Walk in the Spirit April 2019 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT April 2019 Volume 04 Issue 16

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

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER April 2019 Faith is the basic gift. It is a call to a new Light that soars above the light of reason or intuition or another inspiration. It opens the way to see and to recognize that there is â&#x20AC;&#x153;another lifeâ&#x20AC;? and consequently to grow in the gift of awareness, recognition, acceptance, giving in, of prayer, to appeal, reception and total surrender and appropriation. Faith implies a darkness too. It is to live the paradox of DARKNESS and LIGHT. It is Faith that will lead us to the Triduum of the Paschal Mystery.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Monday 1st April 2019 Isaiah:65/17-21 Psalm: 29/2,4-6,11 (30/1,3-5,10-12) John: 4/43-54

The Gospel Proclamation

This faith, the Seventh Eye and the Sixth Sense keep on growing my suffering soul into a spiritually filled one and feeds my spiritual infant. Now the spiritually grown infant responds in a different manner. The Gospel proclamation shows us the active faith of the government official. His spirit made him to believe in the promise that Jesus gave him. Not only that, his faith made the path for his family and his servants to believe in Jesus. It speaks to us. When I take one step, God does marvelous deeds to all who surround me, That is by opening the path to a heavenly life. It is the miracle of miracles, turning a soul towards God. It is my duty. Let us hunger for it day by day. As it says in the book of Isaiah, God promises a new earth and heaven. A new life with all His grace for every weak and disappointing experience that we have. The new earth free from slavery. Each and every heart, prosing the greatness of God will be heard from Jerusalem.

... Then he came to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my little boy dies." Jesus said to him, "Go, your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. .... The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said Our sonship to him, "Your son will live." So he As the words spoken in the gospel of himself believed, along with his whole household. Now this was the second St. John and in the book of Isaiah, God sign that Jesus did after coming from invites us to a new life that is totally different to my human nature. It is to Judea to Galilee search God with my thirsty soul and to Prayerful Awareness see God from my eye of faith, Thus in "Unless you see signs and wonders each instance that passes by, my soul will you will not believe" - Is it the same thirst and seek the Will of God. question that Jesus is asking from all Let us pray for all who go through of us today? challenging experiences to have faith Are we all in the same situation, in God. We too should examine our where my problems and sufferings drag responses - whether they are responses me down to the point where I seek for a of faith or responses of a worldly nature. miracle in my daily life? Prayer Starter As far as we believe, Jesus enters Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly into our situation and grants us the new life of faith. We are recreated with His beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. (Ps.29/1...) holy love.

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

Tuesday 2nd April 2019 Ezekiel:47/1-9, 12 Psalm:45/2-3,5-6,8-9 (46/1-5, 7-8) John: 5/1-16

The Gospel Proclamation ... now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Bethzatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids - blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?' The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.... Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured. "It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Take up your mat and walk.' They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take it up and walk'? Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." ....

Prayerful Awareness

After thirty-eight years, this man's

problem had become a way of life. No one had ever helped him. He had no hope of ever being healed; and no desire to help himself. His situation looked hopeless. No matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. God may have special work for you to do in spite of disabilities. Many have ministered effectively to disabled people because they have triumphed over their own hurts. According to the Pharisees, carrying a mat on the Sabbath was work and therefore unlawful. This was just one of the HUNDREDS of rules THEY had added to the Old Testament Law. A man who had not walked for 38 years had been HEALED, but the Pharisees were more concerned about their petty rules, than the life and health of a human being. They were not helping people, they have become stumbling blocks. This man had been lame - paralyzed, and suddenly he could walk. This was a GREAT MIRACLE. The man was delighted to be physically and spiritually healed. God's forgiveness is the GREATEST GIFT man is ever to receive. The Jewish leaders saw BOTH a MIGHTY MIRACLE of healing and a BROKEN RULE. They threw the miracle aside as they focussed their attention on the broken rule, because the rule was more important to them than the miracle. God is prepared to work in our lives, but we can shut out His MIGHTY miracles by limiting our views about how He works. If God stopped every kind of work on the Sabbath, nature would be in chaos and sin would overrun the world.

Prayer Starter

Thank You Lord for giving us the opportunity to do good, even on the Sabbath.

"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 3rd April 2019 Isaiah: 49/8-15 Psalm: 144/8-9,13-14, 17-18 (145/8-9, 13,14,17,18) John: 5/17-30 The Gospel Proclamation Jesus answered them "My Father is still working and I also am working." For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the Sabbath but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God. Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; ....The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell to you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. ......

Prayerful Awareness

In the Ten Commandments God delivered to Moses it is said (Ex. 20:8-11) “Remember to keep Holy the Sabbath Day. Six days you may labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, your God.” As God is Holy, we are called to keep all our thoughts and emotions, all our words, all our works too as Holy and we should

stand for all what is Holy and protect all what is Holy with Love and Mercy as God is full of Love and Mercy. Due to this Great Love God has for mankind, He does not stop showing His Love and Care for us even for a moment. In the story of Creation God created the heavens and earth and all their array were completed in six days, and had then rested (Genesis 1: 1 to 2:1). He had rested from creating, but not from preserving. God preserves man and beast continually. He is working in this manner on every side continually. If He ceases from this work on the Sabbath-day, or on any other day, all creatures would sink into death; for it is God that preserves everything and make everything happen. It is in Him we live, and move, and have our being. Jesus, in curing the paralytic, had done a work of this kind after He had renewed His life from Baptism imparting new strength to him as the Son of God. Thus the Jews were accusing Him of sin for doing works which the Father was always doing, and which He also was always doing; for His Father and He were joined together in every work. The defense Jesus made of His work only brought fresh matter of accusation against Him; because He had called God His Father. Pharisees and the Jewish Church leaders of the time found fault with Jesus of having cured the paralytic, not as an action of Love but as an action of work in order to accuse Him of breaking a Commandment. The First Reading speaks of the Great Love God has to answer us in a time of favor and to help us on the day of salvation.

Prayer Starter

Abba, Father I thank You for Your great Love and Mercy for us. Please forgive all our sins and grant us wisdom through Your Holy Spirit to know all our sins and weaknesses to repent and obtain Your forgiveness in the Name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

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

Thursday 4th April 2019

Memorial of St.Isidore, Bishop & Doctor

Exodus:32/7-14 Psalm: 105/19-23 (106/19-23) John: 5/31-47 Introduction Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively where the central theme is man’s infidelity to our Awesome Almighty Creator God despite all the miracles He has wrought in our lives to date! Gospel Proclamation Were I to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be true; but there is another witness who speaks on my behalf, and I know that his testimony is true. You sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth - ... John was a lamp lit and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave. But my testimony is greater than John's: the deeds my Father has given me to perform, these same deeds of mine testify that the Father has sent me. ... You have never heard his voice, you have never seen his shape, and his word finds no home in you because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. .... Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you. I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else should come in his own name you would accept him. ... Do not imagine that I am going to accuse you before the Father: you have placed your hopes on Moses, and Moses will be the one who accuses you. .... Prayerful Awareness Today’s Responsorial Psalm gives a summary account of what is described

in the First Proclamation of today, as follows: At Horeb they made a calf, bowed low before cast metal; they exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bull. They forgot the God who was saving them, who had done great deeds in Egypt, such wonders in the land of Ham, such awesome deeds at the Sea of Reeds. He thought of putting an end to them, had not Moses, his chosen one, taken a stand in the breach and confronted Him, to turn His anger away from destroying them. (Ps. 106:19-23). In today's Gospel Proclamation we see our Lord Jesus Christ's response to the behaviour of the Jewish leaders of that time. They were skeptical of Jesus because they thought they knew everything about Him. Despite their knowledge of all that had been prophesied about the Messiah in the Scriptures, they were reluctant to acknowledge Him because they were inclined to see only the glorious prophesies and ignore the rest, and considered Him a heretic. Another reason for their rejecting Jesus was because Jesus' teachings were anathema to them, and would have required a complete transformation in their lifestyles which they were extremely reluctant to do. Hence they preferred to reject Him and His teachings and sought to eliminate Him from their midst. Even todate most Jews/Israelites have closed their minds to Jesus and are still awaiting their Messiah. But some Jews, and through them Gentiles who were anointed by the Holy Spirit, came to understand the whole Truth relating to the Messiah. That God's ways are very different to man's ways, and that Jesus Christ had to sacrifice His life to pave the way for His glorious Second Coming! Amen! Alleluia!

