Walk in the Spirit October 2019 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT October 2019 Issue 332 Commencement March 1992

"Abba Father ! Abba Mother!"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER October 2019

The beginning of the 'Rosary Month' I resolve to be open to the special grace that was the Blessed Mother's, her baptism in the Spirit and concurrent "Empowering". She is asked by the beloved Son Himself to forget Him, to empty herself of Him and mother His disciples. The Word of the Son is the Father's Word. She would say "Be it done to me according to Your Word." The 'Pubuduwa' is most dear to me. How could I be emptied of it!! Blessed Mother could the grace that was yours be mine too. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

Tuesday 1st October 2019 Isaiah:66/10-14 Psalm:44/11-12,14-17 (131/1-3) 1 Corinthians:13/4-13 Mathew:18/1-4

The First Proclamation Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her - that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. For thus says the Lord; I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ....

The Gospel Proclamation

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Prayerful Awareness Paul defines real love in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. Love makes our actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, LOVE is available to EVERYONE. Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike LUST, God's kind of LOVE is

St. Therese of the Child Jesus directed outward, towards others, not inward towards ourselves. It is utterly UNSELFISH. This kind of Love goes against our natural inclinations. It is possible to practice this love only if God helps us set aside our own desires, and instincts, so that we can GIVE love while expecting NOTHING in return. Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others. God gives us Spiritual gifts for our lives on earth in order to build up, serve and strengthen fellow Christians. Thus Spiritual gifts are for the Church. In eternity, we will be made PERFECT and COMPLETE and will be in the very presence of God. Paul gives us a glimpse into the future to give us hope that one day we will be complete when we see God face to face. This TRUTH should strengthen our faith - we see God face to face. This TRUTH should strengthen our faith we do not have all the answers now, but one day we will. Someday we will SEE Christ in person and be able to see with God's perspective. In morally corrupt Corinth, love had become a mixed-up term with little meaning. Today people are still confused about love. Love is the GREATEST of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God Himself. Love involves unselfish service to others, to show it gives evidence that you CARE. FAITH is the foundation and content of God's message. HOPE is the attitude and focus. LOVE is the action. When faith and hope are in line, we are free to love completely because we understand HOW God loves. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, guide our hearts to rearrange our priorities, so that we value the needs of others and love one another as You love us.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 2nd October 2019 Exodus:23/20-23 Psalm: 90/1-6,10-11 (91/1,6,10-11) Mathew:18/1-5, 10 Gospel Proclamation The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, ... "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. .... Prayerful Awareness The disciples ask for a criteria how to measure the importance of a person in the Kingdom of heaven. “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus answers that it is the one who is like a little one. One who does not despise any one of the little ones. When we think of it, the greatest in heaven, he or she must be the most humble, loving and caring person, a person with qualities of God. That is why Jesus selected a child, the least corrupt and free from corrupt practices of the adult society. From this message, Jesus calls every one of us to become like a child, to be a person with qualities of God, to be a son or a daughter of God and be close to God, a person guided by the Holy Spirit as stated in Romans 8:14. A person loves and cares for others and lives according to God’s commandments. Such a person will be a very humble and down to earth person who could accept and move with the smallest (like children) and the poorest, whether such person is a king or a beggar as God treats everyone equal, with His Love. Jesus may have taken a child, as children do not possess anything to protect. Like the disciples, who have got detached from everything and have decided to follow Jesus. This

The Holy Guardian Angels reminds me of the thief who was hanged to death on the right side of Jesus. He was at the last moments of his life, nothing to lose, yet, he was not grumbling or cursing (like the other thief). He admits that his suffering is due to his sins and wrongful acts and speaks for Jesus who was suffering for no fault of His, thus accepting Jesus as He was. We know that this repentance and acceptance of Jesus opened the door to salvation through Jesus at his last moments, thus receiving a baptism of blood, taking him straight to the Kingdom of God. We too are called to get detached from everything else and follow Jesus as our Lord and be guided by the Holy Spirit throughout our lives, giving first place to God Almighty, to His Love and to His Will. First Reading; Exodus 23:20-23 on Conquest of the Land, it is said “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since my name is in him. But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. For my angel will go before you and bring you in to the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will completely destroy them.

Prayer Starter

Abba Father, we thank You for Your great love for us and, Jesus Christ Your begotten Son sent to the world to redeem the world from sin. Grant us Your Holy Spirit and guide us by Your Wisdom to know Your Will and to abide by it and help us to follow Your guidance to live as pleasing children of God. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 3rd October 2019 themselves to the full, since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.’ The Gospel Proclamation describes the process initiated by our Lord Jesus Christ to propagate God’s Kingdom on earth. ‘After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of Prayerful Awareness him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself would be visiting. And he said to Let us read today’s Proclamations them, 'The harvest is rich but the labourers meditatively where the central theme is the are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to mercy of Almighty God, our Abba Father, send labourers to do his harvesting. Start Abba Mother, whereby He/She planned off now, but look, I am sending you out for mankind’s salvation by first giving us like lambs among wolves. Take no purse a set of laws, followed by giving us His with you, no haversack, no sandals. Salute only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, no one on the road. who was the Law personified, to be slain Whatever house you enter, let your first as a sacrifice to pay the price for mankind’s collective sin, in order to fulfill the Law words be, "Peace to this house!" And if a by summarizing the entire Law into two man of peace lives there, your peace will Commandments, Love your God with all go and rest on him; if not, it will come back your heart, strength, and mind, and Love to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the one another as Christ loved us. labourer deserves his wages; do not move God’s paternal/maternal Love is Uni- from house to house. Whenever you go versal, Sacrificial, Humble / Serving, and into a town where they make you welcome, Constant & Unconditional, and Jesus was eat what is put before you. Cure those in the epitome of this Love, and the same it who are sick, and say, "The kingdom of is expected of us, God’s children! This God is very near to you." But whenever doctrine of Love brought the Kingdom of you enter a town and they do not welcome God to the earth as it is in heaven (to those you, go out into its streets and say "We who willingly submit). wipe off the very dust of your town that Today’s First Proclamation describes clings to our feet, and leave it with you. a process initiated during Nehemiah and Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God Ezra’s time to explain the Law to the is very near." I tell you, on the great Day people of Israel, ending with a call for it will be more bearable for Sodom than celebration, as follows: for that town. ‘Then His Excellency Nehemiah and Song of Praise (Psalm19: 7-10) the priest-scribe Ezra and the Levites who The Law of Yahweh is perfect, refreshwere instructing the people said to all the people, 'Today is sacred to Yahweh your ment to the soul; the decree of Yahweh is God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.' trustworthy, wisdom for the simple. For the people were all in tears as they The precepts of Yahweh are honest, joy listened to the words of the Law. He then for the heart; the commandment of Yahweh said, 'You may go; eat what is rich, drink is pure, light for the eyes. what is sweet and send a helping to the The fear of Yahweh is pure, lasting for man who has nothing prepared. For today ever; the judgements of Yahweh are true, is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy upright, every one, more desirable than of Yahweh is your stronghold.'…. gold, even than the finest gold; his words Then all the people went off to eat and are sweeter than honey, that drips from the drink and give helpings away and enjoy comb. Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

Nehemiah:8/1-12 Psalm: 18/8-11 (19/7-10) Luke:10/1-12

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 4th October 2019 Baruch:1/15-22 Psalm: 78/1-5,8-9 (79/1-5,8-9 Luke:10/13-16

St. Francis of Assisi He was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181 (or 1182). A new kind of knighthood awaited him - "Serve the Master rather than the man" - which marked the start of his conversion. His attitude towards the poor and downtrodden changed - "bitterness to sweetness". On the Lord's call he started repairing the old dilapidated St. Domiano's church. A dispute ensued between him and his father. As a result he handed over even his clothes to his father and became a beggar overnight for the sake of the Master. He was instrumental in inaugurating "Fratres Minores" - "Little Brothers." A second Order, the "Poor Clares" For women came into being and a third order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance in 1221. The first recorded stigmatization was on his body. Died: October 3rd, 1226. Canonized on 16th July 1228 by Pope Gregory IX. Proclaimed patron of Italy in 1939. The First Proclamation And you shall say: The Lord our God is in the right, but there is open shame on us today, on the people of Judah, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on our kings, our rulers, our priests, our prophets, and our ancestors, because we have sinned before the Lord. We have disobeyed him, and have not heeded the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the statutes of the Lord that he set before

