Walk in the Spirit May 2020 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT May 2020 Issue 339 Commencement March 1992

"Abba Father ! Abba Mother!"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER May 2020 I see that the four experiences gifted us must bear the Stamp of the Blessed Mother. She as the first and the greatest disciple of Jesus Christ is the example par-excellence of One who lived at the greatest depth of these four gifts. * Her Emptiness and Spirit filled with life. * Her experience of the “Sonship” of Jesus. * Her personal experience of “Jesus’Life”, “daughter of “Sion”. * Her total abandonment and surrender to the Abba. She mothers me when I explicitly call upon her to nurture and sustain the life of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has begun in me. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

Friday 1st May 2020 Acts:9/1-20 Psalm:116/1,2 (117/1-2) John:6/52-59 OR Genesis:1/26-2/3 OR Colossians:3/14-15,17, 23-24 Psalm:89/2-4,12-14,16 Matthew:13/54-58

Introduction Today is May Day, also known as the Workers’ Day, and hence is dedicated by the Church to Saint Joseph the Worker, Foster Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Gospel reading in this regard says thus: ‘And coming into His own country, He taught them in their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: How came this man by this wisdom and miracles? Is not this the carpenter’s son? ….. Whence therefore hath he all these things? And they were scandalized in His regard.’ The First Proclamation And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings … And as he went on his journey, ... suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. … And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. ... .

St. Joseph, the Worker Gospel Proclamation The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever. These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capernaum. Prayerful Awareness In today’s Gospel Proclamation our Lord gives a pre introduction of the Eucharistic Celebration He later officially instituted at the Last Supper on Holy (Maundy) Thursday. Those (whether Gentile or Jew) who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ for all that He Is, become members of the Body of Christ, and are nourished by partaking of the Holy Eucharist at Holy Mass, whereby we receive the power to do His Will, and also gain eternal Life as promised in the above Gospel passage. Let us recognize the awesome grace that the Lord has bestowed on us believers, and let us worship and thank and praise Him for it! Song of Praise (Psalm 117: 1bc, 2) O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 2nd May 2020

St. Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor

Acts:9/31-42 Psalm: 115/12-17 (116/12-17) John:6/60-69

The First Proclamation ..... Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bed-ridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you, get up and make your bed!" And immediately he got up. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, .... At that time she became ill and died. ... Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, .... Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up..... The Gospel Proclamation Many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it? But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that

I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Gaze at Jesus' Sonship This particular discourse produced one of the greatest crises in Our Lord's life. Not only His disciples but also others including the intellectuals, spiritual leaders, the elite and the common masses found it hard to accept. This doctrine was too much for them. This revelation was too hard that it cracked them wide open. May be they found it easy to understand but hard to accept. He lost the masses. The masses were generally interested only in wonders and in security. When He multiplied the loaves and fishes, He startled their eyes. When He filled their stomachs, He satisfied their sense of social justice. That was the kind of king they wanted, a bread king. "What else can religion do for men, anyway, except give him social security" they seemed to ask. The masses tried to force Him to become a king. That is what Satan wanted, too! Fill gullets, turn stones into bread, and promise prosperity - this is the end of living to most mortals. Prayer Starter Help us to seek and cherish the values of life. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 3rd May 2020

Fourth Sunday of Easter Vocations Sunday

Acts:2/36-41 Psalm: 22/1-6 (23/1-6) 1 Peter:2/20-25 John:10/1-10

Introduction Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter is also called the Good Shepherd Sunday. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ took the initiative to offer up His life for the sake of His flock, to protect them and to lead them to green pastures. All such statements illustrate the love and concern of Christ in giving up His life for us. Therefore as a flock traversing the new pastures that He won for us, let us thirst to follow Him during this Easter season. Entrance Antiphon The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made. The First Proclamation Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him. And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who

Ps Wk IV

welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. Prayerful Awareness

Empowered by the Holy Spirit in the upper room, St. Peter addresses the crowd as the leader of the community cause of which was the life transformation effected through the power of the Holy Spirit. As such he challenges his audience that paid heed to him to acknowledge Jesus whom they crucified as their Lord and God. The response of the people who listened to St. Peter is given as "they were cut to the heart" which means the repentance and conversion resulted. Prior to the mission of Christ, John the Baptist called the people for baptism through repentance. Even St. Peter's invitation is to repent in order to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. The baptism of John the Baptist is by way of preparing people to welcome the Messiah. Yet Peter's invitation is to enjoy the baptism of the Holy Spirit that entails a total life transformation which three thousand people were fortunate to have experienced. The Second Proclamation If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was abused, he did not return abuse, when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Prayerful Awareness Peter modeling his life on that of Jesus indicates that, even his community should be followers of Christ walking in His footsteps and that he is sure to receive God's approval. Therefore let us not stray away but return to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. The Gospel Proclamation Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way, is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Prayerful Awareness In today's Gospel Proclamation we find the infinite love of God for His flock which includes both paternal and maternal love. Even though a father could say 'I am the shepherd' only a mother could say, 'I am the gate for the sheep' since it is the mother who opens the life gate through which a child is born to

the world. It is a mother's love than a father's, that calling the sheep by name, fondles them with love and care. The image pictured before us today through this parable is the image of a mother, as a shepherd that leads his flock to the green pastures than a father, who gave birth to the lambs and nurses them holding them in his/her arms. Our sonship The proclamations of the day reveal the immense love of Jesus Christ to everyone who belongs to His flock. We also can see the figure of a good shepherd in King David who fought for his sheep at the cost of his life. He bravely opted to save the Israelites from Philistines and Goliath, yet not harmed. In the New Testament, Jesus offers up His life in a unique manner for His sheep so that they may have life. How much do we experience the life won by Christ through His life sacrifice? In face of life struggles and challenges, do we act like sheep entering through the life gate thus won for us? Prayer Starter Let us make space for the Holy Spirit that we may surrender to His shepherding and to adhere to His guidance. Let us detect our shadowy side, capital sin, inner wounds and compulsions that hinder access to the Holy Spirit. Let us repent and open ourselves to the power of the Spirit. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where He gives me repose. Near restful waters He leads me to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; He is true to His name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with Your crook and Your staff; with these You give me comfort.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 4th May 2020 Acts:11/1-18 Psalm:41/2-3; 42/3-4 (42/1-2; 43/3-4) John:10/11-18 OR 10/1-10

The First Proclamation ... And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou went in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision….the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common….immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting…. and as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. . ....