"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 5th April 2019

Memorial of St.Vincent Ferrer, Priest

Wisdom:2/1, 12-22 Psalm: 33/17-21, 23 (32/1-2, 5-7) John:7/1-2,10,25-30

The Gospel Proclamation After this Jesus travelled round Galilee; he could not travel round Judaea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. The Jewish feast of Shelters drew near, However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, not publicly but secretly. Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, 'Isn't this the man they want to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have recognised that he is the Christ? Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from.' Then, as Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he cried out: "You know me and you know where I came from. Yet I have not come of my own accord: but he who sent me is true; You do not know him, but I know him because I have my being from him and it was he who sent me". They wanted to arrest him then, but because his hour had not yet come no one laid a hand on him.

Fix your gaze on Jesus

We recall Your proclamation Lord, ‘In the world you shall have tribulations....’, and this truly is the situation for those who go on the inner journey of becoming aware; of journeying towards and coming before the truth. For, once you come to recognise the truth,

you would stand thereby, and refuse steadfastly the falsehood / error that you entertained till then. Jesus, even as You faced persecution from those who were distressed / felt threatened due to the error / falsehood in their belief systems, we too in turn must face the same test, and surmount....by staying in the truth; by choosing to stay blessed...! The situation repeats in the Gospel; the brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Christ proclaimed, that they were in error in their thoughts about his origin. He was sent of God, who showed himself true to his promises. This declaration, that they knew not God, with his claim to peculiar knowledge, provoked the hearers; and they sought to take him, but God can tie men’s hands, though he does not turn their hearts. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The peculiar situation continues; when people differed about Jesus' proclamations and miracles, those who favoured the truth, dared not openly avow their sentiments for fear of reproach and persecution. But those who are contrary, they do speak out! Isn’t this situation repeating in our nation today? What will be your stand? Will you be a prophet and stand up for truth, fairness, equality and justice?

Prayer Starter

In this world, we have trouble Lord, but, You overcame all, and we have this inheritance too....turn us now, that we may enter in to this wonderful strength and light; and experience the Truth, Your Word that sets us free; is the cleansing fire that blesses us...

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

Saturday 6th April 2019 Jeremiah:11/18-20 Psalm:7/2-3.9-12 (7/1-2,8-11) John: 7/40-53

The First Proclamation It was the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!" But you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.

The Gospel Proclamation

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?' The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!" Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law - they are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee".

Prayerful Awareness

Nicodemus spoke in self defence his heart told him to defend Jesus but his head - "Don't take the risk". We've got to love, know and enjoy Jesus and not argue about Him. Views of Jesus may differ but it does not matter so long as we accept Him as Saviour and Lord. After all, the experience is more important than the explanation. To be reckless in defence of Jesus in our hearts - yes, it is better than to be prudent with our heads.

When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there Prayer Starter was a division in the crowd because Help me to bear witness to Thee, of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands both in heart and head. Amen. on him.

"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

Fifth Sunday of Lent Sunday 7th April 2019 PS WK I wild beasts will honour me, jackals Isaiah:43/16-21 and ostriches, because I am putting Psalm:125/1-6 water in the wilderness (rivers in the (126/1-6) wild) to give my chosen people drink. Philippians:3/8-14 The people I have formed for myself John: 8/1-11 will sing my praises. OR Prayerful Awareness Ezekiel:37/12-14 Nothing is impossible with God. Psalm:129/1-8 Not only does He renew everything but (130/1-7) says not to recall the past. If a person Romans: 8/8-11 comes back with repentance He accepts John: 11/1-45 him without any condition opening (OR 3-7,17,20-27,33- doors that we never dream of because it His nature to safeguard and nourish 45) what He has created for which purpose the whole universe sings praise to the Lord. To see the wonder of it we should convert ourselves totally. Our Lord in Introduction total surrender to the Father allowed As we step on to the fifth Sunday Him to work in Him and praised God of Lent the Church is inviting us to at all times. Therefore, let us totally go deeper into repentance. Further, it give ourselves over to God and allow is an invitation for us to take a u-turn Him to work in us too while praising from where we are towards the Lord. Him in face of every event of our lives. St. Paul is reminding us to belong to "O Israel, hope in the Lord! For Christ and to own Him, to have contact with the Lord there is steadfast love, with Him and to encounter Him. One and with him is plenteous redemption" who experiences the Lord naturally (Psalm 130:7). breaks out in praise with newness of The Second Proclamation life. Therefore let us turn from where we are, experience the Lord and enter Indeed I count everything as loss into a life of praise. Let no sin lead us because of the surpassing worth of anymore, drive it away and follow in knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For the foot-steps of our Master. Invoking his sake I have suffered the loss of for the power from on high let us move all things, and count them as refuse, into prayer. in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righThe First Proclamation teousness of my own, based on law, Thus says the Lord, …."No need but that through faith in Christ, the to recall the past, no need to think righteousness of God that depends on about what was done before. See, faith; …but one thing I do, forgetting I am doing a new deed, even now what lies behind and straining forit comes to light; can you not see ward to what lies ahead, I press on it? Yes, I am making a road in the toward the goal for the prize of the wilderness, paths in the wilds. The upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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

Prayerful Awareness St. Paul is addressing the community out of his own experience. He not only met Christ but also related with Him constantly. Therefore he was able to let go of what he until then believed to be good. Moving further and further into the depths of the Gospel he was able to become an authentic disciple of Christ leaving out mere appreciation, praise, prestige and position since the relationship he had with the Abba, Father was something inalienable by anything or anybody. He was able to face every challenge because of the deep and loving intimacy he had with the Father. When he was in relationship with the risen Lord he embodied His presence and fully belonged to Him. In his own words, "I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powersâ&#x20AC;Ś.will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38, 39). At the same breath he points out to the community that to achieve eternal life one has to walk in the footsteps of Jesus the Lord. The Gospel Proclamation â&#x20AC;ŚThe scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law of Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her? â&#x20AC;Ś Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. But when they heard it they went away, one by

one, beginning with the eldest and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." Prayerful awareness According to the Jewish law at least two witnesses were needed to convict a person guilty. Similarly, according to the Law of Moses, both the woman as well as the man caught in adultery should be stoned to death. Yet, in that era, according to the Law of Rabbis, only the woman was considered guilty. The response our Lord gave looking at the woman convicted guilty with merciful eyes surprised everybody present and was powerful enough to change their hearts. It was simply because the Father's Will was being carried out by Him. The sinful woman received forgiveness and love in exchange of sin and also the blessing to sin no more. My sonship Turning from where we are we shall go deeper into our repentance and renew our lives this Lent. Let not the abundant grace bestowed on us go waste since the season into which the Church ushers us is to turn toward Christ, and to experience the love of God rejecting sin with hearts full of repentance. Therefore, let us resolve to make a good confession and renew our lives and now enter into prayer pleading for strength to do so. Prayer Starter Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people. (Ps. 125/1, 2)

"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 8th April 2019 Daniel:13/1-9,15-17, 19-30, 33-62 OR 13/4162 Psalm: 22/1-6 (23/1-6) John: 8/1-11 OR 2 Kings:4/18-21,32-37 Psalm:16/1,6-8, 15 John:11/1-45

The Gospel Proclamation .... Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they?" Has no one condemned

you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and from now on do not sin again."