St. Francis of Assisi us. From the time when the Lord brought our ancestors out of the land of Egypt until today, we have been disobedient to the Lord our God, and we have been negligent, in not heeding his voice ..... Prayerful Awareness The discourse is attributed to Baruch the secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. The main theme or the topic is sin. "Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. By the free gift of God's grace all are put right with Him through Jesus Christ, who sets them free." (Romans 3:23-24). All of us stand in need of Christ who is our one and only Saviour, model, source of life and liberator. "When Our Lord wished to do a favor, He always began by asking for one. He did not begin with a reproof, but with a request. His first was "Give!" There must always be an emptying of the human before there can be a filling with the divine, as the Divine emptied Himself to fill the human. "Unintentional ignorance can diminish or even remove the immutability of a grave offence. But no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man. The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offence, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest." (C.C.C. 1860). It is the Holy Spirit Who shows the red light when we sin - so, let us be alert and obey Him. Prayer Starter As members of the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church instituted by Christ Himself, let us be living examples to others in all ways. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 5th October 2019 Baruch:4/5-12, 27-29 Psalm: 68/33-37 (69/32-36) Luke:10/17-24

The First Proclamation Take courage, my people, memorial of Israel! You were sold to the nations, but not for extermination. You provoked God; and so were delivered to your enemies, since you had angered your Creator by offering sacrifices to demons, and not to God. You had forgotten the eternal God who reared you. You had also grieved Jerusalem who nursed you, for when she saw God's anger falling on you, she said: ...Take courage, my children, call on God: he who brought this on you will remember you. As by your will you first strayed from God, so now turn back and search for him ten times harder; for as he has been bringing down those disasters on you, so will he rescue you and give you eternal joy. Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You Holy Lord for revealing our present status; that our minds and hearts are strayed from the paths you have set up for us! And for encouraging us to turn back and stand fast in faith concerning Your steadfastness.... We who are created in the Image and Likeness of the Almighty have chosen to go our own ways, and to turn our backs to the Creator. We have forgotten who we really are; what worthiness we’ve been endowed with; the multitudes of the blessings we have been showered with, the connectedness S/He has structured herein, and are now in a desperate search there-for. All the while seeking comfort and consolation in isolation and

estrangement, in narrowing down our relational group, for this and that reason! Of course, in the exercising of our God given gift - free will, the choice is ours as to whether we want to accept/ believe in the Living Word and, enter in to these attributes we’re created in! The fundamental rule is, “As you believe, so shall it be”. A key characteristic of being created in the image and likeness of the Creator is that we are endowed with the power of creating; whether we know it or not, accept it or not. Consciously or unconsciously, we craft our own “taste” of life even as our life unfolds before us! We journey forth in our own chosen paths, dependent on the beliefs/thoughts/aspirations we chose, and the emotions/ feelings we generate thereof. We reap in accord with what we sow! We have a Lord who is Just; who gives us exactly what we earnestly (truly) believe in and desire! This is the very reason we need to wake up; to become conscious of these inner processing we carry out; and realising the truth as to what we do to ourselves, become more responsible for our choices! Remember - the Creator does know how to bring out the Best of who/what you are. But to realise this optimum, we should adhere to our specifications as it is revealed in the Living Word! We need to abide in the WORD to experience the LOVE! Use your free will consciously and with wisdom.... Prayer Starter We have gone astray; we have accepted error/lies in to ourselves! We accept that we are reaping alienation, an experience of not being in Your Love! And that this is because of our own poor choices; we shall now turn and search for You with ten times the strength we previously chased the world and the devil and the titillation of our bodily senses with .... help us return to Your bosom, O Abba O Amma.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 6th October 2019

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

PS Wk III read it. For thee is still a vision for Habakkuk:1/2-3; 2/2-4 the appointed time; it speaks of the Psalm: 94/1-2,6-9 end, and does not lie....... If it seems to (95/1-2,6-9) tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, 2 Timothy:1/6-8,13-14 it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but Luke:17/5-10 the righteous live by their faith. Prayerful Awareness

Introduction Prayer is experiencing the love of God. The one who experiences the love of God heals another, loves, forgives and receives forgiveness, overcomes challenges, difficulties, struggles and persecutions, enjoys the fruits of the Spirit, witnesses as an authentic Christian disciple and plunges into the depths of faith. Faith is a key, a bridge, a gate, a power and a light. To move into such faith we should develop a deep personal relationship with the Lord. Thirsting to enter into a prayer of that sort, let us open ourselves before God and glorify Him. "Within your Will, O Lord, all things are established, and there is none that can resist Your Will. For you have made all things, the heaven and earth, and all that is held within the circle of heaven; you are the Lord of all" (Entrance Antiphon) The First Proclamation O Lord, how long shall I to cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble. Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plan on tablets, so that a runner may

The prophet Habakkuk is faced with a struggle as unbearable as to question God that he shares his lot with Him. Maybe the Israelites had been victimized under the rule of the King of Israel and his nobles. Yet, one who keeps his trust in God will be victorious since God Himself will fight for him. "Hearken all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Fear not, and be not dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15). One who remains in the Lord cannot be subjected to further persecution because he is able to move past with sure protection. Moreover he is asked to write down the vision so that many would come to know of this. The Second Proclamation For this reason I remind; you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. Prayerful Awareness There had been a ritual of hands being laid on and prayed over a person entrusted with responsibility. Since even Timothy received this blessing St. Paul reminds him of this. It was the prophets of the Church, preachers filled with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and those who could bring about revival in the lives of people that performed this act. One who is to be involved in the service of the Lord had to be first filled with the Holy Spirit to work with zeal. It was like a burning fire. The fire consumes everything just as gold is burnt in order to create an ever new product for which the goldsmith has to suffer. Likewise, the bringer of good news should traverse his way confronting slander, calumny and insult for the simple reason that the people thus won shall be precious gifts in the eyes of God. The Gospel reminds us today of the grave responsibility of the mission thus handed down to us. Gospel Proclamation The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had the faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Would you not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink, later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when

you have done all you have ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves, we have done only what we ought to have done!'" Prayerful Awareness One who follows the Lord and lives in Him will accomplish great things. The Lord tells His disciples, "Were your faith the size of a mustard seedâ&#x20AC;Ś" Mustard seed is a tiny seed. Yet when it falls to the ground and grows up it will be a huge tree where even birds could find rest. A small amount of faith would certainly move towards a great experience of faith. What our Lord had in God the Father was a faith large enough to move mountains which bore fruit. This faith was powerful enough not only to heal the sick, drive away demons, feed the hungry and raise the dead but also to command nature through which He always gave glory to God. Therefore, He tells both His disciples and us, to have deep faith and trust in God. Through the Gospel proclamation of the day we are invited to glorify God with this immense faith. My son-ship Let us open ourselves for a moment to the Holy Spirit. And allow the Holy Spirit to lead us so that we too like disciples live in deep faith and trust. Also let us invoke the Lord to fill us with the fruits of the Spirit that we may bring people to the Kingdom of God and thus manifest the glory of God. So, Let us journey along with deep faith in the Lord. Prayer Starter O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 7th October 2019 Acts:1/12-14 Psalm:Luke: 1/46-55 Luke:1/26-38 Prayerful Awareness Today is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, where the central theme is the pre-eminent status afforded to Blessed Virgin Mary in the whole scheme of things by Almighty God, our Abba Father, Abba Mother. The Proclamations show that our Blessed Mother played a pivotal role in God’s Plan for mankind’s salvation, from Incarnation to death on the cross, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the anointing of the disciples by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and to her eventual Assumption to life everlasting. The lessons we are taught by her life, to name a few that come to mind are: - total surrender to God’s Will by letting go of all her plans and wishes - met life stoically as it unfolded in the full knowledge that everything happens according to God’s definitive Will or allowing Will - was always full of the Holy Spirit, and hence was constantly in a state of thanksgiving and praise - always stayed quiet, happy, and peaceful, storing things in her memory and meditating / pondering over them Considering the above, it is no wonder that She has been given a pre-eminent place in heaven and on earth. Gospel Proclamation In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

Our Lady of the Rosary ...; and the virgin's name was Mary. ... 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. ... and his reign will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' Song of Praise (Luke 1: 46-55) And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him. He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly. He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love. -according to the promise he made to our ancestors -- of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 8th October 2019 Jona:3/1-10 Psalm: 129/1-4,7-8 (130/1-4,7-8) Luke:10/38-42