The Gospel Proclamation

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep....I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father..... And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and I must lead these too. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, one shepherd.... and this is the command I have received from my Father. Fix your gaze on Jesus

In hearing the Living Word, we come to believe; in believing, we receive justification and experience redemption and saving, true freedom…to be children of the Almighty… There is a common human fallacy; what we think we ‘know’ or ‘understand’ becomes the biggest obstacle for our growth in knowledge and understanding! Take the case of the understanding that the earth was flat. This is the initial interpretation of the sensory data we receive. This then becomes a belief. This became so accepted, that even the church stood by this (unscriptural) belief then, and called any other concept (model) heretical! We have since allowed the Whole Spirit to journey us closer towards the truth. But, let’s be aware of the trap! We do NOT know the Truth yet, and are still on a journey there-to! Therefore, just like these early circumcised faithful were trapped by the belief that the Saviour was exclusively for the Hebrews/Israelites and pressed this point with St. Peter, we too today may be trapped by the belief that only we Christians receive God’s redemption! Let’s be cognizant of the fact that ALL creatures (humans and others) are the Children of God, and open our minds and hearts to the wider creation constantly receiving the loving care of the Creator God! Listen to Jesus who proclaims there is a wider family needing His love and care….let’s wean ourselves away from our sinful exclusionary tribal orientation to an inclusive accepting and loving orientation…! Let’s open ourselves up to be brothers/sisters to the whole of the creation…. Prayer Starter

Thank You Lord Jesus for accepting us in to Your fold, and now help us to Thank You O Lord for extending accept all those You want us to accept Your saving grace to us who were the as brethren, be one with All That Is in gentiles..... Abba our Mother....

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 5th May 2020 Acts:11/19-26 Psalm:86/1-7 (87/1-7) John:10/22-30

The Gospel Proclamation

and they know me and I give them eternal life and they will never perish." would have made them to wonder. Also, Jesus challenged them saying "I have already told you but you don't believe. The works I do in my Father's name proclaim who I am, but you do not believe because as I said you are not my sheep." The First Proclamation

At that time the festival of the Dedication of the Temple was being celebrated in Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the Temple when the people gathered around him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us the plain truth, are you the Messiah?" Jesus answered, "I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The deeds I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf, but you will not believe for you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me. What my Father has given me is greater than everything and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care. The Father and I are one. Gaze at Jesus

The persecution of Stephen would have generally been seen as a setback for the spreading of the Word of God to distant places. But it was not so. God has special plans. We see the events which appear to be obstacles, could be transformed into stepping stones to success by God. God is in control of every situation, specially the building up of His Church. Let us also grow in faith day by day. We are called to be awake to the presence of the Risen Lord with us to involve ourselves in evangelising activities. To confirm this, Jesus Himself told the disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always until the end of the age." (Mathew 28:19-20) My sonship

Jesus lived a life of total dependence from His Father God. That is why He was able to reveal whatever comes from God. He is the Shepherd Son of the Father and in turn He becomes the Shepherd of all the people entrusted to Him. In the above scripture reading Jesus promises to His fold about divine security. Jesus gives assurance to His disciples in front of the Jews who were not sure of His identity and not willing to accept Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus' answer "My sheep listen to my voice

Thank You Father God for giving us Jesus as our Shepherd Who is always mindful of His flock, giving total assurance of His love and care. May we cling on to Him with faith and be witnesses to build His Church. Amen.

Let me pause and reflect about myself. Do I accept Jesus as the Son of God and true Shepherd? Amidst a lot of voices can I recognise the voice of Jesus calling me? He speaks to me, "Come follow me." Prayer Starter

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 6th May 2020 Acts:12/24-13/5 Psalm:66/2-3,5,6,8 (67/1-2, 4-5, 7) John:12/44-50

Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus cried aloud, “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge: .... for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.” Prayerful Awareness Jesus declares that He is not alone but united with God the Father who sent Him into this world due to God’s great Love for mankind, to save man from eternal death and open the path of salvation. If we accept Jesus and believe in Him as the Son of God who came down from God to redeem the world due to God’s great Love, God will bless us with His Spirit of Love to know everything, about God, His great Love and about His creation. Isaiah 43:7 said “God created everyone for His glory whom He formed and made” to bring Him glory by spreading His Love to every creature. He created human beings in His own image - that is LOVE. We are called to be His witnesses in sharing His Love with everyone. Jesus said He came into this world as Light, to

be a Light to everyone who accepts Him, believe and observe His words. He came to add Love to everything, every WORD of God or law that was practiced without Love. He also said that He did not come to condemn the world but to save it, not to punish, but to request everyone to change - to repent and change. Zacchaeus who heard Jesus’ kind and loving words repented and changed to become a new man, promising to give back more than what he has taken from others. Jesus’ call is for every one of us to change, to put aside all our weaknesses and be a new person in Him and rely on Him. Also, He warns all persons who hear His words and do not accept His words and reject Him will be subject to condemnation on the last day. Jesus is our Saviour and Lord and only those who accept Him would be saved (Acts 16:31). First Reading refers to how Barnabas and Saul worked on spreading the Word of God, going from city to city with the power received from the special anointment from the Holy Spirit’s message. “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” We all have received the Blessing of the Holy Spirit at Baptism and most of us have received a special Blessing of the Holy Spirit to renew the pledge of our lives to Jesus our Lord in a bigger way and spread the Word of God with the power of the Holy Spirit received. This is the work the Lord entrusted us in Mark 16:15 Prayer starter We thank You Almighty God for Jesus whom we accept as our Leader, our Saviour, and our Lord, through whose intercession we received blessings of the Holy Spirit in a special way to renew the pledge of our lives to Jesus as, people appointed to spread Your Word. Please grant us Wisdom, Knowledge, and Power to spread Your Word as guided by the Holy Spirit in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 7th May 2020 er than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I The First Proclamation tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send .... Standing up, Paul motioned accepts me; and whoever accepts me with his hand and said: “Fellow Isra- accepts the one who sent me.” Prayerful Awareness elites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet. people of Israel chose our ancestors; Just before this incident Luke (22:24) in he made the people prosper during his account speaks of a dispute among their stay in Egypt; with mighty power the disciples as to who should be rehe led them out of that country; ..... garded the greatest. If we examine our All this took about 450 years. “After conscience, we too are no different from this, God gave them judges until the these disciples. We all have that inherent time of Samuel the prophet. Then the desire to have a place of prestige. If we people asked for a king, and he gave sincerely look at any discontent in our them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe lives, it’s mostly rooted in the fact that we of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. were slighted, we didn’t get recognized, After removing Saul, he made David we didn’t get the prestige we thought we their king. God testified concerning ought to have received. In every sphere him: ‘I have found David son of of life, desire for prominence and unJesse, a man after my own heart; he willingness to take a subordinate place, will do everything I want him to do.’ wreck the scheme of things. But there is “From this man’s descendants God only one kind of greatness, the greatness has brought to Israel the Savior Je- of service. The world is full of people sus, as he promised. ..... As John was who are standing on their dignity when completing his work, he said: ‘Who do they ought to be kneeling at the feet of you suppose I am? I am not the one their brethren. We have it in church, our you are looking for. But there is one work places etc, When we are tempted coming after me whose sandals I am to think of our dignity, our prestige, our not worthy to untie.’ rights, let us see again the picture of the The Gospel Proclamation Son of God, with a towel, kneeling at His “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ disciples' feet. A man with great humility and rightly so, for that is what I am. is truly a servant and king among men. Prayer Starter Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should Help me oh Lord to let go of my ego wash one another’s feet. I have set and pride and be humble before You and you an example that you should do my fellow men. Help me to remember as I have done for you. Very truly I Your example and let me decrease that tell you, no servant is greater than You may increase and Your Name be his master, nor is a messenger great- glorified. Amen.

