do we do enough to let this happen, or do the customs of the world dwarf our efforts? We now know good and evil, and evil makes its presence felt. Is innocence worth preserving? Is it possible to recover? Our Lord suggests “yes” to both questions. If we desire to fight for the Kingdom, my battle should start by defending innocence, the only door to the Kingdom. Do I fight for it at home, in the media, on the Internet, at school, in the neighborhood, at work? Jesus’ words “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child” applies to me each day of my life. Now, the grace of baptism does not disappear. It is renewed each time I pray, each time I offer God my life and day, and each time I prayerfully listen to His Word. So also, each time I gaze upon Jesus through the eyes of Mother Mary with a rosary in hand, and each time I thank God for His many blessings. Also, the more I experience Christ in the sacraments of the Eucharist and reconciliation the more powerfully He renews this grace of receiving the Kingdom. The one common condition is that I trust like a little child. It is the

act of faith through which I enter in contact with the King. Innocence can be recovered and restored, but not without a childlike Faith. How deliberately do I exercise this rejuvenating Faith? The First Reading SIR 17:1-15 reminds us of the creation message. How Almighty God created us from earth, to go back to earth one day with a limited life span, and what Wisdom and powers God gave His most Valuable and Most Wonderful and Most Loved creation, He made to His own image for a particular purpose, to spread His Glory by way of His Great Love, to take His Love to every creature, to the entire universe and at the end to unite with Him in His Glory. For this He made an everlasting covenant and said “Avoid all evil”. How well do we live our lives to suit God’s call to Praise Him and bring Him Glory through our every action, through every word we speak and through every thought, emotion, attitude, our manners and behavior. When man went the wrong way God sent His own begotten Son to save man and gave a new Covenant to renew God’s call through Jesus Christ, to accept the visible Son in place of invisible God, and grant His Spirit to all who accepted Him as their Lord to follow His teachings, to love every one as He loves us and avoid all evil. In order to help us live pious lives to suit God’s call Jesus intervened to send Holy Spirit from His Father by way of the Sacrament of Baptism, Prayer Starter Almighty God, our loving Father, Grant me Your Holy Spirit each time I accept my sin or weakness and repent willing to change, discarding my old self, as a new creation in the Lord, for a renewal of my Baptism in the Name of my loving Saviour and my Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

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

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

Sunday 3rd March 2019

Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time PS Wk IV

way people are tested. Sirach:27/5-8 If you pursue justice you will Psalm: 91/2-3,13-16 attain it and wear it like a glorious (92/1-2,12-15) 1 Corinthians:15/54-58 robe. Prayerful Awareness Luke: 6/39-45

Introduction As a preparation for Lent that we would be stepping into in a few days, Gospel of the day awakens us to the fact of falling into sin as a result of moving away from the love of God. Sin is being trapped by the work of the devil. Therefore let us abandon the commandment of sin and submit ourselves to the commandment of God and take steps for repentance, examine our conscience, let go the mirage of sin and resolve to live in the word of God. Opening up to the turning point in our lives, get away from the usual routine of life and move onto true discipleship. Invoking the power the Holy Spirit, let us enter into prayer personally, as a family, community and parish. Entrance Antiphon The Lord became my protector, he brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he loved me (Ps. 18:18-19). The First Proclamation The kiln tests the potter's vessels; so the test of a person is in his conversation. Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so a person's speech discloses the cultivation of his mind. Do not praise anyone before he speaks, for this is the

Rubbish is something that is thrown away since it is of no use. Similarly, a man could be well eloquent in his speech but if it has no depth and is useless it will not bear any fruit. Further his style of speech will reveal his character, thoughts and feelings as well. Therefore, since a man can be identified for what he is through his speech he should be very careful and prudent with his words. As St. James says, "we all make mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also" (James 3:2). In the same way, the tongue draws us into sin since it is an organ that can be used for both praise as well as sin. Let us be awake, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us give ourselves to Him in total surrender. The Second Proclamation When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Prayerful Awareness God gave the Law to Israelites, not to separate the Jews who were accepted as a righteous nation from the Gentiles (considered sinful then), but to equip them better with a deeper knowledge of sin because any man who deviates himself from the love of God will definitely be a ground floor for the devil to start working in him. He will automatically be a victim of the crafty devices of the devil. The result would be death physical, psychological and spiritual wherewith we start working under the rule of sin. Yet, there is a person who triumphed over this deadly condition and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. He made us aware of both sin and righteousness and schooled us in defeating sin. He, who was without sin, shouldered the consequence of sin and won for us eternal life. Word becoming incarnated triumphed over sin and fulfilled the Law. Therefore, let us praise Our Lord, follow him and experience his love. The Gospel Proclamation

'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. My sonship

Let us turn back, repent and if I have hurt anybody ask forgiveness, if I have caused another to fall be repentant, leave no room for sin, and not be misled by the devil. Acknowledge Jesus as our only Lord and Master and step on to a new way of life. Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by Your peaceful rule and that Your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. (Collect). Let us resolve to make a good He also told them a parable. confession. "Can a blind person guide a blind Prayer Starter person? Will not both fall into a Those who love me, I will delivpit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully er; I will protect those who know my qualified will be like the teacher. name. When they call to me, I will Why do you see the speck in your answer them; I will be with them in neighbor's eye, but do not notice trouble, I will rescue them and honor the log in your own eye? or how them. With long life I will satisfy can you say to your neighbor, them, and show them my salvation.

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

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

Monday 4th March 2019

St. Casimir

for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things St. Casimir, the third son of King are possible." Casimir IV, was a shining example Prayerful Awareness of faith, piety, humility and chastity. When he was nine years old, conscious As set forth in the first proclamaof the sufferings of others fell down on tion, those who repent and return to his knees and spent the whole night God leaving sin behind will receive in prayer, slept on the floor devoid of blessings in plenty. Let us resolve to comfort and joyfully entered a rigid open ourselves to the words of the lifestyle. He had a great devotion to Lord, "Sin no more"; and without the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady, trying to justify the wrongs commitfed the hungry and was a father to the ted honestly accept them with a firm poor. After an austere way of life he determination not to sin again. was called to rest at the age of 26. He As depicted in the Gospel proclais named the patron saint of Poland and mation, a rich man comes to Jesus and is invoked against contagious diseases. asks what he must do to inherit eternal The Gospel Proclamation life. Jesus says to sell everything he As he was setting out on a jour- owns and give the money to the poor ney, a man ran up and knelt before and then to follow him. Since he failed to do so the Lord him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal says, that it is very hard for those who life?' Jesus said to him, "Why do have riches to enter the kingdom of you call me good? No one is good but God. God alone. You know the commandWhen we turn to ourselves how ments: ..... He said to him, "Teacher, much material riches have we stored I have kept all these since my youth." up? How much do we engage ourselves Jesus; looking at him, loved him and in a life of sharing? Do we amass said, "You lack one thing; go sell wealth through unjust means? what you own, and give the money to Let us find joy in sharing what we the poor, and you will have treasure have with others and bring joy to others in heaven; then come, follow me." too. Lord please help us come to know When he heard this, he was shocked Your Will. and went away grieving for he had Prayer Starter many possessions.