Prayerful Awareness

In today’s first reading; Jonah is given a message to be proclaimed to the people of Nineveh. “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!” What did the Ninevites do when they heard this message? They first believed that it was God’s word not Jonah’s, and then they acted according to that belief. How often do you and I get a messages like The First Proclamation this from our shepherds, community elThe word of the Lord came to ders and our fellow brothers and sisters, Jonah a second time, saying, "Get and fail to recognize God's message? up, go to Nineveh, that great city, Each and every time we choose to stay and proclaim to it the message that ignorant, we go further and further I tell you." ... Now Nineveh was an into chaos. We lose sight of the grand exceedingly large city, a three day's plan, God’s bigger picture and focus on walk across. Jonah began to go into unimportant worldly things. But even the city, going a day's walk. and he when we think that we are too far gone cried out, "Forty days more, and it’s never too late to believe in God’s Nineveh shall be overthrown!" And message and act. the people of Nineveh believed So the choice is very important. To God; they proclaimed a fast, and choose God’s word against the world everyone, great and small, put on and self. Because sometimes what you sackcloth. or the world thinks is right is not what When the news reached the king God wants. of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, This is explained nicely in today’s removed his robe, covered himself Gospel. Martha is doing what is cuswith sackcloth, and sat in ashes. tomary and right in the view of the Then he had a proclamation made in world. But Mary chooses to listen to Nineveh: "By the decree of the king Jesus instead of helping her sister. and his nobles; No human being or “Martha, Martha! You are woranimal, no herd or flock, shall taste ried and troubled over so many anything. They shall not feed, nor things, but just one is needed. Mary shall they drink water. Human beings has chosen the right thing, and it will and animals shall be covered with not be taken away from her.” sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily This is what God wants from us, to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in to listen to Him, even when the world says otherwise. And He will redeem us their hands.... When God saw what they did, from our sins. Prayer Starter how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about Dear Lord, Please fill me with the the calamity that he had said he Holy Spirit, so that I may recognize would bring upon them; and he did Your word and believe. And change my not do it. ways of ignorance and sin…..

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 9th October 2019

St. Denis & Companions, St. John Leonardi, Priest

Jona:4/1-11 Psalm: 85/3-6, 9-10 (86/3-6,9-10) Luke:11/1-4

The First Proclamation Jonah was very unhappy about this and became angry. ..., “Lord, didn't I say before I left home that this is just what you would do? ... I knew that you are a loving and merciful God, ... Now then, Lord, let me die. ...” The Lord answered, “What right do you have to be angry?” Jonah went out east of the city and sat down. .... Then the Lord God made a plant grow up over Jonah to give him some shade, .... Jonah was extremely pleased with the plant. But at dawn the next day, at God's command, a worm attacked the plant, and it died. After the sun had risen, God sent a hot east wind, and Jonah was about to faint .... So he wished he were dead. ... But God said to him, “What right do you have to be angry about the plant?” Jonah replied, “I have every right to be angry—angry enough to die!” The Lord said to him, “This plant grew up in one night and disappeared the next; you didn't do anything for it and you didn't make it grow—yet you feel sorry for it! How much more, then, should I have pity on Nineveh, that great city. ...

The Gospel Proclamation

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this: ‘Father: May your holy name be honored; may your Kingdom come.

Give us day by day the food we need. Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong. And do not bring us to hard testing.’”

Prayerful Awareness

Personally I find this to be a beautiful prayer and who best to teach us than Jesus Himself. Jesus brings us close to an Awesome, Majestic and Almighty God by telling His disciples to call Him “Father”. In other words this Father God belongs to all and sundry. It would have been confusing to the disciples who were Jewish, who actually feared God, a God who demanded sacrifices and punished those who disobeyed Him. Here Jesus depicts God the Father, as a loving caring father, an idea not known or entertained before. Jesus tells us to keep the Name of God holy. When we accept the Lord to be the King of our lives we can ask for His kingdom values to be a part of our lives and thereby the Will of God prevails. Jesus also portrays the Father as the provider of all our needs, and the next line “Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” shows that we can only expect God’s forgiveness if we forgive one another. And we ask God not to allow us to be exposed to temptation. By this prayer Jesus has opened our hearts and minds to a loving and merciful Father waiting with open arms to provide and protect us and teach us the value of forgiveness. We are indeed privileged sons and daughters of the family of God.

Prayer Starter

Thank You Jesus for this beautiful prayer which gives us a glimpse of the wonderful love of Abba, our Father. We pray that by Your sacrifice on the cross You have made it possible for us to get close to our Father and bask in His love and enjoy His mercy. Amen

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 10th October 2019 Malachi:3/13-20 Psalm:1/1-4, 6 (1/1-6) Luke:11/5-13

Gospel Proclamation And Jesus said to his disciples, suppose one of you should go to a friend’s house at midnight and say, Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. A friend of mine who is on a journey has just come to my house, and I haven’t got any food for him! And suppose your friend should answer from inside Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything. Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not shamed to keep on asking. And so I say to you; ask and you will receive, seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For all those who ask will receive and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? Bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give, the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Prayerful Awareness

giving up. It is though asking that many people received their healing from Jesus. Therefore, the humility and trust we inculcate within us when asking matters to God our father who will know our desires and Jesus says, he will give you the Holy Spirit. Our sonship To understand why we need the Holy Spirit when we pray, let us pay attention to what God says in Malachi, “You have said terrible things about me,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘What have we said about you?’ You have said, ‘It's useless to serve God. What's the use of doing what he says or of trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for what we have done? As we see it, proud people are the ones who are happy. Evil people not only prosper, but they test God's patience with their evil deeds and get away with it.’” Then the people who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard what they said… “They will be my people,” says the LORD Almighty. “On the day when I act, they will be my very own”. Therefore, persistence in prayer that is full of vanity will not lead us to the higher purposes that God has for us. Hence, we are often disappointed about prayer. The one that stands in the middle in this conflict to intercede between our groans and God’s will is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is important that our persistent prayer needs to be Spirit led, because it is the Holy Spirit who will help us to see the vanities in our prayer and lead us to the truth and helps us to pray without fear and disappointment. Prayer starter

Jesus speaks of the importance of In the Holy Spirit, God You have being persistent in prayer. Our need given us a loving friend who teaches us might be trivial, or it might be large, to pray with authority and for purposes yet Jesus encourages us to ask without of God to be fulfilled in our life.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 11th October 2019

St. John XXIII, Pope

Joel:1/13-15; 2/1-2 Psalm:9/2-3,6,16,8-9 (9/1-2.5,15,7-8) Luke:11/15-26

St. John XXIII He was born into a simple peasant family of Sotto il Monte on 25th November 1881. He was ordained priest in 1904 and Bishop in 1925. During world War Two, he became familiar with several Orthodox Church leaders, establishing a rapport between the two churches that continues to grow till this day. He was created Cardinal in 1953 and appointed Patriarch of Venice. He was selected pope in 1958. He said "Let the winds of change blow into the Church!" symbolically opening a window, at the commencement of Vatican II in 1962. Ever since neither have the winds of change stopped blowing nor has any of his successors closed that window. The humble "Pope of the Council" was canonized on 3rd September 2000. Quite fittingly his feast was assigned to October 11th, the opening day of the 1st session of Vatican II. The First Proclamation Put on sackcloth and lament, you priests; wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, pass the night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God! Grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God. Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. ....

Prayerful Awareness Our attention is drawn to prayer, fasting and penance. The invitation of locusts that has devastated the land - surely it is an eye opener. God's aim is clear - it is for the people to rid themselves of evil ways and to turn to Him. How many things has the Lord provided us even without our asking. The withdrawal of such worldly blessings tends to draw our attention to spiritual, heavenly things. Losses, troubles and sicknesses bring man to prayer and repentance. "The first sermon that Christ preached was on the subject of repentance. The first sermon of Peter was on repentance; the first sermon of Paul was on repentance; now the last sermon Christ preached before ascending into heaven was the theme of His first. Repentance was to be the burden of the New Testament teaching. Repentance is thus linked up with the fulfilment of the ancient prophecies, but above all with the application of the Redemption won on Calvary. Repentance implied a turning away from sin and a turning to God. The first four Beatitudes He preached were a description of this inner and radical change of heart, namely, poverty or humility of heart, sorrow for sin, meekness, hunger and thirst for love of God. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Our Lord had drawn a picture of the soul, penitent, who "entered into himself", as if sin had externalized him, and then returned humbly to the father's house. The angels of heaven, He said, rejoiced more over one sinner doing penance than ninety-nine just who need no penance; the publican in the back of the temple mourning over his sins, He said, went back to his house justified. Now in His farewell discourse before the Ascension, He bade the world repent." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) Prayer Starter Channel into us forgiveness from the storehouse on Calvary. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 12th October 2019 Joel:4/12-21 Psalm:96/1-2.5-6.11-12 (97/1-2,5-6) Luke:11/27-28

The First Proclamation ... Abba Father, the stars lose their brilliance. Yahweh roars from Zion, he thunders from Jerusalem; heaven and earth tremble. But Yahweh will be a shelter for his people, a stronghold for the Israelites. 'Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God residing on Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will then be a sanctuary, no foreigners will overrun it ever again.'... 'I shall avenge their blood and let none go unpunished,' and Yahweh will dwell in Zion....