Acts:13/13-25 Psalm:88/2-3,21-22, 25, 27 (89/1-2,20-21,24,26) John:13/16-20

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 8th May 2020 Acts:13/26-33 Psalm: 2/6-11 John:14/1-6 The First Proclamation Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God, to you the word of this salvation is sent. For they that inhabited Jerusalem, and the rulers thereof, not knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath, judging him have fulfilled them. And finding no cause of death in him, they desired of Pilate, that they might kill him. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, taking him down from the tree, they laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him up from the dead the third day..... Song of Praise But I am appointed king by him over Zion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment. The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel...... Gospel Proclamation Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself;

that where I am, you also may be. And whither I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me. Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, which together beautifully summarise the essence of the Salvation history as contained in the Holy Bible, from descendants of Abraham, to Gentiles, and to the ends of the earth, from the beginning of history to this day. Salvation is an undeserved gift (i.e. grace) given to man, earned for us through the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we need to only claim through faith! What Mercy! What Love! Notice the stupendous claim our Lord Jesus Christ makes to the effect: ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.’ ‘I AM’ is a reference of His oneness with Almighty God, Abba Father/Mother! Let us pause and prostrate ourselves before the Lord, for He is worthy of our utmost Adoration, Love, and Gratitude! For it is through our dear Lord Jesus Christ that we are reconciled to God Almighty to be His adopted children. And as His children, we have been bestowed God’s Holy Spirit to guide and guard us in our sojourn on the earth. He is within us, and around us (i.e. we live and have our being within Him!) (John 14:16-17), and He constantly transmits God’s Love to us which we can experience through our senses to the extent we awaken to it! Amen! Alleluia!

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 9th May 2020 father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in The First Proclamation the Son. If in my name, you ask me The next sabbath almost the for anything, I will do it. Gaze at Jesus' Sonship whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw People in the Old Testament thought the crowds, they were filled with of God as different and the distance jealousy; and blaspheming, they con- between Him and human beings was tradicted what was spoken by Paul. unfathomable. He was invincible. To Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke the people who thought like that Jesus out boldly, saying, "It was necessary told "Whoever has seen me has seen that the word of God should be spo- the Father." By His reaching down to ken first to you. Since you reject it frail human nature and lifting it up to and judge yourselves to be unworthy the incomparable prerogative of union of eternal life, we are now turning with Himself, human nature became to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has dignified. So real was this union that commanded us, saying "I have set all of His acts and words, all of His you to be a light for the Gentiles, so agonies and tears, all of His thoughts that you may bring salvation to the and reasonings, resolves and emotions, ends of the earth." while being properly human, were at the When the Gentiles heard this, same time the acts and words, agonies they were glad and praised the word and tears, thoughts and reasonings, reof the Lord, and as many as had solves and emotions of the eternal Son been destined for eternal life became of God." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen). "God believers. Thus the word of the Lord knows what it is to be tempted. The spread throughout the region. .... life of Jesus shows us not the serenity but the struggle of God. Anyone might The Gospel Proclamation conceive of a God Who lived in a seIf you know me, you will know renity and peace which were beyond the my Father, and we will be satisfied." tensions of this world, but Jesus shows Jesus said to him, "Have I been with us a God who goes through struggle you all this time, Philip, and you still that we must undergo. God is not like do not know me? Whoever has seen a commander who leads from behind me has seen the Father. How can you the lines; He too knows the firing line say, 'Show us the Father?' Do you not of life." (The New Daily Study Bible) believe that I am in the Father and the Prayer Starter Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but Help; us O Lord to forget self, carry the Father who dwells in me does his our cross and follow Thee. Amen works. Believe me that I am in the

Acts:13/44-52 Psalm:97/1-4 (98/1-4) John:14/7-14

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 10th May 2020

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts:6/1-7 Psalm:32/1-2,4-5,18-19 (33/1-2,4-5,18-19) 1 Peter:2/4-9 John:14/1-12

Introduction On this fifth Sunday of Easter the Holy Mother the Church is inviting us to encounter Christ and to maintain contact with Him and also to surrender ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. At the same time let us rejoice of our redemption and the vocation to inherit the divine son-ship. Moreover, He is our Way, the Truth and the Life while the Holy Spirit the One who guides us to the Truth. Our baptismal vocation is to be a kingly, priestly and prophetic people. Journeying through this vocation let us be witnesses of the Gospel, follow the Lord and enter into prayer pleading for the strength to do so. The First Proclamation Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." ...... Prayerful Awareness Most of the widows who had been

Ps Wk I abroad and in their old age coming to Jerusalem were eager to be buried in the Holy City after their death and they were in need of the help of others. Also it is stated that certain injustice has been done to the Hellenists in the daily distributions. The disciples convinced of their specific vocation, chose seven Hellenists full of the Spirit and of wisdom to serve tables. Also they prayed and laid their hands upon them for the power and the strength of the Holy Spirit to perform the allotted task. Moreover, even though they are not called "Deacons," in the Acts of the Apostles, their task was termed as "Diacohein" in Greek derived from the word Deacon and they were a set of people who could pray with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The Second Proclamation Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight; and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ â&#x20AC;Ś. To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner." and "A stone that makes them stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Prayerful Awareness Here Peter is introduced as a living stone by our Lord Himself. A life united with our Lord brings forth novelty in