Prayerful Awareness

According to today's Gospel proclamation they have brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery and told Him that Moses has commanded that such should be stoned and asked for His approval. It was a very well planned plot with no way for escape either way, by agreeing or disagreeing. In that difficult situation, Jesus takes time to go before the Father for guidance by writing on the ground. When they kept on insisting for His decision, he replied, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." By this reply not only did He get out of their plot but also made it an opportunity for making them reflect on their own sinfulness and the absurdity of the Law which did not conform with the commandment of love and compassion required by God. Convinced of their sinful state they abandoned her with Jesus and went away one by one starting with the older people. Since no one was able to condemn her, He told her, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more". By this compassionate attitude Jesus was able to make her experience the compassionate love of God and lead her to repentance.

Prayer Starter

O Holy Spirit You Who led our Lord Jesus in His dealings with people, grant me the awareness to discern Your promptings. Grant me the grace to understand Your compassion towards sinners. Do not permit me to stand in judgement over my brothers and sisters.

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

Tueday 9th April 2019 Numbers: 21/4-9 Psalm: 101/2-3,16-21 (102/1-2, 15-20) John:8/21-30

The First Proclamation From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, .... The people spoke against God and against Moses .... Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us. " So Moses prayed for the people....

Gospel Proclamation

Again he said to them "I am going away and you will search for me, But you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come. " .... He said to them, “You are from below I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world....

Prayerful Awareness

The first reading today shows us a perfect example of our human condition, where we tend to want or crave our sinful life practices, addictions and or the easy life, as we journey to redemption through repentance. We would rather live bounded to sin than going through the struggle of repentance, since freedom is not something that comes easy and it is definitely not easy to maintain either. As is repentance, it is hard to accept that what you thought was right or true are not so. We realize this when we start the journey of repentance, when we go deep and deep in to ourselves, we find that our thought patterns and our actions are being

influenced by our own inner wounds, our personality and our ideologies. So we see the world with these colored glasses. And to repent is to let go of all this and turn to God and bending to His Will. This is a long and hard journey where we have to believe and trust in God’s grace, which is indeed a struggle with our human condition of wanting a quick fix to every problem. It is a struggle for us because we forget the fact that our Father in heaven is a loving and caring Father, that He willingly sent His own Son to redeem us from sin. But sometimes we are not open enough to recognize His love in our lives. We always focus on the bad rather than the good. As in this section the Israelites start to complain about living conditions and lost site and hope for the promised land. But God creates a situation that will make the Israelites realize the need for God. Repentance starts with the belief that we need God and that He can and will heal us and carry us through the struggle. In the Gospel today Jesus tells us “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” We cannot save ourselves on our own perseverance or effort. We need to believe in Jesus Christ. So when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and when we accept Him as our Lord and savior we are halfway on the journey of repentance.

Prayer Starter

Father grant us the gift of faith to hang on to Your grace even in our times of struggle. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we may be made aware of our hidden sin, inner wounds and ideologies. Grant us the strength to stay on the path of repentance. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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

Wednesday 10th April 2019 Daniel:3/14-20,91-92, 95 Psalm: Daniel:3/52-56 (Daniel (Deut.) 1/29-34 OR 3/52-56 John: 8/31-42 First Proclamation And Abram bowed to the ground. God spoke to him as follows, 'For my part, this is my covenant with you: you will become the father of many nations. And you are no longer to be called Abram; your name is to be Abraham, ... I shall make you exceedingly fertile. ... And I shall maintain my covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, as a covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And to you and to your descendants after you, I shall give the country where you are now immigrants, the entire land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity. And I shall be their God.'... Gospel Proclamation In all truth I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death. The Jews said, 'Now we know that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, "Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death." Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?' Jesus answered: "If I were to seek my own glory my glory would be worth nothing; in fact, my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, 'He is our God,' although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say, 'I do not know him,' I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him, and I keep his

word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad." The Jews then said, 'You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!' Jesus replied: "In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am." At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple. Prayerful Awareness God created man to be His extended family to live with Him in love in eternity. Let us meditatively dwell on today’s Proclamations in respect of God’s Plan for man’s redemption, set even before the ‘Creation’, knowing full well that man will abuse God’s gift of free will. The Plan involved choosing a race through who God blessed mankind, and a particular Royal lineage (as described, and foretold, in today’s First Proclamation) through who the Saviour was born in accordance with God’s Holy Plan for the restoration of divine son-ship for mankind through the offering of God’s own self in the form of His only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the atonement for mankind’s sin of disobedience! And God’s Holy Word informs us that the meaning of the name Jesus is, ‘God Saves!’ And Jesus declares whoever keeps His Word will never die, and ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’! referring to His Divinity in Triune God! Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 105:4-9) Seek Yahweh and his strength, tirelessly seek his presence! Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. Stock of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob whom he chose! He is Yahweh our God, his judgements touch the whole world. He remembers his covenant for ever, the promise he laid down for a thousand generations, which he concluded with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

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

Thursday 11th April 2019 Genesis: 17/3-9 Psalm:104/4-9 (105/4-9) John: 8/51-59 First Proclamation And Abram bowed to the ground. God spoke to him as follows, 'For my part, this is my covenant with you: you will become the father of many nations. And you are no longer to be called Abram; your name is to be Abraham, for I am making you father of many nations. ... And I shall maintain my covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, as a covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. .... And I shall be their God.' God further said to Abraham, 'You for your part must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you, generation after generation. Gospel Proclamation

as you yourselves are. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad". The Jews then said, 'You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!' Jesus replied: "In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am." At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple. Prayerful Awareness

God created man to be His extended family to live with Him in love in eternity. Let us meditatively dwell on today’s Proclamations in respect of God’s Plan for man’s redemption, set even before the ‘Creation’, knowing full well that man will abuse God’s gift of free will. The Plan involved choosing a race through who God blessed mankind, and a particular Royal lineage (as described, and foretold, in today’s First Proclamation) through who the Saviour was born in accordance with God’s Holy Plan for the restoration of divine son-ship for mankind through the offering of God’s own self in the form of His only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as In all truth I tell you, whoever a sacrifice for the atonement for mankeeps my word will never see death. kind’s sin of disobedience! And God’s The Jews said, 'Now we know that Holy Word informs us that the meaning you are possessed. Abraham is dead, of the name Jesus is, ‘God Saves!’ And and the prophets are dead, and yet Jesus declares whoever keeps His Word you say, "Whoever keeps my word will never die, and ‘Before Abraham will never know the taste of death." was, I AM’! referring to His Divinity Are you greater than our father in Triune God! Abraham, who is dead? The prophets Responsorial Psalm: are dead too. Who are you claiming (Psalm 105:4-9) to be?' Jesus answered: If I were to seek my own glory my glory would Seek Yahweh and his strength, be worth nothing; in fact, my glory tirelessly seek his presence! Remember is conferred by the Father, by the one the marvels he has done, his wonders, of whom you say, 'He is our God,' the judgements he has spoken. Stock of although you do not know him. But Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob I know him, and if I were to say, 'I whom he chose! .... do not know him,' I should be a liar,

"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

Friday 12th April 2019 Jeremiah:20/10-13 Psalm:17/2-7 (18/1-6) John:10/31-42

The Gospel Proclamation The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?" The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God." Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? If those to whom the word of God came were called 'gods' - and the scripture cannot be annulled can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, 'I am God's Son'? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him and they were saying, "John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." And many believed in him there. Prayerful Awareness Here Jesus is labeled and convicted - labeled a blasphemer and the verdict is passed on Him. The judgement passed

on Him is one sided and the Jews in question did not want to give Him a chance to vindicate Himself. Jesus explained His stand but His words fell on deaf ears. They were stubborn and would not budge their stand. On the part of Our Lord He was not intimated. He faced them but did not evade or run away. Their hostility was met with arguments. He mentioned the good things He had done - feeding the hungry, healing the sick and comforting the sorrowing. Surely these deeds were full of power and help and surely these came not from the evil one but from God. When questioned why they wanted to stone Him the answer was that Jesus was insulting God. The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent Him. They invite belief in Him. To those who turn to Him in faith, He grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does His Father's works; they bear witness that He is the Son of God. But His miracles can also be occasions for "offence", they are not intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic. Despite His evident miracles, some people reject Jesus; He is even accused of acting by the power of demons." (C.C.C.5481). Jesus was sure of His final hour. He was not a coward to avoid or run away from danger. Before the final struggle He liked quietness. Before vital incidents, He always spent time in prayer before the Father. Really He was getting ready for the final act of His life. The place He selected was of vital importance - where He was baptized. It was here that He got the green light from the Father that He had taken the right decision and the right way. When we are faced with extreme life situations, do we take trouble to return to Jesus in whom alone there is comfort and guidance. Prayer Starter My Lord! You never disappoint us. help us to set all our hopes in You alone. Amen.