The Gospel Proclamation

It happened that as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Blessed the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you!' But he replied, 'More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'

Fix your gaze on Jesus

It's a graphic picture of the need to turn from our ways, and return to the ways and the place of the Lord! Then shall we see the Day of the Almighty, and experience the Justice, the splendour and the magnanimity of the Most Loving Creator! The question is, are we willing to listen to the Lord? Are we ready to really accept (even to ourselves) that we have jumped track along the way, and need to change our beliefs, our ways of thinking...? Let us ask that question in another way...Are we really satisfied with the ‘taste’ we experience of our life? To what extent is our lives filled up with strife,

enmity, bitterness, weakness and sickness, hatred, emptiness, desolation, devastation, despondency, calamity, inadequacy and all these other feelings/ emotions that we do not like? We understand that the Lord’s intention is to provide us with an experience of Total Adequacy, Peace, Joy, Togetherness, Unity, Strength and Health, Worthiness, Acceptance, Fulfilment, Zest and all these other feelings/ emotions that we like so much! Now, how do we go from where we are, to where we should be? In what respects do we need to turn? Which of our beliefs, thoughts, aspirations, feelings, and emotions prevent us from experiencing the bliss promised for the Lord’s faithful? So, let us repeat the question; Are we willing to listen to the Lord Holy Spirit; S/He who guides us to the Truth concerning where we are? Are we ready to become increasingly conscious of the inner state of our heart and mind? Shall we start to pay more attention to our emotional guidance system? Are we ready to set aside our laziness, our sloth and increasing strife to become conscious? Find the answer within yourself; what do you truly desire? If the answer is “Yes, I will become more conscious”, then let the Commands of the Holy Spirit guide your journey. Where the answer is “No”, then you are on your own: follow the desires of your heart; and the loving Father will sorrowfully watch you fritter away your life, even on to the pig sty, the desolation of Edom. Love will not be forced on you!

Prayer Starter

Well, the choice is mine. What do I truly desire? What am I presently sowing, and what do I reap there-from? Am I expecting different results whilst choosing the same thought patterns again and again? O my heart! What resides within you truly, Truth or Error? Help me become conscious O Spirit of the Lord, that I may return to the Boss.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 13th October 2019 2 Kings:5/14-17 Psalm:97/1-4 (98/1-4) 2 Timothy:2/8-13 Luke:17/11-19

Introduction Laity Sunday is a day allotted to you and me. Hence let us draw our attention to the day's proclamations. In the first proclamation we come across Na'aman the Syrian who said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel." And in the Gospel proclamation Jesus asks, "Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Thus, Jesus proclaims that who opted to show gratitude were not the Jews who called themselves the chosen people of God but the Samaritan called the gentile. St. Paul unfolding a myriad of revelations through the second proclamation states "If we endure, we shall also reign with him." And today the Lord is inviting you and me, the laity to enter into a similar experience. The First Proclamation So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was cleanâ&#x20AC;Ś. And he said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant."â&#x20AC;Ś. Prayerful Awareness Even though Na'aman, commander of the army of the king of Syria was a mighty man of valour, he was a leper. Through the little maid of his wife God

National Laity Sunday

PS Wk IV revealed to him what should be done to be cured of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-5). And Na'aman, acted according to the instructions given by Elisha but it was with much argument and questioning. Later, having bathed himself seven times in the river Jordan in obedience to the voice of the prophet he was healed. Then Na'aman said, "Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant." And Elisha's answer "I will receive none" was a proclamation that the healing taken place was not with any skill of himself but through the power of God. Thus Elisha assisted Na'aman to get closer to God. Accordingly, it affirms that in paying heed to the voice of God man will have access to relief, comfort, healing and redemption. The Gospel Proclamation

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet, and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." Prayerful Awareness Let us focus our minds and hearts on the Lord Jesus and be conscious of

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

the maternal and paternal love of God overflowing in him. Picture in your mind the ten lepers lifting up their voices to him standing at a distance. "â&#x20AC;Ś have mercy on us." Let us also take this to our hearts. At that moment what would Jesus have done? Let us open up to the Holy Spirit in meditation. Virtually He would have walked closer to them. Seeing them, filled with the love of God He would have said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." Let us pay homage to our Lord and savior. The only person who returned to give thanks to the Lord was the Samaritan whom the Jews despised. Although Jesus inquired after the other nine He never condemned them. What He did was to admire the Samaritan and proclaim that his faith had made him well with which He affirms that He never saw a similar gratitude among the Jews who take pride in being the chosen people of God. Today, we too call ourselves the children of God. Yet, how is our behavior? Let us reflect. The Second Proclamation

him, we shall also live with him" (which implies baptism). Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for He cannot deny himself." Let us be attentive to these statements of St. Paul, and ponder for a moment, as to the theme of the Gospel and our lives. On what do we spend most of our time? Do I unnecessarily allocate more time on television, telephone, internet and computer and what not? How much time do I give for daily prayer (My Hour), to be nourished by the word of God, to open up to the Holy Spirit, to evangelization and to be in communion with the sick, the helpless and the other members of my community? Let us be mindful and enter into the invitation of the Lord, "Repent and believe in the Good News." Our sonship Let us focus our attention on the experience of Na'aman in the first proclamation and of the sick Samaritan in the Gospel. Let us also be mindful of the challenge posed by St. Paul. "God remains faithful" was the core teaching of St. Paul. God who is Abba Amma and Abba Thaththa loves us endearingly even when we human beings are unfaithful by our very nature and would expect of us a similar faith and love. "If we endure, we shall also reign with him." Are we true sons and daughters of His? Let us pray for the grace to walk daily to be deemed worthy of being called His children. Prayer Starter

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David - that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also The Lord is king! Let the earth rereign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, joice, let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all he remains faithful - for he cannot around him, righteousness and jusdeny himself. tice are the foundation of his throne Prayerful Awareness (Ps.97/1, 2... The theme of the Gospel is, "Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David." "If we have died with

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 14th October 2019 Romans:1/1-7 Psalm: 97/1-4 (98/1-4) Luke: 11/29-32

St. Callistus I, Pope & Martyr Fix your gaze on Jesus

The First Proclamation Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.... The Gospel Proclamation When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

The opponents of Jesus sought miracles. That is why Jesus said, "This generation is an evil generation, it seeks signs but no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. As Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh so the Son of Man will be to this generation." Jesus speaks of signs. Miracles are signs leading men to a way of salvation. What happened to Jonah is only a sign, a way of salvation to the men of Nineveh. So Jesus says, "No sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Prayerful Awareness According to Matthew 16/1 the opponents of Jesus - the Pharisees and Scribes sought signs. But the Evangelist Luke referring to signs speaks of the Second Coming of Jesus after His death. The death and resurrection of Jesus is a sign. In other words, a way of salvation. Similarly Jonah's incident too is a sign that led the people of Nineveh to repentance and also to Jonah who changed his heart and finally decided to do God's Will. He went to Nineveh and preached the word of God and the people of Nineveh repented. This is the reason why Jesus says "No sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah." Jonah's confrontation of the disastrous situation was his death and his change of heart to do God's Will was his resurrection. The word of God was given to the Ninevites. Let us also like Jonah pray to the Lord to enlighten us too to be faithful to the Word of God and be obedient to do God's Will. Prayer Starter When my soul fainted O Lord, I remembered You and called to You in my distress. Thank and praise to the Lord God, You heard my prayer and I was made to do Your Will. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 15th October 2019

St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin & Doctor

Romans:1/16-25 Psalm:18/2-5 (19/1-4) Luke:11/37-41 The Gospel Proclamation While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you. Prayerful Awareness Father God's greatest desire is to build the Kingdom of God on this earth. This is His infinite love which overflows towards the whole Universe. "Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but may have eternal life." Amidst many challenges and set-backs, Jesus performed this noble mission with constant dependence on His Father. The chief opposition was from the Pharisees. They adhered to the teaching of the Old Testament and implemented it to the people devoid of love, to draw them away from God rather than getting closer to God. Jesus is invited to a Pharisee's house to dine. But Jesus does not observe the customary formalities. He did not wash His hands willfully because He wanted to instil a very important teaching. As Jesus was very much in the presence of Father God, His vision was much different from the others. He reflects

on the inner appearance rather than the external appearance. Therefore Jesus foresaw the vanity and evil thoughts of the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dine with him. That is why without hiding He disclosed to the Pharisee what He wanted to say to him. So, Jesus challenged him b saying, "So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside your are full of greed and evil." This Gospel passage indicates that we have to be watchful against external observations and practices, not recognizing the free action of the Spirit in all believers. That is why Jesus was compelled to address him "fool". How do I think and act? Am I too very particular about traditions and norms? What I do should be pleasing to God, rather than getting the good name from others. Jesus wants to free us from spiritual narrowness. According to Paul's letter to the Romans, he says he is not ashamed of being laughed at by proclaiming the Good News so often. The miracles which accompany the preaching of the Gospel are only signs of God's powerful action in transformed people and inspires those who hear it. A single word in the Bible means both justice and righteousness. God is just and God's justice is the intervention to destroy what is evil and to save the faithful. Paul continues to show that all people need the Gospel, because the world lives in sin and all of us to a greater or lesser degree are responsible for the existence of evil and we must believe in the Gospel if we want to be saved. Prayer Starter Dear Holy Spirit, empower us to read the Gospel as often as we could and through it enlighten us to see the justice of God and God's truth. Also empower us to remain in God and convey the Good News to all we meet. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