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

which occurs a life transformation. For simply rejecting the Gospel the Jews were robbed of the power and strength of the Holy Spirit promised by our Lord while the Christians inherited it as a gift. Christ is the Head of the Church and we are its members. The second proclamation presents the Church as a spiritual house. Once we encounter the risen Lord there will not be any room for darkness and sin. Since Christ is our only Lord and King we are thus made a kingly, priestly and prophetic nation. St. Peter's invitation to the community then was to enter into this experience. This invitation extends to us Christians as well. The Gospel Proclamation Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but

the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Prayerful Awareness It was a moment that the disciples had been disturbed because of the information received from Jesus our Lord of His betrayal and departure. Similarly the magnitude of the Kingdom too is clearly depicted through His words. Moreover, no one can enter heaven except through Him Who is the Way, and the Truth and the Life while just like the Son and the Father, even the Holy Spirit is in union with each other. Therefore whoever sees the Lord Jesus also sees the Father and He bestows the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they may follow Him. The action of the Holy Spirit is so vast that it knows no bounds and is not confined to any time or space for the simple reason that the Spirit Himself is power as well as strength. Towards my sonship Let us be conscious for a moment. Are we still enslaved to sin or are we free? For us, Christians, when we encounter the risen Lord, when we experience Him, He becomes our only Way, and the Truth, and the Life. Let us allow the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to guide us and lead us, be participants of the divine son-ship and be children of light dispelling darkness and enter into prayer imploring for the needed strength and power. Prayer Starter Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.... (Ps.32/1 2....)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 11th May 2020 Acts:14/5-18 Psalm:113/1-4, 15-16 (115/1-4,15-16) John:14/21-26

The First Proclamation And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to mistreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, ..., And there they preached the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, ... The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet". And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, ‘The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men’. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein….. Fix your gaze on Jesus O how fallen our ways of thinking and conduct are, Lord Jesus: so prone to fixate on the impressions our primary senses provide us with!

The apostles spoke so plainly, with such evidence and proof of the Spirit, and with such power; so warmly, and with such concern for the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say, truly, God was with them. Yet, the result - the success - the miraculous healing was not due to the manner of their presentation or the preaching, but to the Spirit of God who used those means. We (just like those who witnessed this miracle) tend to look upon the persons (the channel) through that which the gift/ grace comes, and then deify the channel: and set about arranging sacrifices thereto, rather than coming in to the presence of the un-seeing all-loving Presence Jesus related to and revealed to us as ABBA our Mother. Similarly, we hoist our adoration on Material Things, believing that they give us succor. Providentially, God’s servants in this instance declared the truth, and guided the on-lookers thereto. All things are possible to those that could believe and relate to the unseeing all-loving Creator Who manifests in and through everything; this will empower us to be delivered from the spiritual helplessness to which we were born (our fallen state), and from the dominion of sinful habits formed since; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully in the ways of the Lord, experiencing our worthiness fully. Remember; He will not leave us orphans…we have communion with Him…and having Christ’s commands, we will keep them….and the Holy Trinity shall descend and live in us…and enable us to experience our son-ship more and more…praise the Lord! Prayer Starter Let us open up ourselves to be infused with the Spirit of our beloved Abba Amma; we are able to bring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, walk on water and feed a multitude with but a loaf ....

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 12th May 2020

Sts.Nereus & Achilleus, Martyrs

Acts:14/19-28 Psalm:144/10-13,21 (145/10-13,21) John:14/27-31

The Gospel Proclamation Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way. Prayerful Awareness Jesus is about to leave this world and go back to His Father God. But He feels for His followers so much, that He does not want to desert them. That is why He comforts them by building up their confidence that they will be definitely looked after and taken care of by the Helper, the Holy Spirit. According to world standards, if there is no peace, then there can only be war, conflict and violence. Jesus is speaking of a special kind of peace apart from the world, the inner peace and harmony which only Jesus could give. We should understand that there could be internal conflicts, anxieties,

fears and worries in our lives that take away the inner peace. It is evident that Jesus alone can grant us the kind of peace that is lasting. That is why Jesus, before leaving the world, gives us the gift which could overcome all conflicts, fears and sufferings. St. Augustine describes peace as "The Serenity of the mind, the simplicity of the heart and the tranquility of the soul". This sums up to say that the absence of Christ in our lives is the absence of peace. The peace which Jesus gives does not depend on material things. It is not lost when faced with crosses and troubles. IT is founded on and sustained by the grace of God which God grants us. This is true peace and is long lasting. In the First Proclamation Paul and Barnabas begin their missionary work in the Name of Christ preaching the Good News. They visit all the communities. While they preach they are persecuted, stoned and exiled before death. Our Sonship Let us gaze at ourselves. Do we make an effort to carry out the task of building God's Kingdom, as desired by Jesus? (Matthew 28;19). We could do so, in the very place we are - in our family circles, friends, in our places of work etc. Are we awake to grasp the opportunities that come our way, to share the word of God or our experiences of God? Are we proclaiming Jesus to others, by our living? Prayer Starter Forgive me Lord, for not going to Your holy presence as often as I should. Jesus, in Your presence I know there is peace and consolation which You freely give me. Holy Spirit, empower and enlighten me to spend more time for the spread of the Kingdom and thereby lift the hearts of more people towards You. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 13th May 2020