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

Saturday 13th April 2019 Ezekiel:37/21-28 Psalm:Jeremiah:31/1013 John:11/45-56

The Gospel Proclamation Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation. But one of them Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed." He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death. ....

Prayerful Awareness

Lazarus and the two sisters Martha and Mary are friends of Jesus. He loved them very much and visited them often. When Jesus got the information that His friend is sick, all expected Him to rush to His friend Lazarus. But instead He said this sickness is not going to end up in death but it is for His glory. Having said so, He remained where He was for two more days and then visited the tomb of Lazarus after his body was laid there for four days and raised him from his death. During the early stages of His

ministry Jesus shunned publicity. He regarded it as a hindrance to His work. But later when He was nearing the end of His ministry, He wanted the people to know the real identity of the Son of Man, as Son of God, so that they will have a stronger faith in Him and His ministry. The desired result was that as many of the Jews who came to console the two sisters, witnessed that miracle, began to believe in Him. This disturbed the High Priests and the Pharisees. They feared that if Jesus is not prevented from performing such miracles all the people will believe in Him resulting in the Romans realising that they are losing their hold over their own people, which will finally lead to the Romans stepping in to take the full control of their nation. Their motive in suppressing the ministry of Jesus appears to be partly political and therefore selfish. They summoned the Sanhedrin, their supreme council, to discuss this threat to their nation. Caiphas who was the High Priest at that time presided over the council and uttered a prophesy that the death of one person is better than the perish of the whole nation and the chosen people and they decided to kill Jesus. They opted for the political upliftment without considering the spiritual perish of the chosen people. Accordingly they crucified Jesus but failed to keep Him in that state of death as God the Father raised His Son from the dead. The prophesy and the mission of Jesus is being fulfilled in bringing together more and more believers from all nations into one - the Kingdom of God on earth. The selfish motive to retain political power failed as the Romans later took the full control of their nation.

Prayer Starter

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, proclaim it on distant coasts and say He who scattered Israel now gathers them to them together. Praise the Lord.

"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 14th April 2019

Psalm Sunday PS WK II back to those who struck me, and For Procession: my cheeks to those who pulled out Luke:19/28-40 the beard; I did not hide my face For Mass: from insult and spitting. The Lord Isaiah: 50/4-7 God helps me, therefore I have not Psalm: 22/7-8,16-19, been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I 22-23 shall not be put to shame; Philippians:2/6-11 Prayerful Awareness Luke: 22/14-23, 56 "Come to me, all who labour and OR 23/1-49 are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). With these words the Lord provided comfort and strength to the people burdened Introduction under different forms of hard labour Passing through a five week period and weariness. It was the relationship of repentance we have arrived at Palm He had with the Father that enabled Sunday on which we joyfully celebrate Him to do this for which purpose He the paschal mystery of our Lord. Today presented Himself before the Father the Church commemorates Christ's every morning. entry into Jerusalem for the purpose of The Lord Jesus well aware that bringing into completion the work of He has been chosen by God from all salvation through suffering, death and eternity to be the Savior of the people resurrection. under severe persecution and oppresAlthough suffering and death stand sion of the prevailing social norms and out as signs of suffering, the experience traditions in human social domain and of Christ in journeying through them state of bringing them true redemption, has been marked out as our gate of sal- step on to walk the journey designed vation. Therefore let us turn to reflect by God. on the day's proclamations expressing The constant relationship He mainour desire to join our life sufferings tained with the Father enabled Him to with the suffering of Christ on the experience the maternal and paternal cross and with the Lord walking along love of God throughout His way of the way of salvation thereby hoping the cross confronting the most arduous to participate in the new life granted and terrific slander, calumny, scourging through His resurrection. and suffering with much courage and grit. No doubt He made no resistance From the First Proclamation and neither did He turn away from the The Lord has given me the terrific experiences He faced from the tongue of a teacher that I may know moment He entered Jerusalem until and how to sustain the weary with a when on Calvary for the simple reason word. Morning by morning he wak- that He was filled with this binding ens my ear to listen as those who are experience with the Father. taught. The Lord God has opened The Gospel Proclamation my ear, and I was not rebellious. I did not turn backward. I gave my Please read the passion narrative of

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

our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke and engage in reflection. Gaze on Jesus In reading the Gospel of the day we find how Jesus made Man, completed the most arduous and formidable journey to the end as willed by God. According to the Gospel of St. Luke that highlights the difference between the Jewish Pasch and the Lord's Supper, the cup is being offered twice (22:17, 20), the significance of which means the commemoration of the New Testament that God made with His people. Also the Gospel gives in context the full narrative of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Olive while emphatically proclaiming how valiantly Jesus went through this bitter experience of suffering. Let us enter into the inner experience and the heart of Jesus who changed the bitter journey according to the narratives of the evangelists into a glorious venture of glorifying God. Let us gaze at Him in prayer and see through His inner experience throughout this holy week to comprehend the way of experiencing a fire and a blessing in fulfilling the Will of God. The Second Proclamation who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Prayerful Awareness In focusing on the second proclamation of the day we come to see the attitude of emptying oneself in Jesus which means that He did not use the majesty, power, glory and other privileges of divine inheritance for His own benefit. And the same is also made obvious even through the other proclamations. Here the Lord Jesus condescended into the state of a slave, the lowest state of humanity with no right or privilege. Yet, the Christological Hymn declares that God raised Him up and gave Him the Name which is above all other names as His most beloved Son. Gaze at us Many are the challenges and sufferings involved in the tremendous task of a servant mediating to carry the word of God to the people. In reflecting on the life experience of Jesus who achieved victory through the deep experience of God presented in the proclamations, we come to face a great challenge. Where am I with my sufferings, struggles and vulnerabilities in my faith journey I have entered into inheriting divine son-ship? Christian discipleship is a way of the cross that requires experiencing faith, hope and love. Mother Mary and the community at the foot of the cross that day experienced at the reign of darkness that the gates have instantly been opened to see love in suffering and hope in death through the eyes of faith. Prayer Starter I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

"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 15th April 2019 Isaiah: 42/1-7 Psalm:26/1-3, 13-14 (27/1-3, 13-14 ) John: 12/1-11

The First Proclamation Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights. I have put my spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. ... a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench, ... He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth, and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, .... I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you, I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

The Gospel Proclamation

... Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples .... said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" .... Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came

not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Gaze at Jesus

Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and the anointment of the feet of Jesus by Mary were two instances the Pharisees and the Chief Priests could not bear, because many Jews believed in Jesus and followed Him. Mary of Bethany was so taken up by Jesus' teachings that she anointed the feet of Jesus with costly and fragrant ointment that disturbed men of the calibre of Judas the Iscariot, one of the disciples who later betrayed Jesus. As Jesus says, "Judge not that you may not be judged", so he said to Judas "Leave her alone, the poor you have with you always but you do not always have me." All things are evil to the evil mind. Judas found fault with Mary for anointing with costly ointment, not that he cared for the poor but had been a thief greedy of money and so his conscience pricks the mind. Those whom the Lord has chosen He upholds and puts His Spirit upon them as stated in the First Proclamation. The chosen one brings justice and they do not fail nor be discouraged till they establish justice on the earth and the Lord says, "I have called you in righteousness. I have taken you by hand and kept you" and the chosen ones are the covenant to the people - a light to the nations to open the eyes of the blind and also they are empowered to bring out the prisoners who sit in distress.