St.Hedwig, St.Margaret Mary | Wednesday 16th October 2019 Alacoque

follows Jesus should share with needy neighbours. While tithing is important to the life of the Church, our compassion must not stop there. Where we can help, we should help. Jesus criticised the Pharisees and the experts of the Law harshly because they washed their outside not their insides. They remembered to give a tenth of even their The First Proclamation garden herbs, but neglected justice. They Therefore you have no excuse, who- loved praise and attention, The Pharisees ever you are, when you judge others; loaded people down with burdensome refor in passing judgment on another ligious demands and would not accept the you condemn yourself, because you, the truth about Jesus and they prevented others judge, are doing the very same things. ... from believing the TRUTH as well; People Do you not realize that God's kindness may sometimes be fooled, but God isn't. is meant to lead you to repentance? But We must bring our inner life under God's by your hard and impenitent heart you control and our outer life will naturally are storing up wrath for yourself on reflect Jesus. The Old Testament laws said a person the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. For he will who touched a grave was unclean (Numrepay according to each one's deeds: ... bers 19:16). Jesus accused the Pharisees of making others unclean by their spiritual The Gospel Proclamation ROTTENNESS. Like unmarked graves "But woe to you Pharisees! For you hidden in a field, the Pharisees corrupted tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, everyone who came in contact with them. and neglect justice and the love of God; These 'burdens' were the details the it is these you ought to have practiced, Pharisees had added to God's law. To the without neglecting the others. Woe to commandment "Keep holy the Sabbath you Pharisees! For you love to have the day", they had added instructions regardseat of honor in the synagogues and to ing how far a person could walk on the be greeted with respect in the market- Sabbath, which kind of knots could be tied, places. Woe to you! For you are like and how much weight could be carried. unmarked graves, and people walk over Healing a person was considered unlawful them without realizing it." work on the Sabbath, although rescuing a One of the lawyers answered him, trapped animal was permitted. No wonder "teacher, when you say these things, you Jesus condemned their additions to the insult us too." and he said, "Woe also to law, and for outwardly appearing holy, you lawyers! For you load people with but inwardly remaining full of corruption burdens hard to bear, and you your- and greed. selves do not lift a finger to ease them. Prayer Starter

Romans:2/1-11 Psalm:61/2-3,6-7,9 (62/1-2,5-6,8 Luke:11/42-46

Prayerful Awareness

It is easy to rationalize or justify in not helping others because we have already given to the Church, but a person who

Almighty Father in heaven, help us not only to understand your commandments, but to live them.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 17th October 2019 St.Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr Romans:3/21-30 Psalm:129/1-7 (130/1-6) Luke:11/47-54 Gospel Proclamation Please read Luke 11/47-54 prayerfully. Prayerful Awareness Jesus said you build memorials for prophets killed by your ancestors, therefore this generation will be charged with their blood. It is pointless building memorials as they themselves will be carrying the genes and the blood of their own ancestors who killed such prophets. It is apparent that they too may act the same way, and this was proved by their act in accusing Jesus who is above all prophets, and who only carried out righteous acts and gave people the message of God. Even in today’s corrupt society we see people acting this way, the very characters whom they oppose are later praised and monuments erected after their death mostly not from their own funds may be to gain popularity among the people or for political gains. Instead they should repent and do the Will of God guided by the Holy Spirit as to how they should repay for their sins or how to rectify for their past errors etc. Today we see how much man has drifted away from God to make money and wealth for themselves, to grab or rob a higher share of everything with no concern for the other. It is sad to say this could happen even in some religious organisations among leaders where their personal and selfish intentions may prop up hiding the spiritual values. How much man has used everything they can for themselves instead of trying to do the Will of God to bring glory to God our Creator. We conveniently forget that we are born

into this world to bring Glory to God our Creator (Isaiah 43 :7 ), to give Him the prime place in our lives and be His witnesses of love, as we all our created to His own image, the image of Love and Mercy. First Reading from St. Paul’s letter to Romans 3:21-30 points out, Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, through the forbearance of God– to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith. For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too? Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Prayer Starter God our Loving Father, we thank You for Your prophets and for Your begotten Son, our Saviour and Lord, who came into this world to pay for our sins and to show us the correct path to Salvation. We humbly ask for forgiveness of our sins through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord, and grant us Your Holy Spirit to give us Wisdom and live according to Your Will as Your witnesses, Amen

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 18th October 2019 2 Timothy:4/10-17 Psalm:144/10-13,17-18 (145/10-13,17-18) Luke:10/1-9

The Gospel Proclamation After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him .... "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ....... Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come bear to you.' Prayerful Awareness Today, on the feast of the Evangelist St. Luke, the Gospel presents to us the sending out of the seventy two disciples to announce the Good News of God in the villages and in the cities of Galilee. We are the seventy-two who come after the twelve. Through the mission of the disciples, Jesus seeks to recover the community values of the tradition of the people who felt crushed by the two-fold slavery of the Roman domination and by the official religion. Jesus tries to renew and organize the communities in such a way that again they are an expression of the covenant, an example of the Kingdom of God. This is why He insists on hospitality, sharing, communion and acceptance of the excluded. This insistence of Jesus is found in the advice that He gave to His disciples when He sent them out on mission. The mission of Jesus: Jesus sends out the disciples to the places where

St. Luke, Evangelist He wanted to go. They were the spokesperson of Jesus. He is not the owner of the Good News. He sends them out two by two. That favours reciprocal help, because the mission is not individual but rather it is a community mission. And it is co-responsible. So only we must pray to the Father for the continuity of the mission. The mission of evangelization has to trust in the hospitality of God. During the journey we are made to live a life of sharing what we have. The acceptance of the excluded takes a great place in this way. The disciples have to take care of the sick, cure the lepers and cast out devils. That means that as disciples of Jesus we must accept those who are excluded within the community. The overall literal saying is to proclaim that the Kingdom of God has arrived. To proclaim the Kingdom is not, in the first place, to teach truth and doctrine, but to lead towards a new way of living and living together as brothers and sisters, starting from the Good News which Jesus has proclaimed to us: God is Father and Mother of all of us! Our sonship Hospitality, sharing, communion, welcoming and acceptance of the excluded are the pillars which support community life, which is also expressed in the reading from St. Paul. * How does this take place in my community? * What does it mean for me to be a Christian? This was questioned by a journalist. The speaker answered: "I am a Christian. I try to live the Gospel, but I do not participate in the community of the Church". And the journalist commented: "Then do you consider yourself a football player without a team!" Is this my case? Prayer Starter Abba Father, Abba Mother, lead us in our journey of Evangelization! Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 19th October 2019

Sts.John de Brebeuf & Isaac Jogues

Romans:4/13,16-18 Psalm:104/6-9,42-43 (105/6-9,42-43) Luke:12/8-12

The Gospel Proclamation 'I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, the Son of man will declare himself for him in the presence of God's angels. But anyone who disowns me in the presence of human beings will be disowned in the presence of God's angels. 'Everyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven, but no one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven. 'When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.' From the First Proclamation: For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith….. Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord Holy Spirit, guide us towards correct comprehension; we need Right Understanding, even as our beloved Lord Jesus was given whilst He walked the earth...... What do we mean by Faith; in practical terms? Is this not a question of a Firm Belief, of Trust in God’s universal providence, and the extent of

it, under all circumstances? Would not this trust satisfy us when (we perceive that we are) in peril, and encourage us to rest in God and continue in the way of obedience and duty as commanded by the Word of God? To walk the ‘Narrow Path’ as it were, as against the broad way- the frivolous, unfocussed, unprincipled, impulsive, self centered ways of the world…. Providence takes notice of the meanest of creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples’ of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor show them favour. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. Prayer Starter O heavenly Father, the source of all Love, we are created so that You could flow out and love us.....and in fact it is Your own divine ‘stuff’, the energy and intelligence that is You that spawned this universe....! There is no way that we could be, without You in us, whilst You surround and envelop us...! We can never ever be separated from You....thank You for revealing this to us, which is foundationally what Jesus our Lord revealed to us by His experience that You are ABBA the Father...... Let this Word resonate within my heart and mind constantly! May the faith of Abraham, of Jesus, be granted us....