Sirach:17/20-28 Psalm: 31/1-2,5-7 (32/1-2, 5-7) Mark:10/17-27

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said .... It is easier

In You, O Lord, I seek refuge, do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. (Ps.31/1,2)

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

Tuesday 5th March 2019 Sirach:35/1-15 Psalm:49/5-8,14, 23 (50/5-8, 14, 23) Mark: 10/28-31 The First Proclamation The one who keeps the law makes many offerings; one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being. The one who returns a kindness offers choice flour, and one who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering. To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement. Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the commandment. The offering of the righteous enriches the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High. The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable, and it will never be forgotten. Be generous when you worship the Lord, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands. With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold..... The Gospel Proclamation Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age - houses, brothers and sister, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions - and in the age to come

eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Prayerful Awareness In the Bible God gives rewards to the people according to His justice. As believers, our true reward is GOD'S PRESENCE and power., through the Holy Spirit. Later, in eternity, we will be rewarded for our FAITH and SERVICE. If material rewards in this life come to us for every faithful deed, we would be tempted to BOAST about our achievements and act, our of wrong motivations. Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for His sake will be repaid a hundred times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same form. For example, someone may be rejected by his family for accepting Christ, but he or she will gain a larger family of believers. Along with these rewards, however, we experience persecution because the world HATES God. Jesus emphasized PERSECUTION to make sure that we do not SELFISHLY follow Him only for the rewards. Jesus explained that in the world to come, the values of this world will be reversed Those who seek status and importance here, will have NONE in heaven. Those who are humble here, will be great in heaven. The corrupt condition of our society encourages confusions in values. We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good, and Jesus' teaching about service to others seems ALIEN. But those who have humbly served others are most qualified to be GREAT IN HEAVEN. Prayer Starter Lord, the world around us makes us feel threatened and in danger. Give us peace and strength to work for Your glory, not for our glory.

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

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

Wednesday 6th March 2019

Joel:2/12-18 Psalm:50/3-6,12-14, 17 (51/1-4,10-13,15) 2 Corinthians: 5/20-6/2 Mathew: 6/1-6. 16-18

Introduction Today is Ash Wednesday, which starts the Lenten period culminating with the passion of our Lord on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday followed by the celebration of our Lord’s glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday reminds us that we are dust / ash and will return to such, if not for the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life in sacrifice for mankind’s collective sin, in order to restore for us divine son-ship so that we could live with Him in eternity as per Abba Father’s Will. The Church exhorts the believers to spend the Lenten period in prayer, fasting, and alms giving, which are called the three pillars of our faith experience, which help us to live our lives in a manner pleasing to our Abba Father. The First Proclamation from the Old Testament is a call to repenting and fasting so that we can be reconciled to God, which some tend to think does not apply to the people of the New Testament. But this fallacy is laid to rest in today’s Gospel Proclamation with our Lord’s own instructions with regard to giving of alms, prayer, and fasting. Let us then read and reflect on Today’s Proclamations meditatively. The First Proclamation But now, declares Yahweh, come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Tear your hearts and not your clothes, and come

Ash Wednesday back to Yahweh your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and he relents about inflicting disaster. … The Second Proclamation So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were urging you through us, and in the name of Christ we appeal to you to be reconciled to God. For our sake he made the sinless one a victim for sin, so that in him we might become the uprightness of God. ...... Gospel Proclamation "Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, ….go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father….When you are fasting, ……put scent on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’ Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord! Prayer Starter Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people. "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" (Ps.50/3-5)

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

Thursday 7th March 2019 said when he cleansed the temple, that

Deuteronomy:30/15-20 he was the temple of God, and that the Psalm: 1/1-4, 6 temple would be destroyed. They had missed His teaching about the serpent Luke: 9/22-25

The Gospel Proclamation He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Prayerful Awareness Here ws have one of the occasions in which Our Lord divulged the secret, that He, the Son of Man, was destined to be rejected by the hierarchy, be condemned to death - an ignominious death on the cross. The apostles had not only to discover the fact but also to discover what it meant. Their expectations were on another footing - a worldly king, a conquering one who would lead them to world dominion. But Jesus had to intervene and lead them to the correct understanding - take their ideas of God and His purposes and turn them upside down. "After promising that the gates of hell, or error, or evil would never conquer His Church, Our Lord made the first of the most open confessions of His coming death. He had already given many veiled hints concerning it; but the apostles had been slow to recognize that the Messiah would suffer as Isaiah had foretold. They missed the full implication of what he

lifted up as a prophecy of how the Son of man would be lifted up on the cross. But now that the man whom He had chosen as the chief of His apostolic body had confessed His divinity He openly showed them that the way to glory both for him and for them led to suffering and death." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) Jesus also lays down conditions of service for His followers. First comes self-denial. We must forget that self exists. In other words it is to treat self as if it did not exist. How much priority do we give to self? We keep ours on the topmost pedestal. But here Jesus says that if we are to follow Him we must forget that self exists. The next condition is to take up our cross. Jesus knew what crucifixion meant. It meant that His followers had to be ready to face the worst, to go through thick and thin. Be ready to face anything for being true to Him. Not to hoard life but to spend it. Keep life for ourselves no, but to spend it for others; burn it out for Christ and for our neighbors. Be loyal to Him and have your reward - an eternal one. The reverse - be disloyal to Him and be punished; end up in hell. "Satan did not confess the Divinity of Christ since he prefaced each temptation with an "if": - "If Thou art the Son of God". To the credit of Peter, he did confess Jesus' divinity. But along with this difference, there was this likeness; both Peter and Satan tempted Christ from His cross and therefore from redemption. Not to redeem was Satan's mind; to have the crown without the cross was Satan's spirit. But it was also Peter's. Therefore Our Lord called him Satan." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen). Prayer Starter Help us to forget our selves take up our crosses and follow Thee. Amen.

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

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

Friday 8th March 2019 Isaiah:58/1-9 Psalm: 50/3-6, 18-19 (51/1-4,16, 17) Mathew:9/14-15 The First Proclamation Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. "Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call and the Lord will

St. John of God answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. .... Fix your gaze on Jesus Self–loving and the Timid may say, Spare thyself; dislike of the cross and other motives will say, "Spare the rich and powerful;" but God says, "Spare not:" and we must obey God, not men. We all need to earnestly pray for God’s assistance in examining ourselves. Men may go far toward heaven, yet come short; and they may go to hell with a good worldly reputation. A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they indulged in pride, covetousness, and malignant passions. To be liberal and merciful is more acceptable to God than mere fasting, which, without them, is vain and hypocritical. Many who seem humble in God’s house, are hard at home, and harass their families. But no man’s faith justifies, which does not work by love. Yet persons, families, neighbourhoods, churches, or nations, show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, from right motives, repenting, and doing good works. The heavy yoke of sin and oppression must be removed. As sin and sorrow weaken the strongest human constitution; so the duties of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort, even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, provided they are done from love to God and man. Prayer Starter Dear Lord, make me aware of my inner workings; to watch over my heart, and purify it with the guidance of Your Spirit....may Your Word abide within, bringing me Blessings...

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

Saturday 9th March 2019 Isaiah:58/9-14 Psalm: 85/1-6 (86/1-6 ) Luke: 5/27-32 The First Proclamation Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finer, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. ..... The Gospel Proclamation After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up left everything, and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus answered "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Prayerful Awareness O Holy Spirit, enlighten me with Your spirit that I may gaze at Jesus. On this earth there is no one who is so innocent as not to sin. Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ who born under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit free from sin, full of love had contact with the sinners, forgave them and chose the redeeming way of the cross to set free from sin the whole of humanity. With the love that emanated from Him, He called Levi for discipleship. The proclamations of the day reveal the most loving way the Lord who is well aware of the joy in heaven at the conversion of sinners, sees, thinks and acts. Towards Oneself At the very beginning of Lent Holy Mother the Church invites his children to realize the gravity of sin, repent and return to God. Therefore, with fasting and prayer let us lift up our hearts to Lord Jesus. At times, it is much easier for us to fast but rather difficult to avoid gossiping and to mar the good name of another and take at least a small step to feed the hungry, the poor and the helpless. How difficult it is to raise our voice against injustice? During this Lent, let us acknowledge the calling to follow the Lord with the infilling of the Love of God, and through the sacramental confession of a sincere repentance build up the broken relationship with God and others. With the forgiving love of God, let us start a new life. Prayer Starter Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you. (Ps.85/4-6)

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

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

Sunday 10th March 2019 Deuteronomy:26/4-10 Psalm:90/1-2,10-15 (91/1-2, 10-15) Romans:10/8-13 Luke: 4/1-13