Our Lady of Fatima

heated argument among them, but they did not separate themselves from the church. They sought the guidance of the elders of the church. Even though both parties had their views based on their experience and beliefs, they were willing to find God's Will in the situation. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the "Real Vine". He is the real vine; He knew the Father; He knew how God prunes and cuts branches when it is required for the betterment of the person. As in the first reading, it is not always clear what is God's Will; it is through prayer and constant connection with the The First Proclamation Holy Spirit that helps discern the Will Then certain individuals came of God. down from Judea and were teaching Our Sonship the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Let us take a close look at ourselves. Moses, you cannot be saved." And How do we react to disagreement among after Paul and Barnabas had no small our communities? Do we seek guidance dissension and debate with them, Paul from our elders? Or are we too stubborn and Barnabas and some of the others to be open to the Will of God? were appointed to go up to Jerusalem Sometimes we have to let-go of our to discuss this question with the aposbeliefs to make way for God’s Will. It tles and the elders. ... is not an easy thing to do because it is Gospel Proclamation not always the bad things that we have "I am the true vine, and my Fa- to let-go. Sometimes it is things that ther is the vinegrower; He removes we believe are right and good. Like in every branch in me that bears no the first reading, “circumcision” is the fruit. Every branch that bears fruit, lawful and right thing to do, but is it the he prunes to make it bear more fruit. Will of God for that time or situation? You have already been cleansed by So unless you are connected to Jesus the word that I have spoken to you. through the Holy Spirit and willing to Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as seek God’s Will, you will not be able to the branch cannot bear fruit by itself grow in the Spirit. It is a part of repentance, letting go of unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the our beliefs and practices, for God to do vine, you are the branches. Those who new things in us, this is what Jesus means abide in me and I in them bear much by pruning, it hurts but it is necessary for fruit, because apart from me you can our growth. do nothing. Prayer Starter Prayerful Awareness Lord help us to be connected to You In the first reading today, we see a and hold on to You when God is pruning disagreement among the faithful, but us and help us to bear the pain so that what is beautiful to notice is the way we may bear more fruit for Your glory…. they handled the conflict. There was a

Acts:15/1-6 Psalm:121/1-5 (122/1-5) John:15/1-8 OR Isaiah:61/9-11 Psalm:44/11-17 (45/11-12,14-17) Luke:11/27-28

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 14th May 2020 Acts:1/15-17,20-26 Psalm:112/1-8 (113/1-8) John:15/9-17

The First Proclamation In those days Peter stood up among the believers ..... and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry..... For it is written in the books of Psalms, "Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and 'Let another take his position of overseer.' ..... The Gospel Proclamation As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so

St. Matthias, Apostle that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. Prayerful Awareness In the preceding paragraph, Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches" (vs. 5). By this sentence Jesus reveals to us the importance of being united to Him. It is by being united to Jesus that we receive the spiritual nourishment which in turn will enable us to bear fruit in our life. Now, how do we do this in real life? We know that Jesus is the Word of God. So, if we get attached to the Word of God, then, we, in effect get attached to Jesus. Then, life will begin to flow into us and our lives will produce fruit. So Jesus says, "If you keep my commandments (Word of God) you will remain in my love just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love." (vs. 10) Hence, we can construe that what Jesus is revealing to us is in fact His own experience as a human being. He has experienced the love of His Father by keeping His Father's commandments (doing His Father's Will) and He passes on this experience of His to us now. Jesus also says that if we live as Jesus has told us, then we will have joy in our lives as a result of having experienced God's love (vs.11). Therefore "joy" is a by-product of having lived according to the Word of God. It cannot be bought by money or riches. Prayer Starter Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land, the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. (Ps.112/1.2)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 15th May 2020 Acts:15/22-31 Psalm:56/8-12 (57/7-11) John:15/12-17

The First Proclamation Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. .... With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul - ... Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. FAREWELL. So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.. Gospel Proclamation

a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. Prayerful Awareness

Jesus called us, His chosen, to be partners with Him in the work of leading the world to God. We didn’t chose Him but He chose us. We are His ambassadors in this world. He has shared His mind with us, and opened His heart to us. Jesus wants us to represent Him in the world. He chose us to go out to bear fruit, and to bear fruit which will stand the test of time. The way to spread Christianity is to be Christian. The way to bring others into the Christian faith is to show them the fruit of the Christian life. Jesus sends us out, not to argue men into Christianity, still less to threaten them into it, but to attract them into it; so to live that its fruits may be so wonderful that others will desire them for themselves. We are the privileged members of the family of God. He chose us so that whatever we ask in His name the Father will give to us. In asking or praying we must pray in faith. Our prayer to God has to be effective. If we don’t believe, nothing will be changed. We must have an invincible belief in the all-sufficient love of God. We must pray for His Will to be done. Real prayer must be, not that God would send us the things we wish, but that He would make us able to accept the things He wills. My command is this: Love each Prayer Starter other as I have loved you. Greater In God, whose word I praise, in the love has no one than this: to lay down Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal no longer call you servants, because do to me? (Ps. 56/10, 11)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 16th May 2020 Acts:16/1-10 Psalm:99/2,3,5 (100/1-3,5) John:15/18-21

The First Proclamation Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily. .... During the night Paul had a vision; there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us". When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. The Gospel Proclamation "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world - therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'Servants are

not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. Gaze at Jesus' Sonship We are given a choice - the Church or the world - Divine Kingdom or the kingdom of this world. Christ alerts us to what the future has in store for us. We must remember that the Church, by that time, was living under constant threat of persecution. "Seven times during the discourse on the world, He used the word "hate" - a solemn witness to its persistence and enmity. The world loves the worldly, but to preserve its codes, practices, and mental fashions, it must hate the unworldly or the divine." (Archbishop F.J.Sheen). If we join, approve or say "yes" to worldly cults or sects we can carry on without any troubles or objections. Because Christ has singled us out of the world, and we follow His commands, we will definitely be hated. At that moment even His disciples could not understand this hate. They were allowed to go back to their former job - nets and boats. The full magnitude of the world's hate - yes, they understood or experienced it after the descent of the Holy Spirit on them. "Our Lord gave no hope of converting everyone in the world; the masses would be won more by the spirit of the world than by Him. To share His life was to share His fate. The world would hate His followers, not because of evil in their lives, but precisely because of the absence of evil or rather their goodness. Goodness does not cause hatred but it gives occasion for hatred to manifest itself.(Archbishop F.J.Sheen). Prayer Starter Help us not to hinder the work of evangelization You carry on through us. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 17th May 2020