Prayer Starter

Lord, Thy steadfast love is before my eyes. Prove me Lord and try me. Test my heart and mind. Let me walk in faithfulness to Thee O Lord. Amen.

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

Tuesday 16th April 2018 Isaiah:49/1-6 Psalm:70/1-6, 15, 17 (71/1-6,15-17) John:13/21-33,36-38 The First Proclamation Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ...... The Gospel Proclamation But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said

to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples. "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her. Prayerful Awareness Jesus the Lord of the Universe appears to Mary. Mary loved Jesus the Son of Man and respected Him as her Teacher. She goes into an emotional high as she recognises Jesus, but Jesus very gently reminds her that He is God. "Do not hold me" He says "For I have not yet ascended to my Father". The Holy Spirit empowers Mary and she goes and announces the revelation to the disciples. If we read John 20/27, Thomas is challenged to believe and he exclaims, "My Lord and my God." In today's First Proclamation Peter very clearly preaches, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Gaze at my sonship What is my faith level? Do I seriously believe in the mystery that is Christ? In other words, Christianity? If so, why am I shy to proclaim loud and clear 'My Lord and my God' at the Eucharistic celebration? Have I given the resurrected Lord full control in my life? Do I recognise Jesus in my brother, sister and neighbour? Prayer Starter Lord I believe. help my unbelief .....

"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 17th April 2019 meal with the twelve disciples. Isaiah:50/4-9 Our sonship Psalm:68/8-10.21-22, 31, 33, 34 Judas had the opportunity to live (69/7-9.20-21,30,32-33) a transformed life like the rest of the disciples. Instead he exchanged his own Mathew: 26/14-25

Gospel Proclamation Then .... Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. ... On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, my time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ... When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; ... and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

Gaze at Jesus’ Sonship

In the Gospel today, Judas Iscariot bargains Jesus’ life to 30 silver pieces. Knowing Judas was going to betray Him, Jesus still stays firmly committed to His mission as He partakes His last

life’s inheritance of grace abound to one of condemnation. Today being the last day of Lent and we will begin Holy Week from tomorrow. Season of Lent gave us the opportunity to reflect on our own values within our paradigms. There are many ways in which we betray Jesus who is in our life. Like Judas, we too are very quick to prioritize our selfish wants. Isaiah in the first reading today prophesy about Jesus. In it is the mind of Christ who was to come in the service in God. Therefore, during Holy Week when we reflect even more closely about our iniquities, let us pray that we will be blessed with an attitude like Christ.

Prayer Starter (Isaiah 50: 4-9)

The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary. Every morning he makes me eager to hear what he is going to teach me. The Lord has given me understanding, and I have not rebelled or turned away from him. I bared my back to those who beat me. I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled out the hairs of my beard and spat in my face. But their insults cannot hurt me, because the sovereign Lord gives me help. I brace myself to endure them. I know that I will not be disgraced for God is near, and he will prove me innocent. Does anyone dare to bring charges against me, let us go to the court together let him bring his accusation! The sovereign Lord himself defends me. Who then can prove me guilty

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

Thursday 18th April 2019 Exodus:12/1-8,11-14 Psalm:115/12-13,15-18 (116/12-13,15-18) 1 Corinthians:11/23-26 John: 13/1-15

Introduction Holy Thursday, a day of special significance in the saving work of Jesus Christ is of immense importance to us. It was a day on which our Lord, the Teacher and Master, proclaiming the servant leadership to the world washed the feet of the disciples, surrendered Himself for the salvation of whole humanity and performed many acts of sublime value such as instituting the Holy Eucharist that offers His body as food for the life of man, beginning of the Eucharistic celebration and priestly ordination. Through them He also calls us to a deep communal life of self giving. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for a special touch that would make us adequate for the task. The Gospel Proclamation ... Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas ... to betray him. And during supper Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet ... he came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet" Jesus answered, "You do not know now, what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to

Holy Thursday him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet, only but also my hands and my head!" Prayerful Awareness Clearly seeing and feeling the pangs of cruel death and suffering He is destined to face in a little while, the Lord Jesus Christ allows God the Father to envelope Him in His ocean of love. Most sublime is the great power He was equipped with to experience inner peace, joy and resilience under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and without succumbing to any of the above to face them bravely and also to love everybody even the disciple by whom He was betrayed with the same love of the Father! "This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me " is the account presented through St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians of the supper of the Lord. Sacrificing His body and blood for our sake He calls us to an experience of deep love in communion. Washing the feet of the disciples shown forth through the Gospel proclamation is an invitation for us to truly cross over to servant leadership. Towards us Accepting our vocation to enliven the sacrifice of our Lord, let us come to realize the incomparable value of the Blessed Sacrament and the Eucharistic Celebration. Freeing ourselves from the worldly values and frailties we are stuck in let us resolve to spend ourselves for others in a deep communion of love. Let us labour under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to see a total transformation within the nation at political, social, economical and family level according to the will of God. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, empower us to fill ourselves with the same intense love of Yours in order to offer it to others.

"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 19th April 2019

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Isaiah:52/13-53/12 Psalm:30/2,6,12-13 15-17, 25 (31/1,5,11,12,14-16, 24) Hebrews:4/14-16;5/79 John:18/1-19,42

The First Proclamation Look, my servant will prosper, will grow great, will rise to great heights. As many people were aghast at him -- he was so inhumanly disfigured that he no longer looked like a man- .... Like a sapling he grew up before him, ... He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts; he was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard. Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing, ours the sorrows he was carrying...... and we have been healed by his bruises. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh brought the acts of rebellion of all of us to bear on him. Ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb before its shearers he never opened his mouth.... It was Yahweh's good pleasure to crush him with pain; if he gives his life as a sin offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his life, and through him Yahweh's good pleasure will be done.... for having exposed himself to death and for being counted as one of the rebellious, whereas he was bearing the sin of many and interceding for the rebellious.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Holy Lord, journey us forth to comprehend the Joy and the Agony of Your Passion…. Here begins that wonderful, minute, and faithful description of the office, character, and glory of the Messiah, which has struck conviction to many of the most hardened unbelievers. Christ is Wisdom itself; the Supreme Intelligence, perfectly grounded, and is the foundation of this creation; simple to understand that, as it is the Living Word that manifested the Creation to Be! He is the Linchpin upon which every blessed thing rests. In the work of our redemption, the appearing of God in a manner that enabled us (humanity) to see is the wisdom of God; it is a mystery, and yet is perfectly revealed! He came to give Sight to the Blind; to liberate those Enslaved.... Those that saw Him said, Surely never has man looked so miserable: never was sorrow like unto his sorrow. But God highly exalted Him. And the power of Christ once shedding his blood for sinners still continues. May all opposers see the wisdom of ceasing their opposition, and choose to be made partakers of the blood of sprinkling, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost; obeying Him, and praising his salvation. We were His purpose; giving sight to us and redeeming us His objective; and this purpose shall be fulfilled… Do we want to go along? Choose that which is good and liberating for ourselves….

Prayer Starter

Thank you blessed Lord for your magnanimity and wisdom; may we be given the anointing to open up to Your Love and Acceptance.… Your Word, Your Will bringing upon us the Cleansing Fire showing our Blessings....