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 20th October 2019 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time World Mission Sunday PS Wk I Exodus:17/6-13 Psalm:120/1-8 (121/1-8) 2 Timothy:3/14-4/2 Luke:18/1-8 OR Isaiah:2/1-5 Psalm:19/1-4 Ephesians:3/2-12 Mark:16/15-20

Introduction Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time has been set apart by the Holy Mother the Church as World Mission Sunday which is a journey of experience that goes hand in hand. St. Therese the little flower of Jesus is considered the Patron Saint means she is inviting us today with much love and compassion to offer intercessory prayer for the laity and religious engaged in missionary activity all over the world. Missionary work and prayer of the missionaries for her intercessory work accomplished within the four walls of her convent while St. Francis Savior is crowned with the same title for his unique missionary endeavour. We too should open ourselves to the mission entrusted to us as people anointed through Baptism. And with firm determination to make intercession before God for those involved in this great task, let us prepare ourselves to reflect on the word of God. The First Proclamation ... Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my

hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. .... Prayerful Awareness We can understand Mountain Top in the Old Testament as a meeting place with God. When Moses and his people were attacked, as the leader the word given by Moses through the inspiration of God and the decision to present themselves before the Lord was in consequence of God's own guidance. "As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage." When he and his flock come to face constant struggle and hardship, if the shepherd takes initiative to present himself before the Lord and to work in accordance with God's guidance, victory will be theirs which is made clear even through the first proclamation. One who engages in the service of God should take precaution to accomplish many a task through the guidance of God rather than trying to do it with his own power and strength. Though it does not come within the sphere of human intelligence and logic, all will come to experience this great blessing simply through paying heed to the guidance of God. The Second Proclamation But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom I solemnly urge you, proclaim the message, be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable, convince, rebuke and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. Prayerful Awareness Where there is honour, praise, appreciation and encouragement and since it is a fitting environment to proclaim the Word in carrying the Good News we naturally tend to desire and prefer to preach the gospel in such circumstances. Yet today, St. Paul addressing young Timothy says, "Proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it." Therefore even if the success of our mission is not visible to the human eye, the measuring rod of success or failure should not be external signs or praise. Hence, whether welcome or unwelcome, let us act as missionaries who preach the gospel insistently. The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.' And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?....

Prayerful Awareness Through the Gospel Proclamation the Lord points out the need to pray continually for which He uses two characters – an unjust judge and a helpless widow with no security and protection. In her utter helplessness her incessant pleading before the judge resulted in receiving her just rights. In reference to the parable Jesus points out that God will show mercy and justice to all those who pray to Him and cry to Him day and night. Thus the Gospel today presents us with the need of being steadfast in praying continually. We have no right to set a certain time limit to our prayer. The emphasis is on the need to pray continually with faith. Our son-ship • St. Paul throughout his missionary work requests the help of the intercessory prayer of others for the simple reason that the way to surmount obstacles in mission is prayer (Colossians4. 2-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2) Therefore, we too should constantly engage in intercessory prayer for all the missionaries throughout the world and that through it all the glory of God be manifested. • Can we be satisfied with the mission accomplished by us during this time period that we are called to engage in the mission of St. Joseph Vaz in difficult areas? • As a renewed Christian, do I lead a life of experiencing, giving witness and engaged in the missionary activity of the Kingdom. Prayer Starter Abba Father, Abba Mother, give us courage and strength to act with a deeper awareness of the grave responsibility of our vocation to proclaim Your Kingdom and in face of defeat and failure to offer our prayer and supplication in total dependence on You. Amen!

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 21st October 2019 the things you have prepared whose Romans:4/20-25 will they be?' So it is with those who Psalm: Luke:1/69-75 store up treasures for themselves but Luke:12/13-21 are not rich towards God." Gaze on Jesus

The First Proclamation No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now the words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. The Gospel Proclamation Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Then he told them a parable. "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?" Then he said, 'I will do this ... And I will say to my soul, 'Soul you have ample goods laid up for many years, relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And

Jesus' words to the one who said to him 'Bid my brother to divide the family inheritance with me' "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions". Thus Jesus gives out the word of God to him. "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul" (Mark 8/36). Jesus' parable of the rich fool is the same "Fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared whose will they be?" He who lays up treasures for himself is not rich towards God. Prayerful Awareness As we read in the first proclamation of God's Love, Abraham's faith in God was his righteousness and St. Paul in his letter to the Romans continues to say, "This is not only to Abraham but for us too who believe in the Lord's resurrection. He was put to death for our trespasses and He was raised for our justification." We are in the world but not of the world. We are born in to this world for the specific purpose of building the Kingdom of God on earth and not building up riches on earth. Let us beware of all covetousness, for man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Prayer Starter Blessed be Jesus Our Lord and Saviour for He has redeemed us and has raised up a horn of salvation for us. Let us serve Him without any fear in holiness and righteousness. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 22nd October 2019 Romans:5/12,15,17-21 Psalm:39/7-10,17 (40/6-9,16) Luke:12/35-38 Gospel Proclamation Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. .... Prayerful Awareness Gird your loins and lamps and await the Master. If we do so the Master will be pleased. If we be awake, not to fall into sin of the world or the ruler of the world who lead us to sin, to reject sin and accept Lord who is Righteous, Lord the Master will be pleased for doing His Will. We forget that we belong to God as He created us. He created us to His own image, Image of Love and Mercy. Isaiah 43 :7 says “Everyone who is named as mine, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Therefore as we belong to God Almighty, we are called to love Him and others and be full of mercy to all, as God is full of mercy. God created everything through His Word, through the Lord of the Word, the Second Person in the Holy Trinity. We are all entrusted to Him, and this is why God sent Him to save mankind from sin and guide them to receive salvation for their spirit to live forever with God, in the Kingdom of God. For God promised salvation to everyone who accepts His Son as their Lord. Jesus came into this world and fulfilled His task to pay for our sins by His Passion, Death and Resurrection, where God raised Him to the highest level to be

St. John Paul II, Pope

with Him on His right side. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our lives are pledged to our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ through Baptism, and from then onwards being guided by the Holy Spirit of God to live as children of God, and to do the Will of God. Do we pray to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to Help us, Teach us and Guide us in to the correct path, and guide us to receive salvation. First Reading is from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. “Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned. If by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all.” Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, we accept You as our Saviour and Lord and we thank You for paying for our sins and saving us from eternal death. Forgive all our sins which we do knowingly and unknowingly. Grant to us the Holy Spirit and His Wisdom to know and avoid all sins and to live happily as children of God, praising Him in everything, in Your Name Lord, Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 23rd October 2019 Romans:6/12-18 Psalm:123/1-4 (124/1-8) Luke:12/39-48

The Gospel Proclamation But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Peter said, "Lord are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what the master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required, and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