Sixth Sunday of Easter

PS Wk II paralyzed or lame were cured. So Acts:8/5-8,14-17 there was great joy in that city. Psalm: 66/1-7,16-20 Now when the apostles at Je1 Peter:3/15-18 rusalem heard that Samaria had John:14/15-21 accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ....Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received Introduction the Holy Spirit. Today we have stepped on to the Prayerful Awareness Sixth Sunday of Easter on our journey Today the first proclamation presof encountering the risen Lord present among us having fully accomplished ents the witnessing of Philip in SaHis mission and overcome death. maria. Certainly, it would have been Today, the Holy Mother the Church his experience too that the love and is inviting us to realize how true faith kindness of Christ shown to the Samakes us mature Christians. We are maritans, degraded and rejected by awakened by the Eucharistic theme of the Jews, resulted in lifting them up. the day that it is the Holy Spirit who Hence in the foot-steps of Christ, Philip courageously entered Samaria and enables us to be mature Christians. While the first proclamation un- performed many wonderful deeds of folds the marvelous deeds performed the Holy Spirit bearing witness to the by the disciples filled with the Holy Lord. He was also able to win many for Spirit, through the Gospel Proclama- him, all of which confirms the request tion our Lord pleads with the Father made by our Lord to God the Father to bestow on us the Holy Spirit. In bearing fruit through the community. the Second Proclamation through the Apart from this, the community of epistle St. Paul reminds to hand over disciples too laid hands on them and the authority of our life to Jesus and they received the Holy Spirit. Gospel Acclamation thus to live in faith as a mature Christian. Let us pray for the power of the Alleluia! Alleluaia! Holy Spirit in accomplishing this task. Jesus said: 'If anyone loves me he The First Proclamation will keep my word, and my Father will Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were

love him, and we shall come to him.' Alleluiah! The Gospel Proclamation

If you love me you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

the world cannot receive because it neither sees nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them. Prayerful Awareness Our Lord, springing from the source of love is love itself. "If you love me you will keep my commandments. Love each other just as I have loved you." Our Lord knew that to love in that manner a higher power is needed and it was His experience that one should be connected to the source of love. Therefore He prays to the Father on our behalf and also implores to bestow on us the Holy Spirit. The Second Proclamation but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made

alive in the spirit. Prayerful Awareness Through the Second Proclamation it is made clear how St. Peter shares his experience with the community and how he invites them to follow him proclaiming him their only Lord and Master. "If it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong." Similarly, we are advised to be respectful in everything we do and not to slander another since as Christians we can never be lukewarm, lethargic and unaware. Also we are encouraged to witness to our son-ship in face of all that crops up in fulfilling the Will of God. Towards us "If you love me you will keep my commandments. â&#x20AC;Ś He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever." We are called to walk in the foot-steps of Christ. His commandment is "Love one another just as I have loved you." What is our response to His invitation? Are we ready to welcome the Advocate who will be with us forever? Let us turn to ourselves and enter into repentance, step on to a life of witnessing like Sts. Philip and Peter. Entrance to Prayer Grant, Almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honour of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do. Through our Lordâ&#x20AC;Ś.(Collect) Throughout the day O Holy Spirit may I surrender myself to You in accomplishing the mission of giving witness.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Acts:16/11-15 Monday 18th May 2020 Psalm:149/1-6, 9 John:15/26-16/4

The First Proclamation Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that district of Macedonia. After a few days in this city we went outside the gates beside a river as it was the Sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting. One of these women was called Lydia, a woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade, and who revered God. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptised she kept urging us, 'If you judge me a true believer in the Lord,' she said, 'come and stay with us.' And she would take no refusal. Fix your gaze on Jesus

St. John I, Pope & Martyr yet a receptive heart will find aspects that vivify life in its diversity and glory. I thrive in being of service to the community at large, earning my keep in the purple-dye trade. I know that my contribution goes some way to make life taste better for my fellow travellers, and the fruit of my labour keeps body and soul together for the duration of this learning expedition. Today we met up with this person in flowing robes with a bushy moustache and flaming red hair at the prayer place. He is called Paul of Tarsus, and he is a very gifted orator. Paul's discourse makes my life appear so much of a gift; that the Creator God deigned to think of me as a person from amongst the uncountable other lives; and that my name is written indelibly up in His palm; would you dream that! That He wanted to come closer to me and therefore became Man, and then gave up His life to the last drop of blood to prove His love for me, to save me from my incompleteness, my feelings of loneliness, unworthiness, misery and sin! That we have been granted a Paraclete, the complete Whole Holy Spirit of God, Who will stay with us constantly being witness to the God and the Son Who resides with us loving us and making us complete, together with All That Is, totally worthy and joyful! Is this not Good News indeed! I want to enter in to this more. I am going to take Paul home; spend more time with him to listen to the Good News! Will not take 'NO' for an answer! I am sure that you would agree with me? Prayer Starter

Thank You Lord for the revelation of Unmerited grace... O Spirit of God, You are truly the Lord's gift to us...... how could we ever be grateful enough? Let's identify ourselves with the Lady from the town of Thyatira called Lydia. Let's go on a virtual journey of discovery. I believe so and therefore search for peace and for solace in prayer and in unity with the other; the others who Thank You Lord for the Good News gather there-for are so diverse and interesting, their experiences valued lessons .... I shall take the time to taste the Good in life for me. Some experiences may News daily, to enter deeper in to the love appear to be dull or atrocious initially, of Abba our Mother ...

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 19th May 2020 Acts:16/22-34 Psalm:137/1-3,7-8 ( 138/1-3,7-8 ) John :16/5-11

The Gospel Proclamation But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going. And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness. But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the world that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God's judgement. They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me; they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me anymore; and they are wrong about judgement, because the ruler of this world has already been judged. Gaze at Jesus When the disciples were called at the beginning, they abandoned their lives attachments, to follow Jesus. In the three years they spent with Jesus, Life turned out to be good. When Jesus started talking about leaving, He felt their disillusionment, mistrust and the sense of abandonment. Yet Jesus continues to teach them about the Holy Spirit who will take complete control over their lives to teach them about judgement of sin and forgiveness which they had already witnessed in Jesus’ public life. They saw Jesus offering forgiveness over sicknesses, death, possessed spirits which were considered God’s curses. He challenged temple traditions that

were against love. The disciples started seeing the world through Him. However, when Jesus talks about leaving, they were disturbed because they did not know that the abandonment was temporary. Our sonship In Romans 8: 14, St Paul writes that those who are led by the Holy Spirit are children of God, which means those who allow the Holy Spirit to take up residence in their lives permanently and allow His governance to take control of them will be called children of God. The promise of Jesus was that the Holy Spirit will live in them and help them to fulfill God’s purposes (John 14: 16-17). If we reflect on a few courage moments in Jesus’ life when He challenges the society about the teachings on sin, we recall the instance of the sinful woman who was brought before Jesus for His judgement. Jesus led by the Holy Spirit tells the teachers of the law to pelt the first stone if they are free of sin. Initially, the disciples who were fearful, when led by the Holy Spirit began to proclaim that Jesus was Lord. Hence, St. Paul’s saying, “those who are led by the Holy Spirit are children of God”. Let us dear brothers and sisters take the assurance of Jesus and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all things, because when we are taught by the Holy Spirit, we will continue to have correct judgment about all matters concerning our life as well as for others who seek our assistance. Prayer Starter Dear Holy Spirit, the beloved of our soul, guide us, counsel to us and teach us the way to everlasting life. During this post Easter period, let us learn more about the Holy Spirit and let us thirst to transform our hearts to be a temple of the Holy Spirit who will come to reside in us.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 20th May 2020 Acts:17/15, 22-18/1 Psalm:148/1-2,11-14 John:16/12-15