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

Saturday 20th April 2019

Holy Saturday

anoint the body of Jesus in the tomb had 1.Genesis:1/1-2/2 OR to wait till the Sabath is over as even 1/1, 26-31 that will be treated as breaking the SaPsalm:103/1-2, 5-6, bath. Hence early in the morning on the 10,12-14,24,35 OR following day, they brought spices and were wondering how to remove the big 32/4-7,12-13,20, 22 2.Genesis:22/1-18 OR stone placed at the entrance to the tomb. But when they reached the tomb they 22/1-2,9,10-13,15-18 found the stone removed and an angel Psalm:15/5,8-11 in white told them that Jesus who was 3.Exodus:14/15-15/1 crucified has been rised from the dead as Psalm:Exodus:15/1foretold by Him. (Mark 14/27-28), and 6, 17-18 that He will be in Galilee before them for 4.Isaiah:54/5-14 a reunion with the dispersed disciples. He wanted them to pass on this good news Psalm:29/2,4-6,11-13 to Peter and the other disciples. But they (30/1,3-5,10-12) just went away and did not give this news 5.Isaiah:55/1-11 to any one through fear and excitement. Psalm: Isaiah:12/2-6 Instead the Risen Lord Himself appeared 6.Baruch:3/9-15,32, 4/4 first to one of these women and then to Psalm:18/8-11 two disciples at Emmaus and finally to Peter and the other ten disciples. He com(19/7-10) missioned these eleven to carry on the 7.Ezekie:36/16-28 work of His ministry to cover the whole Psalm:41/3,5; 42/3,4 world. These appearances are sufficient (42/2,4; 43/3,4) evidence of His Resurrection. 8.Romans:6/3-11 In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul goes further Psalm:117/1-2,16-17,22-23 and says that Jesus died for our sins in (118/1-2,16-17,22-23) accordance with the Scriptures and was raised fulfilling the Scriptures again. Luke:24/1-12 He adds that he too is a witness to His The First Proclamation resurrection, since He appeared to him Please read Romans 6/3-11 prayer- inspite of his disbelief. He argues that if there is no Resurrection and if Jesus is not fully. resurrected, our faith in God is in vain The Gospel Proclamation and our hope for our own resurrection and .... Marry Magdalene ... brought the resurrection of the already departed perfumed oils with which they intend- will also be in vain. All the preachings ed to go and anoint Jesus .... When and the whole Church will be of no use. they looked, they found that the stone The Resurrection of Jesus is the basis had been rolled back. .... This fright- for our creed. ened them thoroughly, but he reasPrayer Starter sured them: "You need not be amazed! Through Baptism we have become You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was crucified. He has been children of God and gained fellowship raised up; he is not here..... Go now with Jesus and through His death we too have experienced death to our old and tell his disciples.... " sinful self and buried with Him. Praise Prayerful Awareness be to God for this resurrection and our The two women who wanted to salvation through it.

"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 21st April 2019

Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection

Acts:10/34, 37-43 Psalm: 118/1-2,16-17, 22-23 Colossians:3/1-4 OR 1 Corinthians:5/6-8 John: 20/1-9 OR Luke:24/1-12

Introduction Today is Easter Sunday which is the feast of the Pass over which means passing over or crossing over from slavery to freedom, from sin to the sphere of the Will of God and from injustice to justice. Death is the consequence of sin while the result of conforming to the Will of God is eternal life, the resurrection. Today is the solemn celebration of the victory won by Jesus Christ, freeing us from slavery of death and passing us over to eternal life, the day on which we receive the fullness of grace bestowed upon us during the forty days of Lent as well as throughout the Holy Week. Therefore let us come to thank and praise God Almighty who is our Abba Father on this special day and wish all whom we encounter and come into contact with Alleluiah! - wishing that they may enjoy God's choicest blessings. Keeping all these in mind let us now enter into prayer with the Holy Spirit.

The First Proclamation

Then Peter began to speak to them, "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ - he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea,

beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea, and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Prayerful Awareness

St. Peter, the very person who denied Jesus thrice during His bitter passion, who went into hiding when Jesus died on the cross is now filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit as to bear witness to His Resurrection. Surrendering himself to the action of the Holy Spirit with the Risen Lord encounter, he courageously bears witness to His Resurrection. The statement of St. Peter "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality"; is obviously the result of his encounter with the Lord. He was so open to the power of the Resurrected Christ that the impact of his first and the second sermons was effective in converting three thousand and five thousand people consecutively (Acts 2:41; 4:4). And as the Acts of the Apostles testifies when the sick were brought for Peter's shadow to fall on them they received healing (Acts 5:15- 6).

The Gospel Proclamation

Early on the first day of the week,

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

while it was still dark Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple ran out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there and the clothes that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed, for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Prayerful Awareness

Let us present ourselves to the solemn moment of the Lord Jesus, having totally accomplished the Will of the Abba Father rising from the dead magnificently. "I glorified you on earth, by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed". (John 17:4-5). It was the high priestly prayer of Jesus before His death and how sublime is the Father's response to that prayer? Amen! Alleluia!

The Second Proclamation

When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Prayerful Awareness The sharing of St. Paul's experience with the Colossian community is presented to our community today. In it, where should our focus be and what should be our wish? Let us awaken ourselves. St. Paul declares that the Christian community that has been resurrected with Christ has inherited eternal life. And we are called to come to communion with the Lord experiencing death to sin through repentance and enjoy the Pass over experience. That is to participate in a life of resurrection and to give witness to all of the above in the Holy Spirit personally, as a family and as a community.

Our sonship

In the foot-steps of St. Peter in the first proclamation and St. Paul in the second proclamation let us be witnesses to the Resurrection of the Lord. O Holy Spirit, the first fruit of the paschal mystery of our Lord (suffering, death and resurrection), we are simply at the gate of death not only personally but also as a nation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a people centered on secularity and addicted to an almost inhuman lifestyle. The whole arena of politics is dragging us to a dark abyss. O Holy Spirit, You who made us heirs of the victory of the Lord's death on the cross by choosing us from this land showing no partiality, pass us over to be a community filled with the power of His Resurrection to convert this land dead in sin to a land filled with the life of Your Resurrection. Bestow on us a Holy Easter! Amen! Alleluia!

So if you have been raised with Christ seek the things that are above, Prayer Starter where Christ is, seated at the right O give thanks to the Lord, for he is hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are good; his steadfast love endures forever! This is the day that the Lord has on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps.118/1, 24)

"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 22nd April 2019 Acts:2/14, 22-33 Psalm: 15/1-2, 5,7-11 (16/1,2,5,7-11) Mathew:28/8-15

The First Proclamation But Peter, ... addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. "... Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, .... you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken, therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced, moreover my flesh will live in hope. ... Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, ...' This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. The Gospel Proclamation So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came

to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You must say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep." If this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.

Gaze on Jesus

As the saying goes, "Come what may truth prevails." Nothing can sabotage the truth. Even though the authorities bribed the soldiers and ordered them to cook up a story that the disciples came by night and removed the body, had no forceful effect on the people for many had seen Jesus in Galilee. Some did not believe but had doubts. Jesus spoke to them and said, "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teach them to observe all my teachings. I am with you till the close of the age." The authority of Jesus prevails and they could not distrust it. Let us fix our eyes on the Risen Lord who is truly present. let us seek His help and not the worldly authorities.

Prayer Starter

Lord he who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks the truth from his heart prevails forever and nothing could deter him from proclaiming the truth. Amen.