Introduction We have entered Lent, a time of experiencing the grace of God abundantly. Let us pray during the Eucharistic celebration that we may be empowered during this time of fasting started on Ash Wednesday, to repent reflecting on life personally and to be conscious of the shadow areas that hinder radiating the divine Son-ship to the outside world. The theme of the day presents us the profession of faith in both Old and New testaments. In meditating on the proclamations we could see how this faith should be professed and proclaimed with our whole life without limiting it to words alone. Let us gaze on the Lord, reflecting on these proclamations and pleading with Him to strengthen us in facing dark and evil forces. From the first proclamation When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this response before the Lord your God .. "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. ... The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, ... and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. .... Prayerful Awareness

First Sunday of Lent PS WK 1

that the chosen people were freed out of bondage in Egypt and brought to the land of promise. The first proclamation today unfolds the worship they should offer God during their stay in that land. Further, the Lord expected of the chosen people a different response than the usual way of forgetting the oath made once the promise is fulfilled. Only a person set on a journey of faith and filled with faith experience would be able to give such a response. As such, the chosen people since the ancient times to this day, are in the habit of offering the first fruits to God as a result of this faith experience. From the Gospel Proclamation Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ... "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ..., "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, ... If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him." Then the devil took him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ..., "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' ... Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" .... Prayerful Awareness

According to the Sacred Scriptures It was with the leadership of Moses 'forty days' is a time duration signifying

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

God's action. Two examples from the Old Testament would be Moses being on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah being strengthened with food provided by God making his journey to the mountain of God fasting for forty days (1 Kings 19:8). The evangelists report a similar experience of the Lord in the wilderness totally depending on the providence of God while preparing for his mission. The Lord Jesus, called to a sacrificial way of life for the salvation of humanity as a suffering servant, being conscious of His vocation with His baptism at river Jordan, was led by the Holy Spirit for an experience of struggling with the powers of darkness. When we reflect on the temptations He was faced with we see that He had been called for a regal vocation of service and suffering. While the ancient Kings of Israel built their domain based on possessions, power and prestige, in the Kingdom inaugurated by Jesus they have been rejected as made obvious in the temptations He faced in the wilderness. Turning stones into bread is a testing of power. The second temptation to worship the devil to inherit all the kingdoms is based on riches. The final test was to jump from the pinnacle of the temple and it was a moment for Jesus to show forth His prestige. We see the unique characteristic of His Kingdom through His triumph over the triple temptation of power, possessions and prestige. When and if a kingdom or a business enterprise is built on these three foundations there would certainly be exploitation and oppression. When Jesus saw human kingdoms and authority as well as the people being oppressed through such endeavour, His mind naturally came to dwell on the kingdom under God's authority. Here we could see that Jesus happened to experience this in the first place simply because He was constantly awake to the triple temptation of power, possessions and prestige. The Second Proclamation â&#x20AC;ŚIf your lips confess that Jesus is

Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart you are made righteous; by confessing with your lips you are saved. â&#x20AC;Śthose who believe in him will have no cause for shame. â&#x20AC;Ś. Gazing at the Lord Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity, who came to us in human form, faced and overcame temptations just as we do, but responded to God in complete faith. He who believes in Him and acknowledges Him as Lord will be saved. Education or ignorance, body stature, wealth nor poverty would cause hindrance to achieving salvation since Lord Jesus mastered over in breaking down every distinction and barrier among human beings. The qualities of the Kingdom He built are not visible in any earthly kingdom or human dominion. Towards us Let us turn to ourselves in this special time of grace we have entered into with access to experience the grace of God abundantly. Where am I in the life of faith that has made me inherit divine life? In my personal experience, and as a family and community, who is ruling my life? Is it the Lord Jesus who defeated death and the devil or the triple powers of power, possession and prestige pertaining to earthly kingdom? Just as the people in the Old Testament offered their due share to God, do we awaken ourselves to the challenging word of our Lord Jesus proclaimed in the New Testament? Am I in an inner experience of giving my might, time and money for the cause of the Kingdom? Let us reflect. Prayer Starter Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God ..... Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love; so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days ... (Ps.90/1-2, 14)

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

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

Monday 11th March 2019 Leviticus:19/1-2,11-18 Psalm:18/8-10, 15 (19/7-9, 14 ) Matthew:25/31-46

The First Proclamation The Lord spoke to Moses, saying; Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God; I am the Lord. You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God; I am the Lord. You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great; with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor. I am the Lord. You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor; or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Gaze at Jesus Let us imagine Jesus the Son of man reading this passage. The people of Israel must be Holy, because God

is Holy. They have been chosen to be Holy. As Jesus meditates He comes up with a sterner challenge and in Mathew 5/34-37 Jesus says, "But I say to you do not swear at all, either by Heaven for it is the throne of God ... let what you say be simply "yes" or "no"; anything more than this comes from evil." With reference to Levi 19/18; Jesus says in Mathew 5/43-48, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Jesus knew that no man could live up to the Holiness of God, unless Jesus Himself established the new covenant. Prayerful Awareness Just as much as the full appropriation of the baptism of the blood is necessary for Holiness, challenges to our lives do not end there. As we learn from today's Gospel proclamation, Jesus expects us to identify Him in others in our day-to-day life situations and we have to respond the way we would respond to Jesus. Gaze at my sonship As I interact with others, are my answers a simple "yes" or "no" or do I get verbose over the smallest of issues? May the Holy Spirit teach us why getting verbose is evil. Do I pray for my enemies or am I still living in the old covenant? Do I recognize Jesus in others? Have I appropriated the baptism of the blood fully and permit Jesus Himself to love unconditionally through me? Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, I wish to enter fully in to the abundant life. Let me be one of those You want to put on fire for Your Kingdom.

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

Tuesday 12th March 2019 hatred against his brother he must first settle it and come before making an offering to God (Mathew 5:24). Often times the hardest thing to learn is how to forgive ourselves. We all make mistakes in our lives, take what we consider to be the wrong path, do or say the wrong thing at the wrong time. It is a fact of life sooner or The Gospel Proclamation later; we all mess up. Forgiveness is not "When you are praying, do not just saying, “oh well everything works heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles out for the best, maybe I didn’t do the do, ... "Pray then in this way; Our right thing then, but it’s all for a reason.” Father in heaven, hallowed be your This is not forgiveness. Forgiveness is name. Your kingdom come Your will admitting, “I have sinned against this be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ... person or God, I regret doing so and I will repent and change so that in the Prayerful Awareness future I will not make the same mistake Jesus condemns the superstitious twice.” Forgiveness comes when we put notion that long prayers are needed to in the effort to change; when we put in attract God's attention. True piety is the work to grow from the place where not so much a matter of the amount of we have sinned. There is a reason why words as of the frequency and the love many Christian faiths believe in penance. with which the Christian turns towards Penance is what we do to gain absolution God in all the events, great or small. for our sins. It is often prayers, but can Vocal prayer is good, and necessary; but include fasting, volunteering or other act the words count only if they express our that will aid in the journey of spiritual inner feelings. Jesus taught the Lord’s growth. Penance is a chance to reflect Prayer to His disciples as the guideline upon where we have been and where for prayer. A prayer to address Almighty we would like to go. To gain forgiveGod as our Father, for all who accept ness there must be some degree of self Jesus, the only Begotten Son of God reflection and growth. Our remorse who came down to pay for man’s sin, to for our sins must lead to growth. And fulfill the Will of God and renew man’s only by God’s grace are we granted the relationship to God the Father, who cre- growth to move past our sins to a new ated all of us to His own image (Image level of enlightenment. In this season of of His Great Love full of Mercy), to be Lent, let us remember that forgiveness His own and to bring Him Glory (Isaiah is a path that we take. A path that takes 43:7). Jesus said you must forgive others us on a journey of reflection, deepening for the Father to forgive you. You must our self knowledge, strengthening our have forgiveness in your heart in order relationship with Christ and most importo receive forgiveness. If we do not tantly increasing our love for God, for know forgiveness, know how to give it ourselves and for our neighbors. or understand the power of forgiveness, Prayer Starter how can we ever accept forgiveness? Holy Spirit of God, this season of How can we ever forgive ourselves if we can’t forgive others? God can only Lent teach me and help me to learn give us what we can receive. We can’t how to forgive, learn how to ask for receive something if we don’t believe forgiveness, and learn how to receive in it. This is why Jesus said if one has forgiveness, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Isaiah: 55/10-11 Psalm:33/4-7,16-19 (34/3-6, 15-18) Mathew:6/7-15