The First Proclamation Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him. Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. .... The Gospel Proclamation "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own. But will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Prayerful Awareness The Gospel begins with this sen-

tence: "I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you to bear now." Jesus says two things: the farewell, which characterized the Last Supper and the concern of Jesus, the older brother, for His younger brothers, who within a brief time will be left without His presence. The time left was very short. The work begun was not yet complete. Three years are a very short time to change life and to begin to live and to think in a new image of God. But Jesus had the hope and imagination about the coming of the Holy Spirit. "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you to the complete truth ....." Jesus' assertion shows the experience of the first communities. The descending of the Holy Spirit led a great path to community life. Our sonship Today's Gospel reminds us that it is the Holy Spirit Who will guide us to all truth. When we reject His guidance we abuse our freedom. However, when we allow ourselves to be guided by Him, we are truly free. Just as the Holy Spirit was at work in Paul's ministry and preaching, the Spirit can also work in us and through us. Ultimately this world was created for the glory of God. It is not the result of chaos or just one more world in a never ending series. By allowing the Holy Spirit into our lives, we share in the glory of the Son and of the Father. Encouraged by the Spirit of Jesus we can adore God in any place, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17). Let us ask ourselves whether the guidance from Jesus leads us to let the Holy Spirit to work in us, to strengthen and to devote ourselves to His works.. Prayer Starter Let them praise the Name of the Lord for his Name alone is exalted, His glory is above earth and heaven. (Ps.148/13...)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 21st May 2020 Acts:18/1-8 Psalm: 97/1-4 98/1-4 John:16/16-20

Gospel Proclamation A little while, and you will no longer see me; and again a little while, and you will see me." Then some of the disciples said one to another: What does he mean by saying to us, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me; and again a little while, and you will see me, and 'Because I am going to the Father'? They said "What does he mean by this 'a little while? We do not know what he is talking about." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him; so he said to them: "Are you discussing among yourselves, what I meant when I said: A little while, and you will no longer see me; and again a little while, and you will see me? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. Prayerful Awareness Jesus in His last words to the disciples before He was taken into custody revealed about His death and resurrection. Jesus revealed that He would be taken from them and put to death but would come back after His Resurrection to change their sorrow to joy. Our sorrows of troubles and trials also will turn to joy if we accept Jesus into our lives and live our lives with Him as our Lord and Saviour. To all who accept Him and observe His Commandments, He promised to intercede and send to them the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit to be with them all the time as their Advocate and Friend to help them. When the Holy Spirit comes we will receive Wisdom to know about everything. We can interpret

St.Christopher Magalanes, St.Eugene de Mazenod

the troubles of our lives in the light of the cross. Sorrow is an opportunity to enter into the experience of the cross as the way to eternal life with Christ. St. James the disciple wrote in his letter (section 1: 2-9) to “consider it all joy, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways”. Trust that God loves you more than the entire universe as man (every human being) is the most valued creation of God, and that’s why He sent His only begotten Son to die for us, pay the ransom and save us from eternal death. How great is His LOVE for us, and how foolish some of us could be, to yet hang onto our own selfish desires than to change and enjoy a new life with Lord as our Helper and Redeemer. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, Raise us and Help us to answer Lord’s Call. First Reading refers to St. Paul’s preaching to the Jewish community about Lord Jesus and testifying that Jesus is the Christ. But, they rejected him blaspheming. Departing from there he entered the house of a man named Titus where he preached the Word and baptized many who believed Jesus. Prayer Starter

Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord, intercede for us in the presence of God the Father and send to us the Holy Spirit to Raise us, Enlighten us and Empower us to Spread Your Word every possible way and testify about Your Resurrection and His living with us till the end times. Amen

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 22nd May 2020 St. Rita of Cascia, any other love in the world. She nurActs:18/9-18 tures the child in the womb and brings Psalm:46/2-7 the baby to the world with safety. In Jesus, God gave the world life giving John:16/20-23

love for which He gave up His life on the cross. Can we compare the immensity of God’s love to what exists between The First Proclamation a mother and a child? God’s love is 'One night Paul had a vision in immeasurable and goes beyond any which the Lord said to him, “Do not human limits. Our sonship be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not give up, for I am with you. As said in the first proclamation, No one will be able to harm you, for with many risks, St Paul stayed back many in this city are my people.” So with the believers to give them the Paul stayed there for a year and a word of God. To him, Jesus Christ half, teaching the people the word was the most generous gift of God to of God. When Gallio was made the man. Paul knew that Knowledge about Roman governor of Achaia, Jews the love of God through Jesus was far there got together, seized Paul, and more beneficial to man than any other took him into court. … Paul stayed gift. Therefore, he takes a complete on with the believers in Corinth for turn in his life to dedicate his life for many days, then left them and sailed the Gospel. off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria. The Psalmist (47: 2-7) sings: Before sailing from Cenchreae he had his head shaved because of a vow he The Lord, the Most High, is to be had taken. ' feared; he is a great king, ruling over The Gospel Proclamation all the world. He gave us victory over the peoples; I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be he made us rule over the nations. glad; you will be sad, but your sadHe chose for us the land where we ness will turn into gladness. When a live, the proud possession of his people, woman is about to give birth, she is whom he loves. sad because her hour of suffering has God goes up to his throne. There are come; but when the baby is born, she shouts of joy and the blast of trumpets, forgets her suffering, because she is as the Lord goes up. happy that a baby has been born into Sing praise to God; sing praise to the world. That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you our king! God is king over all the world; again, and your hearts will be filled praise him with songs! Prayer starter with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you. Dear Lord, let the same song be our “When that day comes, you will not praise to You, because You removed the ask me for anything. I am telling you the truth: The Father will give you bondages that made us slave to sin and whatever you ask him for in my name. You have given us complete victory. Give us the courage to continually be in Gaze on Jesus Your presence and undertake the work Mothers' love is incomparable to of Your Kingdom.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 23rd May 2020 Acts:18/23-28 Psalm:46/2-3,8-10 (47/1-3,8-9) John:16/23-28

The First Proclamation After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Prygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.