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

Tuesday 23rd April 2019 (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples. "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them The First Proclamation that he had said these things to her. Therefore let the entire house of Prayerful Awareness Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and MessiJesus the Lord of the Universe ah, this Jesus whom you crucified." appears to Mary. Mary loved Jesus the Now when they heard this, they Son of Man and respected Him as her were cut to the heart and said to Teacher. She goes into an emotional Peter and to the other apostles, high as she recognises Jesus, but Jesus "Brothers, what should we do?" very gently reminds her that He is God. Peter said to them, "Repent, and "Do not hold me" He says "For I have be baptized every one of you in the not yet ascended to my Father". The name of Jesus Christ so that your Holy Spirit empowers Mary and she sins may be forgiven; and you will goes and announces the revelation to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ...... the disciples. If we read John 20/27, Thomas is The Gospel Proclamation challenged to believe and he exclaims, But Mary stood weeping outside "My Lord and my God." the tomb. As she wept, she bent over In today's First Proclamation Peter to look into the tomb; and she saw very clearly preaches, "Let all the two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at house of Israel therefore know asthe head and the other at the feet. suredly that God has made him both They said to her, "Woman, why are Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you you weeping? " She said to them, crucified." Gaze at my sonship "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have What is my faith level? Do I selaid him." When she had said this, riously believe in the mystery that is she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know Christ? In other words Christianity? If so, why am I shy to proclaim loud that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, and clear 'My Lord and my God' at the "Woman why are you weeping? Eucharistic celebration? Have I given Whom are you looking for?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said the resurrected Lord full control in to him, "Sir, if you have carried him my life? Do I recognise Jesus in my away, tell me where you have laid brother, sister and neighbour? Prayer Starter him, and I will take him away." Jesus Lord I believe. help my unbelief ..... said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" Acts: 2/36-41 Psalm:32/4-5,18-20,22 (33/4-5,18-20, 22) John:20/11-18

"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 24th April 2019 Acts:3/1-10 Psalm: 104/1-4, 6-9 (105/1-9) Luke: 24/13-35

The Gospel Proclamation Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, ... and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ... Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?' They stood still, looking sad. ..."Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, ... and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. .... As they came near the village ... he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over."... When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.....

Prayerful Awareness

they were walking in the wrong direction - away from the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem. We are likely to miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers when we become preoccupied with our dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst will we experience the POWER and HELP He can bring. The news of Jesus' crucifixion had spread throughout Jerusalem. This was not a small, insignificant event, affecting only the disciples - the whole nation was interested. The believers from Emmaus were counting on Jesus to redeem Israel - to rescue the nation from its enemies, a military and political Messiah; they did not realize the Messiah had come to redeem people from SLAVERY TO SIN. When Jesus died, therefore, they LOST all HOPE. They did not understand that Jesus' death offered the GREATEST HOPE possible. Jesus called these believers "foolish" because even though they knew the Biblical prophecies, they failed to understand that CHRIST'S SUFFERING was the PATH to GLORY and why God did not intervene to save Jesus from the CROSS. After the two disciples explained their sadness and confusion, Jesus responded by going to scripture. When we are puzzled by problems, we too can go to scripture and find authoritative help. Christ is the thread woven through all the scriptures, the central theme that binds them together. After dinner in Emmaus, Jesus revealed Himself to these men and then disappeared. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the disciples the GOOD NEWS that Jesus WAS ALIVE!

The two disciples returning to Emmaus, at first missed the significance Prayer Starter of history's greatest event because they were too focussed on their disappointAlmighty Father, we turn our cares, ments and problems. In fact they did not problems and frustrations to You. Help recognize Jesus when He was walking us to trust You with the struggles we face. beside them. To compound the problem,

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

Thursday 25th April 2019 Acts:3/11-26 Psalm: 8/2,5-9 (8/1, 4-8) Luke:24/35-48

The Gospel Proclamation Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; ... and when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you - that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." ...

Prayerful Awareness

The Pharisees, Scribes and the chief priests thought Jesus is finished, once and for all after the crucifixion. But to their amazement, Jesus Christ is risen from the cross and He is living amidst all of us. Jesus was limited to His hometown Jerusalem, but now He is the resurrected Lord and He is living throughout the whole Universe. Such was the tribute granted to Him by the Father God, Now He is our living God. Place and time

are no problem, we could meet and associate with Him whenever we want and cultivate a lasting relationship with Jesus. Moreover we could receive Jesus by way of the Holy Eucharist as often as we could during the innumerable Masses we offer in our churches. Jesus never deserted His followers (disciples). Soon after His Resurrection He continued to appear before His disciples and confirmed that He is in their midst. Today's Gospel is one such appearance. The two disciples could not recognize the risen Lord, until He had broken bread with them. They share what they have felt along the way - "Were not our hearts burning?" Jesus explains the scriptures to open their minds and He said to them "Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you. Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled." Scriptures are still needed to understand and believe all that has happened to Jesus. Once they understand and believe, they are bound to proclaim repentance and forgiveness and give witness to Jesus all over the world. The first proclamation confirms us that Jesus is the Lord of life, once killed and now alive, raised by God. What the disciples do, they do in the power of His Name calling those who witness this goodness to repentance and to turn from evil. Today's scripture readings make us aware how God loves us through His Son Jesus. Do I open the mind of others about scripture? They must be our food & drink, our life line and our life blood to be studied and shared with others as Jesus does with His community.

Prayer Starter

Holy Spirit guide me to convey the Good News of salvation and also to witness the resurrection of Jesus Christ to all. 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 26th April 2019 Acts:4/1-12 Psalm:117/1-2, 4, 22-27 (118/1-2,4,22-27) John:21/1-14

The First Proclamation While they were still talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, ... But many of those who had listened to their message became believers; the total number of men had now risen to something like five thousand. It happened that the next day the rulers, elders and scribes held a meeting in Jerusalem ... and all the members of the high-priestly families. They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, 'By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?' Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, 'Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple and asking us how he was healed, you must know, all of you, and the whole people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, and God raised from the dead, ... that this man stands before you cured. This is the stone which you, the builders, rejected but which has become the cornerstone. ... Fix your gaze on Jesus Dearest Spirit of God, You who resides within, encourage us to accept the Truth…

The apostles preached of Jesus, of the resurrection of the dead. Resurrection included all the happiness of the destined state; which could only be had through Jesus the Christ. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also! The harmless and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when wicked men have escaped. And to this day reading the Scriptures, social prayers, and religious conversations meet with frowns and checks. But if we obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us. Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the “Name and Power” of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish forever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, whereby believers alone are saved from the wrath to come. Beware! When covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, and men seek to build their own kingdoms and shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; against “What Is”; of a certainty expect ruin and death.

Prayer Starter

“What Is”, is Good; and is beneficial for the journey towards the “Truth”. Let’s start, go our journey of becoming aware, of leaning to 'handle' the inner processors, making our momentary choices better, in alignment with 'WhatIs'; the 'Kingdom of Love'…

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

Saturday 27th April 2019 Acts:4/13-21 Psalm: 117/1,14-21 (118/1,14-21) Mark:16/9-15

The First Proclamation Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John ..., they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. .... So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ... "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard". After threatening them again, they let them go, ....

Gaze on Jesus

What is the reason for the fear of the Sanhedrin and the courage of the two disciples Peter and John? The Sanhedrin was not with Jesus while the two disciples were "companions of Jesus". (Acts 4:13). The rulers of the people, the elders and scribes wondered at the boldness of Peter and John when the told them that there is salvation only in Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12), the Son of the living Father. Peter and John were ordinary, uneducated fishermen devoid of position or authority. What is astonishing is the courageous way they faced the Sanhedrin. Peter and John were not at all afraid of them "because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened (Acts 4:21) - and this is why the Sanhedrin feared the people. To forbid Peter and John to preach, the Sanhedrin devise a plan. "Let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. (Acts 4:17). The apostles did not need to plan out a devise. They knew how and what

to answer, because they totally depended on the word of God. "When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak, what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Mathew 10:19-20) How wonderful it is to note that Mary Magdalene the well-known sinner, transformed and forgiven by Jesus, became the first witness of the Risen Christ. She was an ardent messenger of Jesus Christ. In the eyes of the world can this ever be? But it all happened that way and it is a clear example of how the Lord looks at a converted sinner, no more a slave but a son or a daughter. And His love is limitless and unconditional. Our Lord's command to us in today's liturgy of the Word: "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15) Here lies the answer to the question "Why do we come to the Church? To pray, to hear Mass, to receive Holy Communion." All these are good answers. But the complete answer is that we go there to go out of it.

Gaze at my sonship

How near and committed are we to this call of Our Lord? The Lord accepts us as we are. "Bloom where you are planted." The preaching by word and deed expected of us is not just a simple call. He expects and wants us to bear fruit with the opportunities and talents He has made available to us, irrespective of social standing, colour or education. We have to preach and obey His law. When there is a conflict between divine and human law, we have to obey the divine laws. It is the Holy Spirit who guides and fills us with His power to bear witness.