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

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

Wednesday 13th March 2019 Jonah:3/1-10 Psalm:50/3-4,12-13, 18,19 (51/1-2,10-11,16-17) Luke:11/29-32 The First Proclamation The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh .... .and he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" And the people of Nineveh believed God, they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, ... he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles; No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything ..... Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. ... Who knows? God may relent and change his mind, he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind abut the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it. Gospel Proclamation When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. ... The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of

Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! ...... Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, which shows the contrasting behavior between those who are open to God’s voice and those who are not. In the first Proclamation, God instructs Jonah a second time. We know Jonah’s attempts to do contrary to God’s Will ended in deep crisis, from where Jonah starts praying and gets restored, only to be instructed a second time by our compassionate God. One lesson we can learn from this is there’s no peace for those who are pre-chosen till they surrender themselves to God’s Plan/Will. Jonah obeys the second time round, which leads to the greatest king of the time to heed God’s warning and is able to save himself and his people from a great catastrophe by repenting and renouncing their evil ways and violent behaviour, and through fasting prayer! In the Gospel Proclamation we see the forces of evil doing its utmost to prevent people from following Jesus. Despite all the miracles Jesus had been performing up to that time, they ask Jesus to perform a miracle to prove who He says He is, and our Lord refuses to do their bidding because all the miracles Jesus did was as a result of the circumstances He found Himself in, and as the Holy Spirit guided Him, and for God’s glory and not His own. Jesus’s assertion that the only sign these people will be given is the sign of Jonah has a two-fold meaning, one, that the people of Nineveh heeded the warning and were saved, and two, Jesus will be raised in 3 days’ like Jonah! Prayer Starter Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. He calls to the heavens, above and to the earth, that he may judge his people. (Ps.50/3.4)

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

Thursday 14th March 2019 Esther:4/17 Psalm:137/1-3, 7-8 (138/1-3,7-8 ) Mathew: 7/7-12 The Gospel Proclamation "Ask, and it will be given you, search, and you will find, knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to y our children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Prayerful Awareness Here Jesus gives us the Christian character of Prayer. How vital and essential prayer is to our lives - yes, a variety of ideas are presented, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. How vital is prayer to our lives is emphasized by the fact that Our Lord spent whole nights in prayer. "The second prayer before raising of Lazarus is recorded by St. John. Thanksgiving giving precedes the event: 'Father, I thank you for having heard me', which implies that the Father always hears His petitions. Jesus immediately adds: "I know that You always hear me.' which implies that Jesus, on His part, constantly made much petitions. Jesus' prayer, characterized by thanksgiving, reveals to us how to ask: before the gift is given, Jesus commits Himself to the One who in giving, gives Himself. The giver is more precious

than the gift; he is the "treasure"; in Him abides His Son's heart; the gift is given 'as well'. The priestly prayer of Jesus holds a unique place in the economy of salvation. It reveals the ever present prayer of our High Priest, and at the same time, contains what he teaches us about our prayer to our Father." (C.C.C. 2604). "You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. (James 4/2-3). This opens our eyes. Selfishness has crept into our prayers, so we do not get what we ask for. We've got to be unselfish, benevolent when we pray - then only will our prayers be answered. How often do we put the finishing touches to our prayers with that all important prayer - "Not my will, however, but Your Will be done." (Luke 22:42). "Do for others what you want them to do for you." (Luke 7:12) This is something that has never been said before. Surely it is a new teaching and its view and its obligations are all new. In the negative form there are many. Never do to anyone else anything that you would not want someone to do to you." (Tobit 4:15). With the new rule Jesus is demanding many things from us, than any other teacher had ever demanded. Not to do things - yes, it is not a difficult thing. Not to hurt others is not a specially religious principle but a legal one. To be kind, loving, generous and understanding - to go out of our way to achieve these goals is a harder thing. The challenge is open to all of us. To live on par with this, positive form of the laws requires us to give in to the Holy Spirit unconditionally. Then we will be able to look for ways to help someone in need even at the expense of our time and plans. Prayer Starter Make me an instrument of Your love. Amen.

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

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

Friday 15th March 2018 Ezekiel:18/21-28 Psalm:129/1-8 (130/1-8 ) Mathew: 5/20-26

The First Proclamation 'If the wicked, however, renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and upright, he will most certainly live; he will not die. None of the crimes he committed will be remembered against him from then on; he will most certainly live because of his upright actions. Would I take pleasure in the death of the wicked -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- and not prefer to see him renounce his wickedness and live? 'But if the upright abandons uprightness and does wrong by copying all the loathsome practices of the wicked, is he to live? All his upright actions will be forgotten from then on; for the infidelity of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, he will most certainly die. 'Now, you say, "What the Lord does is unjust." Now listen, House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright abandons uprightness and does wrong and dies, he dies because of the wrong which he himself has done. Similarly, when the wicked abandons wickedness to become law-abiding and upright, he saves his own life. .... Fix your gaze on Jesus Repent, Turn anew to Your Lord God, and Thou shalt Live! Thank You Jesus for Your saving grace... The wicked man would be saved, if he turned from his evil ways. The true penitent is a true believer. None of his former transgressions shall be mentioned unto him, but in the righteousness which he has done, as the fruit of faith and

the effect of conversion, he shall surely live….. In their righteousness they shall live; not for their righteousness, as if that were an atonement for their sins, but in their righteousness, which is one of the blessings purchased by our blessed Mediator. What encouragement a repenting, returning sinner has to hope for pardon and life according to this promise! True believers watch and pray, and continue to the end, and they are saved. In all our disputes with God, he is in the right, and we are in the wrong. The Jewish teachers had interpreted the sixth commandment to be, that nothing except actual murder was forbidden by the sixth commandment. Thus they explained away its spiritual meaning. Christ showed the full meaning of this commandment; according to which we must be judged hereafter, and therefore ought to be ruled now. All rash anger is heart murder. By our brother, here, we are to understand any person, though ever so much below us, for we are all made of one blood. "Fool" is a scornful word, and comes from pride: "Traitor" is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred. Malicious slanders and censures are poison that kills secretly and slowly. Christ told them that how light so-ever they made of these sins, they would certainly be called into judgment for them. We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with all our brethren; and if at any time there is a quarrel, we should confess our fault, humble ourselves to our brother, making or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or deed: and we should do this quickly; as till this is done, we are not in communion with God. Prayer Starter Were we to prepare for a ‘Turning’, it necessitates serious reflection and self–examination. When we consider the importance of reconciling with God, and the uncertainty of life, we should seek peace with God without delay! Shall we?

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

Saturday 16th March 2019 and honour. While there are many rules and regulations in the Old Testament that enabled them to come to this position the Decalogue stands special. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfills the rules and regulations handed down from the ancient times. Changing the laws at The First proclamation the time of Moses, "tooth for tooth"; and This very day the Lord your God "eye for an eye," and "love your neighbor is commanding you to observe these and hate your enemy" he teaches them to statutes and ordinances; so observe love the enemy, forgiving him, for love is them diligently with all your heart the greatest commandment as well as the and with all your soul. Today you have foundation for every other law. Further, through His sacrifice on obtained the Lord's agreement: to be your God; and for you to walk in his the cross Christ taught the world the ways, to keep his statutes, his com- commandment of love. He forgave those mandments, and his ordinances, and responsible for His death. Thus, He into obey him. ... for him to set you high vites us this lent to transform our lives above all nations that he has made, in and be true sons of God. praise and in fame and in honor; and Towards us for you to be a people holy to the Lord Rather than entering into true reyour God, so he promised. pentance, deviating ourselves from our The Gospel Proclamation weaknesses and sins, we often remain You have heard that it was said, stuck in our sinful state giving excuses. 'You shall love your neighbor and Saying, "this is our human weakness, hate your enemy.' But I say to you: how can we be like God, how can we Love your enemies and pray for those be saints? aren't we trying to pacify and who persecute you; so that you may deceive ourselves, justify ourselves? Isn't be children of your Father in heaven, it simply rejecting the power of Christ's for he makes his sun rise on the evil Resurrection? and on the good, and sends rain on the If we accept ourselves as we are and righteous and on the unrighteous. For open ourselves to that power we shall if you love those who love you, what surely become an Easter people expereward do you have? Do not even the riencing the power of His Resurrection. tax collectors do the same? And if you The Gospel today directly invites us greet only your brothers and sisters, to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is what more are you doing than others? perfect. The vocation of every Christian Do not even the Gentiles do the same? is for sainthood and the Holy Spirit pours Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly down His power on us for this endeavour Father is perfect. wherewith we would be ennobled like Prayerful Awareness many other saints to love everybody The Lord chose the Israelites living equally with the same love of God. Prayer Starter in bondage as a special group of people. They who were leading an uncivilized O give thanks to the Lord, for he is life as slaves were set high above all good; his steadfast love endures forever! the nations made for praise and renown (Ps. 118/1...)