St. John of Capestrano, Priest Gaze at Jesus Jesus, the first warrior and Son of God, conquered worldly forces by dying to self-indulgence and drew the Church to His Father's Kingdom. In today's Gospel, Lord Jesus speaks of His Second Coming to establish the Kingdom proper. Our sonship God's Holy love stretches beyond materialism and prosperity. The mission of His Church is to help God's people to take the inner journey to experience God's Holy love. Lord Jesus is warning those entrusted with responsibility to be mindful of their responsibility and guard against the forces, which He conquered. We have become Jesus' co-workers, by His precious Blood. Whether be priest, nun or layman, we collectively form Lord's Holy Church and are entrusted with the mission to speak of our own redeeming encounters with God. To the extent we experience Lord's redeeming love, we are also empowered by His Holy Spirit to speak of our testimonies to bring others to encounter Jesus Christ the Redeemer. Today's scripture also awakens us to accept the limitedness of our own resources, including the laws. Laws are necessary for those who do not know the Holy Spirit. In union with the Holy Spirit, it is timely we collectively as God's Holy Church, re-investigate the workload we delve in perceiving they are Godly missions. Let the Holy Spirit show us where we need change and embrace the strength and the vastness of Christ's saving grace. Prayer Starter To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until he has mercy upon us. (Ps/123/1-2..)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 24th October 2019 changed the world than Christianity. The gospel of Jesus Christ is first and above all else a “fire,” enkindled and sparkling, pervading and transforming the whole body. If the gospel was a mere tame and spiritless influence, a mere soothing and stroking down of human faults and passions, a balm for the wrongs and woes of fallen nature, it would have differed in The First Proclamation many other respects from the thing which I am speaking in human terms Jesus Christ brought to us from heaven. because of your natural limitations. It certainly would not have caused strife For just as you once presented your or disagreements, or violence or discord. members as slaves to impurity and to It has enkindled the Christian soul with greater and greater iniquity, so now the fire of love, and the fire of zeal, and present your members as slaves to the fire of an out-spoken boldness, and righteousness for sanctification. the fire of even an impatient and intolWhen you were slaves of sin, you erant hatred of misery and wickedness. were free in regard to righteousness. It is this which has done great things in So what advantage did you then get the earth in the name of Christ and God; from the things of which you now are it is this which has demolished idols; it ashamed? The end of those things is is this which has toppled down slavery; death. But now that you have been it has made missionaries strong, and freed from sin and enslaved to God, martyrs brave, and churches militant; it the advantage you get is sanctification. has provoked the rage of the world and The end is eternal life. For the wages the devil; but it has also shown enemies of sin is death, but the free gift of God that “greater is He that is with us, than he is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. that is in the world.” “I am come to set fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it The Gospel Proclamation were already kindled?” It is kindled now. “I came to set the earth on fire, Ages and generations have lived in the and how I wish it were already kin- blaze of that fire, and Christ, who knows dled! I have a baptism to receive, and what is in man, loves that fire better than how distressed I am until it is over! the tame sluggishness, the lifeless stupor, Do you suppose that I came to bring the false peace which prevails everypeace to the world? No, not peace, where where that fire has not touched. but division. From now on a family of Is it kindled round us? Is it kindled in five will be divided, three against two us? Are we a stagnant, lethargic, lifeless and two against three. Fathers will be multitude? Or, are we of the kindled, against their sons, and sons against inspired, living, and life-breathing few? their fathers; mothers will be against Prayer Starter their daughters, and daughters against Dearest Lord as the recipients and their mothers; mothers-in-law will be against their daughters-in-law, and bearers of Your divine word, we pray that daughters-in-law against their moth- You let Your fire burn within us, never to be extinguished, so that we could go out ers-in-law.” and speak Your truth boldly without fear Prayerful Awareness and shame to the brothers and sisters who There is no other institution or move- have embraced this world and become ment that has greatly transformed and complacent. Amen

Romans:6/19-23 Psalm:1/1-4,6 Luke: 12/49-53

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 25th October 2019 Romans:7/18-25 Psalm:119/66, 68, 76, 77, 93,94 Luke:12/54-59

The First Proclamation For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! ... Prayerful Awareness A civil aware within us .... The inner struggle Paul speaks of in this para is felt by everyone within oneself. Evil or evil forces are there and are at work in every one. The pull within is two-pronged one good and the other evil. Feelings of frustration engulf us and often we see what is good but are unable to do it. "Forbidden fruit tastes sweetest" is a common proverb. We strive even after what is forbidden. The good we hope to do often evades us and the evil somehow gets accomplished. Paul was haunted by this feeling of frustration - his ability to see what was good and his inability to do it, his ability to make out what was wrong and his inability to refrain from doing it. "Don't blame the Lord for your

sin; the Lord does not cause what He hates. Do not claim that He has misled you; He does not need the help of sinners to accomplish His purposes. The Lord hates evil in all its forms, and those who fear the Lord find nothing attractive in evil. When, in the beginning the Lord created human beings, He left them free to do as they wished. If you want to do, you can keep the Lord's commands. You can decide whether you will be loyal to Him or not. He has placed fire and water before you; reach out and take whichever you want. You have a choice between life and death; you will get whichever you choose. The Lord's wisdom and power are great and He sees everything. He is aware of everything a person does and He takes care of those who fear Him. He has never commanded anyone to be wicked or given anyone permission to sin. "The defenses of the soul are seen at their strongest when the evil which has been resisted is also strong. The presence of temptation does not necessarily imply moral imperfection on the part of the one who is tempted. In that case, Our Divine Lord could not have been tempted at all. An inward tendency toward evil, such as man has, is not a necessary condition for an onslaught of temptation. The temptation of Our Blessed Lord was not the perversion of natural appetites to which the rest of men are tempted; rather, it was an appeal to Our Lord to disregard His divine mission and His Messianic work. The temptation that comes from without does not necessarily weaken character, indeed, when conquered, it affords an opportunity for holiness to increase. If He was to be the Pattern Man, He would have to teach us how to gain holiness by overcoming temptation. (Archbishop F.J.Sheen) Prayer Starter I will never neglect Your instructions, because by them You have kept me alive. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 26th October 2019 Romans:8/1-11 Psalm:23/1-6 24/1-6 Luke:13/1-9

The First Proclamation Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. ... Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human nature desires; those who live in the Spirit have their minds on spiritual things. And human nature has nothing to look forward to but death, while the Spirit looks forward to life and peace, because the outlook of disordered human nature is opposed to God, since it does not submit to God's Law, and indeed it cannot, and those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God. ..... Fix your gaze on Jesus We do not like our present experience of constant dis-satisfaction, plagued by feelings of unworthiness, constantly stressed-up because of our fears regarding what the future holds for us, and angry at the manner we've been treated in the past, all those bad things been done to us by so many, especially by those whom we considered to be close to us and whom we trusted to love us .... of course we did respond in kind; it has to be tit for tat, right? That is after-all human nature! But, now Lord, you seem to be saying something different! Today's Good News appear to tell me that you cherish me, that you hold

me worthy and that I am absolved of all that weight of guilt and pain I've been experiencing; that treasures are heaped upon me, us, Humanity, the apex of your creation! That your Spirit is choosing to stay in me, to guide me and make me anew, complete, beautified, loving, and that the horrendous past is no more; that I am free from all that, and more. I am now becoming aware of the magnificence of your creation, and my life taste becomes so much better; life becomes an endless 'NOWâ&#x20AC;? to be experienced and enjoyed, to be loved and to love in return, to work in the best way we each are uniquely and differently enabled, towards the betterment of ourselves and our brethren, our environment, our fellow creatures, the whole of this living sphere we presently call earth.... A tree is judged by the fruit it engenders; so too is our behaviour the result of the inner habitual thought processors. We are all to realise, the 'Mind of the Christ'- His way of thinking replacing our present 'Each to his/her own ways'. Then will we live by the truth and in love, our life experience becoming as depicted above. Otherwise, we'd continue to experience a wholly different taste in life, for the most part quite disliked, unproductive and bad. Jesus explains the outcome then in His parable of the Vineyard owner cutting down the unproductive tree. Do we choose to be cut down as unproductive and useless and maybe even destructive on the whole, or nourish ourselves in the 'Living Word' and bear good fruit? Make your choice... Prayer Starter Thank You dear Abba for the immeasurable relief You are providing us with, You are truly my Mother.....

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 27th October 2019 30th Sunday of Ordinary TimePS Wk II Sirach:35/15-17,20-22 Psalm:33/2-3,17-19,23 (34/1-2,16-8,22) 2 Timothy:4/6-9,16-18 Luke:18/9-14

Entrance Antiphon Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. Introduction As we step on to the thirtieth Sunday, holy mother the Church invites us to seek the Lord with humble hearts. Challenging are the words proclaimed by Jesus through the Eucharistic theme of the day. "The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted,â&#x20AC;ŚThe humble man's prayer will carry to the clouds." Thus states the first proclamation. Even the psalmist speaks of the love of God that extends to the helpless, the poor and the persecuted: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save." St. Paul too with surety exclaims, "All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me," for he did experience Jesus Christ whom he went seeking with a humble heart, poor in spirit. The Gospel proclamation reminds us of the necessity of a prayer life for a deep relationship with God. Let us invoke the Lord to gift us with the longing to seek Him. The First Proclamation And do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge,

and with him there is no partiality. He will not show partiality to the poor; but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan, or the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted, and his prayer will reach to the clouds. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches its goal; it will not desist until the Most High responds and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment. Indeed, the Lord will not delay, and like a warrior will not be patient until he crushes the loins of the unmerciful. Prayerful Awareness God who is love comes to the rescue of those who seek refuge in Him. God loves us equally with no distinction. Immense is his love, who is no respecter of personages. Widows, the oppressed, the poor and the orphans are helpless and vulnerable. For this reason, they who pleaded with Him at every moment of their lives experienced that He is their only refuge and shield. He was a righteous Judge who did justice to them. And those who believe in Him will receive His abundant mercy. The Second Proclamation As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearance. Do your best to come to me soon, At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. Prayerful Awareness St. Paul the persecutor of Christians that attempted destroying Christianity, turned out to be a disciple, carrying good news to the Gentiles, after his encounter with the risen Lord. Since his conversion he committed himself and offered up his entire life for the cause of Christ. His only aim and objective was to own Christ and thus to inherit eternal life of which he speaks to his community. Proclaiming that even though every one of them deserted him the Lord stood by him, he invites all to experience the joy that was his, simply by belonging to Christ. The Gospel Proclamation He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people, thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of all my income'. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sin-

ner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." Prayerful Awareness In the Jewish society Pharisees were considered righteous and their fame was wide spread as people whose life was in great conformity with their religion. Tax collectors were Jews who gathered taxes for the Roman government. They collected more than what was due from the people, thus oppressing them. According to the parable, out of the two engaged in prayer, it was the tax collector who underwent a total conversion of heart. Prayer is building up of a deep relationship between me and my God. It is an opportunity to communicate with Him, to converse with Him, a moment of allowing Him to love me, a time of opening myself to His love seeing who I am really. An encounter with the Lord paves the way to a deep conversion and a life transformation. Let us gaze on the Lord Who is inviting us to repent and transform our lives. Our sonship As a renewed Christian with a Christ encounter, is my life similar to the one led by St. Paul? Is my aim and objective in life to commit myself to Christ and belong to Him? How much do I thirst for prayer that is of prime importance to an authentic Christian life? Let us reflect on ourselves and repent. Prayer Starter Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. (Ps.33/2, 3)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 28th October 2019 Ephesians:2/19-22 Psalm:18/2-5 (19/1-3) Luke:6/12-19