Prayer Starter

Give us, who have been born again in Baptism, undying life. Make us messengers of Your unconditional love.

"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 28th April 2018 Second Sunday of Easter OR (of Divine Mercy) Acts: 5/12-16 Psalm:117/2-4,22-27 (118/2-4,13-15,22-27) Revelation:1/9-13, 17-19 John:20/19-31

Introduction In subjection to the Will of God Christ our Lord who fulfilled His mission of conquering death and rising again is alive and present among us. And on this Second Sunday of Easter, Holy Mother the Church invites us to encounter and witness to Him. As made obvious through the witnessing aspect of the early Christian community, a recipient of the Holy Spirit is a person bearing witness to the inheritance of His divine son-ship. The author of the Apocalypse depicting the life of Jesus Christ declares as follows that the indestructible divine Son-ship is a power that can conquer death: "I was dead and now I am alive forever and ever". The man who surrenders his life to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the community filled with the Holy Spirit leads a life of deep communion through unity, oneness of heart and mind, sharing, abandoning and keeping all things in common. Declaring this day as Divine Mercy Sunday the Church is also inviting us to focus on the Lord full of mercy. Let us plead with the Lord who redeemed the poor, the vulnerable, the helpless and the sinner for power to show mercy to others while ourselves experiencing His mercy.

The First Proclamation

Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the

rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

Prayerful Awareness

The first proclamation of the day shows forth how the disciples proclaimed through their lives the grace bestowed on them to give witness while experiencing the risen Lord. A great number of people came to believe in the Lord by seeing the signs and wonders worked through them as a result of experiencing the risen Lord in the same place that they assembled daily and entered into dialogue on their day to day activities. The immense power they possessed is made clear by way of bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits to them for healing.

The Gospel Proclamation

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said the, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you," When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

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

Prayerful Awareness The disciples experienced the joy, freedom and peace manifested at the abiding presence of God when He appeared to them at a moment they were engulfed in fear and fright. The statement "Peace be with you" repeated twice shows His penetrating glance at their hearts. He sent forth the disciples to proclaim the Gospel as the recipients of a Christ encounter also conferring on them the mission entrusted to Him by the Father saying, "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you". For which purpose He offered them the Holy Spirit. He commissioned them with the mission of making holy the people of God also teaching them that the gift of the Holy Spirit is forcibly to empower them for the mission. Believing in the Lord present with them strengthening and empowering them for the cause of the Kingdom of God they proclaimed the Good News of the risen Lord with their whole life.

The Second Proclamation

I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, "Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, ... Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands, I saw one like the Son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Now write what you have seen, what is, and

what is to take place after this.

Prayerful Awareness

The book of Apocalypse contains a narrative through which the hidden knowledge of heaven, hell, the universe and future is revealed by means of visions and prophecies. These visions are not directly seen by the author but revealed to him by a being such as an angel, Christ or one sent from heaven. While the salient point of the message is being presented by these mediators, symbolic language displays the meaning of the visions, objective of which is to provide courage and comfort to the suffering community in order to confirm them in their faith. Even through the second proclamation of the day we find St. John offering a similar revelation: "Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the living One. I was dead and now I am to live forever. And I hold the keys of death and of the underworldâ&#x20AC;Ś."

Our sonship

Are we contented with the life of witnessing to Christ as a person equipped with a Christ encounter and constant contact with Him? Can the signs and wonders manifested through the disciples with a Christ encounter be seen through our lives too? Does having seen us help increase the number of Christ's believers? Let us see where we are and awaken ourselves to the responsibility of being a Christ disciple. Reflecting on the weak points of our life as a person with a Christ encounter let us repent, experiencing the Lord present among us and share the joy and freedom we receive from Him. Let us gaze on the Lord's consoling words of "Peace be with you"; in face of pain, struggle and suffering and pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to get out of the fear and fright we are still engulfed in.

Prayer Starter

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

"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 29th April 2019 Acts:4/23-31 Psalm:2/1-9 John:3/1-8

Gospel Proclamation There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night ..."Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above". Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born"? Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. ...

Prayerful Awareness

Nicodemus was a leader among the Jews and formed part of the supreme tribunal, called the Sanhedrin. In the Gospel of John, he represents the group of Jews who were pious and sincere, but who did not succeed in understanding everything which Jesus said and did. Nicodemus had heard about the signs and the wonderful things that Jesus did, and he was struck, amazed. He wanted to speak with Jesus in order to understand better. Jesus said unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. For Nicodemus, the only way to understand the things of God is to be born again. Today same thing happens. Most of us received the Sacrament of Baptism of water when we were small, where only our “God’s parents” answered for

us to accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord into our lives. Thereafter when we attained some age we were granted the Sacrament of Confirmation to renew the Grace we received at Baptism to remind us of becoming persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord and have received the Holy Spirit of God into our lives by the intervention of Jesus Christ to grant us power to deny sin and live pious lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as “Children of God” with blessings of God the Father’s Gifts, powers and qualities we receive as “Children of God”. As Nicodemus some of us accept as new only what agrees with our ideas. What does not agree with our ideas is rejected and considered contrary to tradition. The ones who allow themselves to be Blessed and Raised from facts and are not afraid to say: “I have been born anew!” and live with the Help of the Holy Spirit to bring Glory to Father in every way. The First Reading is on Peter and John who were released after threatening them not to speak of Jesus Christ any more, came and joined with other disciples to pray to God. As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the Word of God with boldness.

Prayer Starter

God our Loving Father forgive all my past sins and Bless me with Your Holy Spirit to receive Wisdom to see and know all my sinful habits, qualities, manners, impurities I carry as various inherited qualities and as old wounds etc. which I desire to get rid of . Help me to pray and take all such steps with the Help of the Holy Spirit to remove them. Change me and Raise me to be a person who abide by all the Teachings of Your begotten Son, my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ , Amen

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

Tuesday 30th April 2019 Acts: 4/32-37 Psalm:92/1-2, 5 93/1-2, 5 John: 3/7-15

The First Proclamation Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.....

The Gospel Proclamation

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” asked Nicodemus. Jesus answered, “You are a great teacher in Israel, and you don't know this? I am telling you the truth: we speak of what we know and report what we have seen, yet none of you is willing to accept our message. You do not believe me when I tell you about the things of this world; how will you ever believe me, then, when I tell you about the things of heaven? And no one has ever gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven.” And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that every

one who believes in him may have eternal life.

Prayerful Awareness

This is a dialogue Jesus had with Nicodemus, a man well read in the law and knew about the prophets. The teaching about a new birth from God should not have been strange to him. Ezekiel, speaks about the new heart that must be created in a man. Nicodemus simply closed his mind like some of us to the truth which he didn’t wish to accept. When Jesus Christ comes with His offer to change us and re-create us, we more or less say: "No thank you: I am quite satisfied with myself as I am, and I don't want to be changed." You may not know how the Spirit works; but you can see the effect of the Spirit in human lives." No man can disregard a faith which is able to make bad men good. Jesus is also telling us like He did to Nicodemus, that it is easy to sit in discussion groups, to sit in a study and to read books, it is easy to discuss the intellectual truth of Christianity; but the essential thing is to experience the power of Christianity. Christianity is a mystery of redemption. John speaks about the old testament story about Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. The healing power lay not in the bronze serpent; it was only a symbol to turn their thoughts to God; and when they did that they were healed. This is symbolised by Jesus being lifted up on the cross and into glory at the time of His ascension into heaven. It means believing with all our hearts that God is as Jesus declared Him to be, that God loves us, that God cares for us, that God wants nothing more than to forgive us.

Prayer Starter

Lord Give me wisdom, courage and perseverance to recognize You in every path of my life and to be willing to follow You beyond the difficulties I find. Amen.

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

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