Deuteronomy:26/16-19 Psalm:118/1-2,4-5,7-8 (119/1-2,4-5,7-8) Mathew: 5/43-48

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

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

Sunday 17th March 2019 Genesis:15/5-12,17-18 Psalm:26/1,7-9,13-14 (27/1.7-9,13-14) Philippians:3/17-4/1 OR 3/20-4/1 Luke:9/28-36

Introduction As followers of Christ, we also have received the vocation of leading a life similar to Jesus Christ. Through the word of God presented by Holy Mother the Church during different seasons of the year, she fulfills her mission of bringing us closer to God. As such, during Lent, setting before us the great Good News of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, she invites us to experience God through repentance. Today, on the second Sunday of Lent, while the first proclamation reveals the covenant God made with Abraham, the Psalmist declares that Jesus Christ is our light and salvation. In the second proclamation, St. Paul says that through the love of Jesus for man He transforms our weak human bodies to the likeness of His glorious body. The Gospel reveals how the intimate relationship of the Father with the Son happened to be a great experience that left His disciples amazed. Let us pray for power to live solely for the cause of the Good News as people of divine inheritance. The First Proclamation He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." and he believed the

Second Sunday in Lent PS WK II Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Then he said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?"? He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." Then the Lord said to Abram, "Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Prayerful Awareness From the beginning of the Universe, God chose different people to activate His plans out of which Abraham bears special significance. The Covenant God made with Abraham teaches us how powerful an instrument is the God-man relationship in activating the plan of God. The faith of Abraham who believed what was incomprehensible and impossible to the human mind was counted by God as making him justified. It was a good response of sacrifice and challenge to the invitation of God. The life of Abraham endowed with such faith poses a great challenge to the faith of all of us. The Second Proclamation Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in

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

their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Prayerful Awareness The second proclamation clearly depicts how St. Paul who molded his life on Christ as its foundation and only objective declares the magnificent effect of his encounter with the Risen Lord. He will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe." The Gospel Proclamation Now about eight days after these savings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothing became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah talking to him. They appeared in glory, and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my chosen One. Listen to him!" When the voice had spoken Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. Prayerful Awareness The Lord taking Peter, John and James with whom He had a close relationship out of His disciples, went up the mountain. "The mountain"; takes us to the experience of the Old Testament. It was on Mount Sinai that God revealed Himself to Moses. In a similar manner the Gospel of the day presents us with an account in the New Testament of an experience of God dwelling on the mountain. In the vision of transfiguration the disciples saw Moses and Elijah. Moses was a great leader in the Old Testament and Elijah a prophet. Throughout the Old Testament God who spoke to the people through prophets, is seen in the New Testament drawing them to His love through His Son. When the disciples amazed at the glory of God were succumbed to fear and confusion hearing the voice of the Lord was capable of healing them. Our sonship We are not devoid of similar experiences. Lord, look down and have mercy on us when we gaze at You helpless, afraid and confused. Through the manifestation of His glory and the discussion of Moses and Elijah of His passing which He was to accomplish in Jerusalem, isn't the Father trying to provide a deeper spiritual nourishment and strength to Christ on human terms, for His sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of humanity whereat the Father would be glorified? Prayer Starter Abba Father, fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit that our lives called to inherit the beloved son-ship bestowed on Your Son, may always be pleasing to You.

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

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

Monday 18th March 2019

St. Cyril of Jerusalem same amount! No! Love your enemies

Daniel: 9/4-10 and do good to them; lend and expect Psalm:78/8-9,11,13 nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the (79/8-9.11.13) Most High God. For he is good to the Luke: 6/36-38 The First Proclamation I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession saying, “Ah, Lord great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. .... "Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. Open shame, O Lord, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Gospel Proclamation “If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to et it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the

ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. Prayerful Awareness

Jesus gave us the Golden Rule which bids us do to others as we would have them do to us. But this rule has been misinterpreted by many writers. Many say what you hate to suffer, do not do to anyone else. It is not unduly difficult to keep yourself from such action; but it is a very different thing to go out of your way to do to others what you would want them to do to you. The very essence of Christian conduct is that it consists, not in refraining from bad things, but in actively doing good things. It is not our neighbour with whom we must compare ourselves; it is God with whom we must compare ourselves; and in that comparison we are all in default. God sends his rain on the just and the unjust. He is kind to the man who brings him joy and equally kind to the man who grieves his heart. God's love embraces saint and sinner alike. It is that love we must copy; if we, too, seek even our enemy's highest good we will in truth be the children of God. Prayer Starter Heavenly Father we are pained, bruised and broken by our enemies and loving them is something we find so very difficult to do. Grant us the grace to forgive and in spite of their wickedness towards us teach us to love them the way You want us to do in Jesus Name we pray. Amen

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

Tuesday 19th March 2019 St.Joseph, Spouse of the Bl. Virgin Mary Then he went down with them and 2 Samuel: 7/4-5,12-14, came to Nazareth, and was obedient to 16 them. His mother treasured all these Psalm: 88/2-5,27, 29 things in her heart. (89/1-4, 26,28) Prayerful Awareness Romans:4/3,16-18.22 This Gospel passage reminds us Mathew:16/18-21,24 that although Jesus lived a normal life OR Luke:2/41-51 as a human being, He at times deviated from His usual behavior and acted in His Divine capacity. This is such situation, Today is the feast of St. Joseph the when He was just 12 years old. At the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Marry. Temple of Jerusalem His arguments and "The virtues of St. Joseph have been comments regarding the Divine vision the object of ecclesial reflection down far surpassed the views of the learned, through the centuries. Among these the educated priests and Pharisees. Jesus following stand out: Faith with which had first-hand information regarding he fully accepted God's salvific plan, God's Kingdom for He was in His Faprompt and silent obedience to the Will ther's bosom before He was conceived in of God, Love for and fulfillment of the His Mother's womb. Hence His words Law, true piety, fortitude in time of trial, made the Pharisees marvel at Jesus' wischaste love for the Blessed Virgin Marry, dom, although physically Jesus appeared a dual exercise of his paternal authority to be just a small boy of twelve years. and fruitful reticence. (Directory on For three days Joseph and Marry popular Piety and Liturgy) looked for Jesus who was lost. Both of them were full of panic for they were The Gospel Proclamation responsible to God for Jesus' safety. But Now every year his parents went at last they found Him in the Temple to Jerusalem for the festival of the questioning and answering the doctors Passover. And when he was twelve of the Mosaic Law. Full of anguish the years old, they went up as usual for Blessed Mother asked Jesus "Why did the festival. When the festival was you do this to us my Son?" Jesus' reply ended and they started to return, the was "Didn't you know that I am about boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, my Father's business. At that time Jesus but his parents did not know it. ..... was filled with the Holy Spirit and He After three days they found him in the felt His Divinity overcoming His natural temple, sitting among the teachers, allegiance to His mother. But it was just listening to them and asking them for moment. Jesus went with His mother questions. And all who heard him and foster father to Nazareth and the were amazed at his understanding Bible says " He was obedient to them." and his answers. When his parents This Bible passage has a small lessaw him they were astonished; and his son for its readers - that is about God's mother said to him, "Child, why have calling, especially to the religious life. you treated us like this? .... He said to Prayer Starter them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be Lord, let me give up the ways of the in my Father's house?" But they did world and embrace Your life style boldly. not understand what he said to them.