The Gospel Proclamation Now during those days he went out to the mountains to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles. ... He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Gaze on Jesus Jesus has chosen twelve Apostles from among His disciples after spending a whole night in prayer with the Father. Everything Jesus did was in accordance with the Will of the Father. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me." (John 6:38) The success of His mission depends on the apostles: other people's faith will depend on them. For the simple reason that Christ chose them and entrusted His church to them, they will be tested in a thousand ways. Therefore Jesus wants to safeguard them through the power of prayer. "I pray for them .... but for those who belong to you and whom you have given to me." (John 17:9). The day before His death He will have

Sts.Simon & Jude, Apostles the consolation that not one of those the Father gave Him (except the one who is already lost) has been lost. (John 17:11). Prayerful Awareness An apostle is one who is sent. It is not he who speaks, but Christ in him. The apostle filled with Christ is saturated with the thought of Christ the Lord, Whom he represents and Who is the substance of his life. What he teaches is not what he has learned from personal 'experience' or 'revelation', it is God's word, uttered upon God's command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations .... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19) To this alone has the apostle been called and his very limitations seem an added protection to the truth he bears. St. Paul who experienced so deeply the simultaneous greatness and questionasble nature of aspostledom says in 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 "For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honour, but we in disrepute! To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless, when persecuted, we endure; when slandered we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day." Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, I believe I am what I am today because the Father has ordained that I should follow You and live according to the teachings of Your Church. May You enable me to resist the negative pressures that keep on coming at every moment and from unexpected quarters.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 29th October 2019 Romans:8/18-25 Psalm:125/1-6 (126/1-6) Luke:13/18-21 Gospel Proclamation 'Jesus asked, “What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make their nests in its branches.” Again, Jesus asked, “What shall I compare the Kingdom of God with? It is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with forty litres of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.” Gaze at Jesus’ Sonship Jesus was the Kingdom of God and in Him were the characteristics we attribute as values of the Kingdom of God. They can be described as, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and He was full of self-control which brought a lot of peace, love and joy and security to Himself and to the others around Him. Our sonship Therefore, an experience of the Kingdom of God comes with our relationship with Jesus who has given us the Holy Spirit to enable us to live the values of the Kingdom of God. In Romans chapter 8:18-25 St. Paul speaks of the creation that is groaning and of the future glory. 'I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal His children. For creation was condemned to lose its

purpose, not of its own will, but because God willed it to be so. Yet there was the hope that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God's gifts also groan within ourselves, as we wait for God to make us his children and set our whole being free. Personal Experience: A friend who has returned to Sri Lanka was describing his experiences while he was employed abroad. He said he was excelling in his place of employment, when he was framed with false allegations by his jealous boss. He said, at the meeting they had alleging him of false accusations, instead of making him defend himself, the Holy Spirit led him to be quiet. Finally, when he came out of the meeting, he had gone to church, prostrated before the Blessed Sacrament and handed over all his emotions, all what he was not allowed to say by the Holy Spirit and the actions of those who were persecuting him, to the Lord. With immense spiritual joy he now says, he is thankful to the Holy Spirit who led him that day. He said he was blessed double fold. Later the boss who took credit to what my friend accomplished, had come to him one day for financial help because he had gone bankrupt. He said he was able to share Christ with him. Prayer Starter Dear Holy Spirit, You are our friend, counselor and our advocate. Bless us with the character traits required to become the yeast of the earth. Take the little we possess like the mustard seed and make it whole for our good, and for the good of others so that they may come to know Jesus.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 30th October 2019 shared the Eucharist does not mean we are saved. We have to decide, the option is whether we enjoy all the comforts of this life and lead a selfish life or be satisfied with what we get and be mindful of the poor and those who are distressed in life. This does not mean that we should not go forward in progress and reach prosperity. Jesus awakens us by revealing to us through the Scripture, "Deny yourThe Gospel Proclamation self, carry the cross and follow me", for Jesus went through one town and He is the Way the Truth and Life. The village after another, teaching as he whole New Testament witnesses to this made his way to Jerusalem. Someone great truth. Jesus chose the narrow path, asked him, "Lord, will only a few be thereby experiencing Father God's love saved?" He said to them, "Strive to and dependence in building the Kingdom enter through the narrow door; for of God and finally attains heavenly bliss. many, I tell you, will try to enter and According to the First Proclamation, will not be able. When once the owner the Spirit is there for us in our weaknesses of the house has got up and shut the and prays in us, for us. The Spirit teaches door and you begin to stand outside with works, with groans, sensations and and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, hopes that cannot be worded or imaged. open to us,' then in reply he will say to But our hearts are searched and the Spirit you, 'I do not know where you come prays for what we need, individually and from.' Then you will begin to say, as God's people. Paul describes to us in 'We ate and drank with you, and you the most loving and inspiring words, of taught in our streets.' But he will say, God's action in us through His Spirit. 'I do not know where you come from, The providence of the Father covers all go away from me, all you evildoers!' .... the events of our lives. Nothing happens Indeed, some are last who will be first, in the world, in our family, in our lives and some are first who will be last." merely by chance or because it was so destined. Those whom He knows beforePrayerful Awareness hand. Paul stresses the personal attention While reading today's Gospel the the Father gives to each one of us. Those verses made me wonder as to how dif- whom God chose from the beginning of ficult it is to enter the Kingdom of God, the world. God has known us in Christ. to gain eternal life. The person who How different from human parents who questioned from Jesus, "Lord, will only do not know their children before birth. a few be saved", would have expected a He has known and loved us from the very cut and dry answer. Jesus' answer was, moment He created us. "Do your best to enter by the narrow Prayer Starter door, for many I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." Dear Father God, I know You have Yes, this is an open invitation to all blessed me with many good things. So of us and it is quite timely as today our I thank You immensely and depend on lives are at stake and uncertain. Jesus You for my day to day requirements. tells us that we must come in through Holy Spirit empower me to share what I the narrow door of the Word of God, the get with the needy, for Your great glory. Kingdom of the least and the poor. Just Amen. because we have been baptized or have

Romans:8/26-30 Psalm: 12/4-6 (13/3-6) Luke:13/22-30

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 31st October 2019 Romans:8/31-39 Psalm:109/21-22, 26-27, 30-31 Luke:13/31-35

The First Proclamation What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...... The Gospel Proclamation At that very time, some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Gaze on Jesus The scripture passage is an ideal expression of Jesus' desire to reach out, gather, and heal God's family even at the cost of His own life. Take heed of the words underlined in the above scripture passage to feel Lord's sentiments towards Israel, which stay true even today towards you and me. Our sonship In the first reading, St. Paul who constantly cherished the closeness of the Lord, wants to convince his fellow faithful in Rome about the loyalty of the Lord. In vs. 31-35 he says, "After saying this, what can we add? If God is for us, who can be against us? Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will freely give us all his gifts? Who can bring any accusation against those that God has chosen? When God grants saving justice, who can condemn? Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus, who died - yes and more, who was raised from the dead and is at God's right hand - and who is adding his plea for us? Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ - can hardships or distress, or persecution, or lack of food and clothing, or threats or violence?" Our sonship Let us prayerfully become aware of the Holy Spirit in us. He now reveals to us those situations that need Lord Jesus'' redeeming grace; frictional thoughts, memories, physical conditions, our sinful natures. Meditatively open those conditions to the Lord and sense His own Spirit enter our inner being bringing healing and peace! Prayer Starter Help me, O Lord my God, because of Your constant love save me! (Ps:109/26....

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

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