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

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

Wednesday 20th March 2019 Jeremiah:18/18-20 Psalm:30/5-6,14-16 (31/4-5, 13-15) Mathew:20/17-28 The Gospel Proclamation .... "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified and on the third day he will be raised. Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" ...... Prayerful Awareness Jesus Christ whose sole objective was to do the Will of the Father, throughout His life labored unceasingly with a great desire to establish the Kingdom of God, the Father's domain. Constantly educating His disciples on the Kingdom values He gave witness to this even through His lifestyle. Yet, the disciples had not been able to quite comprehend some of the things He taught as shown by the request of the mother of the two sons presenting their desire to sit one at the right and the other at the left in the Kingdom of God. May be they thought of the Kingdom of God in terms of an earthly kingdom where which the Lord poses a challenging question as to whether they are able to drink from the cup that He is to drink

meaning the cup of suffering filled with the sin of humanity. Proclaiming the bitter passion, the agonizing death and the resurrection He has to face for the redemption of mankind He points out that even though it is not an easy task how readily He is waiting to fulfill the Will of the Father. The leader must be the servant and ruler the slave. "The son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many". Stating thus He calls His disciples for servant leadership through His existence on earth. And it is amazing how He makes manifest the stark contrast between God's Kingdom and human dominion. As in the first proclamation, this is the same contradiction that instigated the people to rise against prophet Jeremiah to put him to death when he proclaimed the revelation of God in love for the people of Jerusalem who were in the dark without coming out of their sinful ways. Towards us Now that we are in the second week of Lent, let not the acceptable time flitter away. The lent is the specific season made available for us to knowingly enter the paschal mystery. It is a time of salvation that opens the gateway to a challenging life revolution inviting us as well as the political authorities of our country in pursuit of power and position. Therefore, let us turn to ourselves detect our sin and come to the Lord with true repentance. Let us pray for power and guidance of the Holy Spirit that emptying ourselves of our egoism we may follow the way of the cross, in order to accept the invitation to drink from the cup of the Lord, for the redemption of my family, community, parish, society and nation. Prayer Starter For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may liner for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity; "I shall never be moved." (Ps. 30/5-6)

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

Thursday 21st March 2019 Jeremiah:17/5-10 Psalm: 1/1-4, 6 Luke: 16/19-31

The First Proclamation Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. There shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes ....Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water ... It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green: in the year of drought it is not anxious and it does not cease to bear fruit....

The Gospel Proclamation

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented ... He calls out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue... But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life time you received your good thing and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here; and you are in agony....He said 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to

him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. '"

Prayerful Awareness

What a skillful parable we have here. Not one phrase is wasted. The description of the rich man is vivid his clothes and food. Then there is the beggar Lazarus. He fed on bread crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. How strange it is that Lazarus is the only character, in any of the parables, who is given a name. He was covered with sores and was so helpless that he could not even ward off the dogs that licked his sores. Then we have the abrupt change after their deaths - Lazarus is in glory and the rich man is in torment. The sin of the rich man was that he did not take action to alleviate Lazarus' sufferings. He had much but was inactive and partial. "Do for others what you want them to do for you." (Mathew 7:12) The Lord wants us to live accordingly and this is really a challenge, a new one that marks a Christian from others and it is He along who said this. The dialogue between the rich man and Abraham brings light to the fact - it was what he did not do that put him into hell. "But the presence of those who hunger because they lack bread opens up another profound meaning of 'Give us this daily bread.' The drama of hunger in the world calls Christians who pray sincerely to exercise responsibility toward their brethren both in their personal behavior and in their solidarity with the human family. This petition of the Lord's prayer cannot be isolated from parables of the poor man Lazarus and of the Last Judgment. "(c.c.c.2831)

Prayer Starter

Help us to be doers of Your Word. Amen.

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

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

Friday 22nd March 2019 Genesis:37/3-4,12-13, 17-28 Psalm:104/16-21 (105/16-21) Mathew:21/33-43, 45-46 The First Proclamation Please read Genesis 37/3-4, 12-13, 17-28 prayerfully. Prayerful Awareness Reading the First Proclamation of God's Love, we see it depicting the special love Israel (Jacob) bore towards Joseph, the son of his old age, expressed in an instance of making him a coat of many colours; thereby arousing his brothers jealousy and hatred against him, culminating in plots against him. And how their conspiracy to slay him, later changed to him being sold to some Midianites merchantmen as a slave…. Then let us listen to Jesus, narrating another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about,,,and let it out to husbandmen…And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first… last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son…. they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh… he will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons….The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto

you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof… Fix your gaze on Jesus Dearest Lord, we see a repeat of the same message here! Help us to enter there to! Joseph’s history is a preview of Christ; first the humbling and then the exaltation; but conditional on the correct mind-set being adhered to! It follows that Christians too must face the many tribulations of this world to enter into the kingdom-the sphere where Love Reigns! The world is the stage for displaying the various workings of the human mind, both good and bad, and the singular providence of God in making use of them for fulfilling his purposes. Though Joseph was his father’s darling, yet he was not bred up in idleness. Those do not truly love their children, who do not use them to business, and labour, and hardships. The fondling of children is with good reason called the spoiling of them. Those who are trained up to do nothing, are likely to be good for nothing. It was most likely that Jacob made known his special love for Joseph due to a difference from the others of dutifulness; look at how readily Joseph follows his father’s orders! Told to go to an identified place to help his brothers, and not finding them there, he sought them out, despite previous rejections experienced! Joseph abides in ‘Keep love in your heart’ commandment….is a preview of Christ; for though he was the beloved Son of his Father, and hated by a wicked world, yet the Father sent him out of his bosom to visit us in great humility and love…His own not only received him not, but crucified him. This he submitted to, as a part of his design to redeem and save us; to be fruitful for the Father. Prayer Starter Do we, who have the vineyard and all its advantages, render fruit in due season, as a people, as a family, or as separate persons? Let us search within….

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

Saturday 23rd March 2019 Micah:7/14-15, 18-20 Psalm: 102/1-4,9-12 (103/1-4, 9-12) Luke: 15/1-3, 11-12 The First Proclamation Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feel in Bashan and Gileard as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob. The Gospel Proclamation The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law bothered that Jesus associated with tax collectors and sinners because they were always careful to stay 'CLEAN' according to the Old Testament Law. They went beyond the law in avoiding certain people in their ritual washings. But Jesus took their 'cleanliness' lightly. He risked defilement by TOUCHING lepers. Jesus came to offer salvation to sinners, to show that God LOVES them. In the story of the 'lost son' what is unusual is that the younger son, initiated the division of his father's estate. This showed arrogant disregard for his father's authority as head of the family. In most cases he would have received

his share at his father's death. The younger son, like many who are rebellious and immature, wanted to be FREE, to live as he pleased, and he had to hit the bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the ONLY ONE who can help them. For a Jew to stoop to feeding pigs was great HUMILIATION, and for this young man to EAT food that the pigs had touched was to be degraded beyond belief. He had truly sunk to the depths. According to Moses' Law, pigs were unclean animals not to be eaten or used for sacrifices. Just as the father watched and waited for his son, ready to greet his son, IF he returned, in the same way, God's love is CONSTANT and patient and welcoming. God waits for us to come to our senses, but He will not FORCE us to come to Him. When the younger son got up and went to his father, the welcome was beyond comprehension. The celebration was unbelievable. The father forgave, because he was filled with love. The older son refused to forgive, because he was bitter about the injustice of it all, according to his thinking. Do not let anything keep us from forgiving others. If you do, you would be missing the wonderful chance to experience joy and share it with others. In Jesus' story, the older brother represented the Pharisees, who were angry and resented that sinners were being welcomed into God's kingdom. When self-righteousness gets in the way, we are no better than the Pharisees. Prayer Starter Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that never fails. Help us to love and forgive others wholeheartedly as You forgive us.

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

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

Sunday 24th March 2019

Third Sunday of Lent

Exodus:3/1-8, 13-15 Psalm: 102/1-4,6-8,11 (103/1-4, 6-8, 11) 1 Corinthians:10/1-6, 10-12 Luke:13/1-9 OR Exodus:17/3-7 Psalm:95/1-2, 6-9 Romans: 5/1-2, 5-8 John: 4/5-42 Introduction Lent is a time given us to repent, turn around and renew our journey of life. The image of God that we have is also included in this process of repentance, turning around and renewal. On this third Sunday of lent we are called upon to open ourselves to the holiness of God How does God reveal His nature of holiness? It is through the relationship He has with His chosen people. Entrance Antiphon I will prove my holiness through you. I will gather you from the ends of the earth; I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins. I will give you a new spirit within you, says the Lord. The First Proclamation Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned

Ps Wk III

up." When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, |Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God....... Prayerful Awareness God begins the revelation of His holiness to Moses while he was engaged to his normal daily work of tending the flock of sheep belonging to his father-inlaw, Hethro. Moses sees a bush on fire but it was not getting burnt down. It was a totally different phenomenon. Something totally "other". Moses is attracted to it and God reveals His presence in that "Otherness". This is the true experience of Holiness. The Presence that Moses experienced identified Himself as the God of his father and as "I Am". God that revealed Himself to Moses is the God who is present with His people in the "NOW". He is "I Am". "I Am" ... with you; .... in you; .... Who loves you; .... Who cares for you. Prayer: O Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to become aware of Your presence in me and me in You NOW. The Gospel Proclamation At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless

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

you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them - do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.'" Gaze at Jesus Sin has its consequences. It flows into and through the generations. No one is exempt from it. Jesus Christ our Lord suffered the consequences willingly for the sake of those whom He loved - humanity. But we can decide to stop sinning so that we and our future generations will be spared the consequences. Jesus reveals to us that we are called to not only stop sinning but also to take the initiative and responsibility to create an environment to stop others from sinning. The holiness of God consists also of always giving a second chance to repent; turn around. The Second Proclamation I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them,

and the rock was Christ, Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example; and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. Our Sonship St. Paul takes our mind back to the experience of the chosen people of God as they journeyed in the desert. They had a very short memory. They took for granted the intervention of God on their behalf in crisis situations. They had to suffer the consequences of their behaviour. Today we are asked to stop and take stock of our journey and become aware of and acknowledge God's role in it. Prayer Starter Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits - who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. For as the heavens are high above the earth, s great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. (Ps.103/14, 6-8, 11)

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

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

Monday 25th March 2019

The Anunciation of the Lord

Isaiah:7/10-14, 8/10 Psalm: 39/7-11 (40/6-10) Hebrews: 10/4-10 Luke: 1/26-38

Gospel Proclamation In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, Here am I, he servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

Our sonship I remember the first Pentecost Rally I attended. The theme of the Rally that year was “I Thirst”. During praise I heard the voice of the Spirit, “Come follow me”. It was such a joyful moment, I was thrilled that I heard a word from the Holy Spirit. After 16 years of service in Kithudana Pubuduwa, I have come to realize that His invitation is also a challenge. However, whenever I pray, God has never failed to bring His word of consolation to me, “I am with you”. I also think of the words in Romans 8:30 “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified”. Therefore, I accept my life with God was predestined. However, when I have to live through the part of “justification” with daily temptations, I struggle and stumble. However, God continually reminds me in prayer that “God is with you”, Therefore, I am hopeful, I will live until I reach the final part of this promise, I will be glorified in eternity. When I recite the Hail Mary, I am reminded, our Blessed Mother lived through this pledge from God so majestically throughout her life. Baptism is the call to all Christians to change. Therefore, let us repent for the many times we have not been attentive to God’s call of salvation. Prayer Starter (Psalm 39: 7-11) "And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool. I am silent; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. Remove your stroke from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand. You chastise mortals in punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is dear to them; surely everyone is a mere breath.

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

Tuesday 26th March 2019 Daniel: 3/25, 34-43 Psalm:24/4-9 (25/4-9) Mathew:18/21-35

The Gospel Proclamation Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seventy times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy seven times. "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, ... and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' and out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, ... came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii....'Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ... But he refused. ... When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and they went and reported to their lord .... Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? And in

anger his lord handed him over to be tortured..... So my heavenly Father will also do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."' Prayerful Awareness This Parable teaches that lesson which runs through all the New Testament--a man must forgive in order to be forgiven. He who will not forgive his fellow-men cannot hope that God will forgive him. "Blessed are the merciful," said Jesus, "for they shall obtain mercy.For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy" Divine and human forgiveness go hand in hand. The contrast between the debts is staggering. The point is that nothing men can do to us can in any way compare with what we have done to God; and if God has forgiven us the debt we owe to him, we must forgive our fellow-men the debts they owe to us. Nothing that we have to forgive can even faintly or remotely compare with what we have been forgiven. We have been forgiven a debt which is beyond all paying--for the sin of man brought about the death of God's own Son--and, if that is so, we must forgive others as God has forgiven us, or we can hope to find no mercy. Prayer Starter Abba Father, we are weak and full of pride and ego and it is not easy for us to forgive and let go. Sometimes we forgive but keep a score which is not the right thing to do, help us to always remember that You forgave us when You gave Your beloved Son to be sacrificed as atonement for our sins which we could never repay and grant us the grace to forgive and forget the wrongs done to us in Jesus' Name we pray.

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

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

Wednesday 27th March 2019 Deuteronomy: 4/1,5-9 Psalm:147/12-13,15-16, 19-20 Matthew: 5/17-19

The Gospel Proclamation Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." Prayerful Awareness Jesus' statement in Gospel proclamation was shocking to the devoted Jewish believer, as the Law was considered as sacred by the Jewish. But Jesus here says that He has come to fulfill the Law and He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. In other words, He is claiming that the goal of Scripture is found in him. This incredibly audacious claim of Jesus leaves no middle ground. He is either self-deluded or he must be taken seriously. If we are to understand the heart, the character, the holiness, the righteousness, and the Will of God, Jesus claims that we must look to Him. He embodies and completes

what the Law had as its goal. He didn't come to offer some cheapened form of grace (Ref. Jude 4 ; 2 Tim. 3: 2-5). Instead, God wants us to look to Jesus and see what He intended in His Law - He wanted to benefit us with His righteousness and bring us closer to Him! The Pharisees, whose job was to ensure that the Law was strictly abided, did not show any sympathy to the poor and the destitute who were struggling to live. God gave Moses the Laws to discipline the unruly people as Laws to be applied to everyone equally, but in reality law makers themselves become the law breakers due to their selfishness and connected actions without love. God is LOVE and LOVE should be the primary criteria of all that comes from God and Jesus fulfilled all laws by adding LOVE as the primary criteria for all laws. Also Jesus gave all a New Commandment to be adhered without fail, to “Love one another as I LOVE you” (John 15:12-17). Not the selfish love of man but the real sacrificial LOVE of God. Prayer Starter We thank and praise God, our Father, for You are Just and Your laws are Just for us to follow for our own benefit and the benefit of our children. Let Your words be the Spirit of our lives, for You have the words of everlasting life. Help us not to let them slip from our memory as long as we live, and help us to teach them to our children and to our children's children. We ask all these through our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

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

Thursday 28th March 2016 Jeremiah:7/23-28 Psalm:94/1-2,6-9 (95/1-2,6-9) Luke: 11/14-23 The Gospel Proclamation Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and he crowds were amazed. But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons." Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? - for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Prayerful Awareness Jesus' enemies were always on the look out for opportunities to attack Him. To achieve this end they resorted to or invented ways. One such was slander. We have a classic example here. They attributed His power to the devil and not to God. Also they charged Him that He was in league with Beelzebul, the

prince of devils. In answer Jesus gave them a crushing blow - a home thrust. He questioned them about the way their own people drove away devils. The argument He put forward was unanswerable. A kingdom in which there is civil war cannot survive. If Beelzebul is lending his power to defeat his own emissaries he is doomed to die. He made it clear that He drove out devils not with the power of devils but with the power of God and that the Kingdom of God had come. Even in our societies it is not uncommon for people to resort to slander when opposition by fair means fails. Slander is so cruel that there is nothing to contradict it. Human nature is such that many prefer the derogatory to the complimentary. Many place themselves on higher pedestals than others, and satiate themselves. How often so many of us waste hours and hours in idle chatter often murdering others' reputation. "God is infinitely good and all His works are good" Yet no one can escape the experience of suffering or the evils of nature which seem to be linked to the limitations proper to creatures; and above all to the question of moral evil. Where does evil come from? 'I sought whence evil comes and there was no solution' said St. Augustine and his own painful quest would only be resolved by his conversion to the living God. For 'the mystery of lawlessness' is clarified only in the light of the 'mystery of our religion'. The revelation of divine love in Christ was manifested at the same time the extent of evil and the superabundance of grace. We must therefore approach the question of the origin of evil by fixing the eyes of our faith on Him who alone is its conqueror. (C.C..C. 385) Prayer Starter Help us to make Your aim ours - 'not only soul salvation but also whole salvation'. Amen.

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

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

Friday 29th March 2016 Hosea:14/2-10 Psalm:80/6-11,14,17 (80/5-7, 8-11, 19-20 Mark: 12/28-34 The First Proclamation Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him "Take away all guilt; accept that which is good; and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy." I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. His shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon. They shall again live beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden, they shall blossom like the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; your faithfulness comes from me. Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. Fix your gaze on Jesus

beliefs we nurture within, the desires we constantly feed, are instrumental in creating our personal realities. Thus, were we to nurture the belief that we receive love, support and affection from our environment (parents, siblings, teachers, nature), then we proceed to encounter the same throughout our lives further strengthening this belief. If on the other hand, were we to nurture the belief that everyone is out to get us, then we live our lives constantly strengthening this belief. As the saying goes, “When you smile at the world, the world smiles back at you”. A foundational truth is that the external reality constantly reflects back to you your own inner reality! Jesus, your reality is that “Creation” is Supportive and Friendly towards “Life”, and you verbalised this belief and experience as 'ABBA'. And was glad when the scribe echoed these sentiments in today's Gospel. The scripture today calls upon us to change our inner reality; our innermost held beliefs and desires. Change from the negativity and the separation/isolation we're chosen initially; Once we change our inner reality, our perception of the external reality too will tend to change and reflect this. And the Lord calls upon us to change internally to align with the True reality- which is the Loving Creator! A positive and loving union with the creation. This creation is loving and supportive of life; is created to bring about intelligence with an awareness of the loving unitive being of All that Is. So, walk on the straight and narrow; be steadfast in your beliefs, and “not be swayed by random currents of air” as the book of Sirach advices.... Prayer Starter

Dear Lord Jesus, coming before this World of Life as revealed to Hosea, You would have rejoiced; for this is the way to experience real life! It takes time, a degree of maturity, Thank You Lord for saving us from to develop the awareness that we be- ourselves(our own choices)! Now guide come what we choose: in other words, us in Your everlasting ways of Life and the thoughts we choose to accept, the Truth....we trust in You....

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

Saturday 30th March 2019 or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who The First Proclamation exalt themselves will be humbled, "Come, let us return to the but all who humble themselves will Lord; for it is he who has torn, and be exalted." he will heal us; he has struck down, Gaze on Jesus and he will bind us up. After two We are human. Weak, sinners, days he will revive us; on the third selfish and our compulsions are sinful. day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let Jesus wants us to be honest, sincere to us press on to know the Lord, his ourselves. Let us like the tax collector appearing is as sure as the dawn; be honest to self and say to God "Lord, he will come to us like the showers, I am weak, a sinner, be merciful to me like the spring rains that water the a sinner." Prayerful Awareness earth. What shall I do with you O If we are honest and sincere to Ephraim? What shall I do with you ourselves like the tax collector, God O Judah? Your love is like a morn- will be merciful to us and we are made ing cloud, like the dew that goes to cry out - Lord have mercy and help away early. Therefore I have hewn me for I am weak, I need your help." them by the prophets, I have killed As the Lord says in the First Proclathem by the words of my mouth, mation, "I desire steadfast love and and my judgment goes forth as the not sacrifice, the knowledge of God light. For I desire steadfast love and rather than burnt offerings." not sacrifice, the knowledge of God Let us therefore return to the Lord rather than burnt offerings. for He has torn that He may heal. He The Gospel Proclamation has stricken. He will bind us up so that He also told this parable to we may live before Him. Let us press some who trusted in themselves that on to the Lord. Prayer Starter they were righteous and regarded others with contempt; "Two men Our God comes and does not keep went up to the temple to pray, one silence, before him is a devouring fire, a Pharisee and the other a tax col- and a mighty tempest all around him. lector. The Pharisee, standing by He calls to the heavens above and himself, was praying thus, 'God, I to the earth, that he may judge his thank you that I am not like other people; thieves, rogues, adulterers, people. (Ps. 50/3, 4) Hosea:6/1-6 Psalm:50/3-4,18-21 (51/1-2, 16-19) Luke: 18/9-14

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

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

Sunday 31st March 2019

Fourth Sunday of Lent PS Wk IV

ites no longer had manna, they ate the Joshua:5/9-12 Psalm:33/2-7 crops of the land of Canaan that year. Prayerful Awareness (34/1-6) It is said that there are two ways 2 Corinthians:5/17-21 of gaining power to live our lives. The Luke: 15/1-3,11-32

Introduction Peace is a yearning of al mankind. We pray for peace; in our hearts, in our families and in our world. There is also the paradox of peace-keeping forces fighting for peace. Jerusalem is by definition the "City of Peace", named as such by King David. As the Entrance Antiphon says we need to celebrate and rejoice in the realty of Jerusalem. We are called upon to have an image of Jerusalem and hold it in our hearts so that God can work through us to make it a reality in His own way and in His own time.

Entrance Antiphon Rejoice Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts.

First Proclamation The Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt." And so that place is called Gilgal to this day. While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israel-

first is through "nature": it indicates intelligence, the sciences, medicine, technology and all the resources that man has received from God to dominate the earth in obedience to Him. The other is "Grace". This is the gifts that we receive from God through our faith in Him. We see in the above reading how the Israelites first receive food through the grace of God and then they make use of their own abilities to provide for themselves the food they require. It is when we have "Jerusalem Peace" - that we have food on the table. In times of conflict and war people starve. We are reminded that we can always return and fall back on the grace of God to be nourished and sustained. Let us read the Gospel proclamation which presents this truth to us. The Gospel Proclamation Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ..... Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me,' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled him-

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

self with the pods that the pigs were eating, .... But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger. I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worth to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him' put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was has been found.'"

Gaze at Jesus We are graced to be the sons and daughters of God. It is a free gift and it becomes our inheritance which is never taken away unless it is voluntarily renounced. Jesus reveals to us that even if we squander all that is ours by right, our sonship is something that is beyond our power to squander. IT is available the moment we turn around and return to the bosom of the Father. We may be dead for all intents and purposes, but the Father's love raises us up to a new life when we return. The Father is overjoyed and He rejoices and celebrates our return. The Second Proclamation So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; beyond, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, but counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Our sanship The new life we are given when we return is IN CHRIST JESUS. It is God's most important and may be the only project He has in from the moment our first parents decided to rely on themselves rather than on God to fufill themselves. The fact that He for our sake made His beloved Son to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him, shows the magnitude of His love for us. Prayer Starter O Holy Spirit, enlighten our hearts to always be conscious of God's reconciling love.

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

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