The Gospel Proclamation

On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so

that your joy may be complete. "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father. Gaze at Jesus' Sonship In the new relationship with God, made possible through His one and only Son Jesus Christ, we have free access to really know God. Not only can we go to Him but also ask Him for anything. God delights in seeing and talking to us. At the base of this new relationship there is Jesus. The relationship exists in His Name. Our joy is made perfect because of Him. This new way to the Father's heart is open to all of us. It is in Jesus' Name we ask and receive. Even more, what the Father gives us when our prayer is united with that of Jesus is "another Counsellor, to be with you for ever, the Spirit of Truth" The new dimension of prayer and of its circumstances is displayed throughout the farewell discourse. In the Holy Spirit, Christian prayer is a communion of love with the Father, not only through Christ but also in Him: "Hitherto you have asked nothing in my Name, ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (C.C.C. 2615) Prayer Starter Thank You Jesus for revealing the true nature of the Father and His love. Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 24th May 2020

The Ascension of the Lord

Acts:1/1-11 Psalm:46/2,3,6-9 (47/1-2,5-8) Ephesians:1/17-23 Mathew:28/16-20

Introduction The Vigil service of the Solemnity of Pentecost was celebrated with great pomp at Sri Prasansaramaya sacred grounds from last evening till the dawn of today with the participation of the members of the Renewal come from different parts of the country. As parish communities we would be celebrating the same next Sunday. Today we are in an amazing era of Pubudu life since it is on the day of Pentecost 2020 that we hope to declare 2021 as the Jubilee Year of the Renewal Movement of completing fifty years of its existence. Along with this the Theme of the Year 2020 being revealed as "Mary, the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35) has added more significance to the present era. Throughout forty days since the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord (the paschal mystery) He manifested Himself with clear proof encouraging the disciples by appearing to them, exhorting them to preach and give witness to the Kingdom of God. Then in a few days He ascended into heaven promising the disciples to bestow on them the Holy Spirit, the first fruit of the paschal mystery. The fundamental revelation of the Ascension is the fact that, through redemption won by Christ, not only the soul but man's

PS Wk II

whole self being destined to be raised to glory. Let us enter into the journey of prayer praising God on this account. The First Proclamation â&#x20AC;ŚAfter his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God. While staying with them he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. This he said "is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel? " He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. â&#x20AC;Ś. Prayerful Awareness 'The Acts of the Apostles written by St. Luke is considered the second part of his gospel. Since it gives and account of the marvelous work of the birth of the first Christian community with the descent of the Holy Spirit, how the disciples accomplished the mission entrusted to them and the manifestation of gradual building up of the Church proclaiming the power of the Spirit, it is also called "The Acts of

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

the Holy Spirit." Obviously, the main objective of this book is to present the manner in which the Christ disciples empowered by the gift of the Spirit engage themselves in the mission of carrying the good news all over the world. Moreover it amply illustrates the victorious and powerful lives of the faithful rejoicing and glorying at the gift of the Holy Spirit so that the entire book itself would bear witness to the whole world. The Gospel Proclamation

The Second Proclamation I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Prayerful Awareness

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." While St. Paul is praying for the Prayerful Awareness Ephesian community he also gives According to the command of Jesus thanks to God for them (Eph. 1:15, the disciples went to the mountain of 16). Further he says that it is his wish Galilee. The risen Christ manifest- that they come to a deeper knowledge ing Himself in their midst dispel the in Christian faith. Meanwhile he aptly doubt that plagued some of them and proclaims the revelation of the authorencouraged them with the words, "All ity, power and dominion of Christ. authority in heaven and on earth While He is the sovereign leader of the has been given to me. Go and make Church, the community or the church is disciples of all nations and I am with his body and when the body is joined you always, to the close of the age." with Christ it receives the fullness of Thus it is no secret that the promise him who fills all in all is what St. Paul of the bestowal of the Holy Spirit and affirms through which is revealed the the promise to be with them forever magnificent nature of the Church. Throughout the following year let generated much joy in them. Similarly, at this precise moment they would have us make our own the precious expebeen reminded of everything that the rience, "Mary, the power of the Most Lord told them at the last supper (John High will overshadow you." Chapters 13-17).

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Monday 25th May 2020 St.Bede the Venerable, Priest & Doctor St.Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Virgin mation, upon finding that the community Acts:19/1-8 of Ephesus was unaware of the Holy Spirit, Psalm:67/2-7 prays over them. Till then, the community of Ephesus had only known the baptism of (68/1-6) John. But even John the Baptist testified: John:16/29-33 The First Proclamation … Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples… “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No…” He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying… The Gospel Proclamation His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered… and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Gaze on Jesus Jesus’ life embodied a oneness with God the Father and set an example of the spiritual wholeness and sonship to which we are called. It is the transformative power of the Holy Spirit that helps us in this journey. There is no journey without the Spirit. As we see St. Paul in the first procla-

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming…will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt 3:11). As Paul prayerfully leads the community into the baptism of Jesus, they experience a renewal and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the gifts of tongues and prophesying. St. Paul stays with the community for a time, taking responsibility for and nurturing their growth in the Spirit. The Gospel proclamation, too, depicts a lack of attunement to the Spirit amongst the disciples. We meet them today in the period leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. They have not yet experienced the Pentecostal renewal but they feel they are finally enlightened enough to understand Jesus. Jesus, filled with the Spirit, sees where the disciples are now - still spiritually fragile, and where they will be - future shepherds of God’s flock. He replies: “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered…and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. ” Perhaps Jesus chooses to acknowledge their betrayal so that when the disciples later face their own cowardice, they will be able to cling to His words - the peace that He promised with so much love. Jesus then leaves them with one of the most emboldening statements in the Bible: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” For Meditation How has the Spirit manifested in your life? What are the areas in your life that you want to bring under the power of the Holy Spirit, starting today? Let us pray.

Prayer Starter

Holy Spirit, persevere in me, as You did for the disciples. With You, I shall overcome. Fulfill God’s plan in me.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Tuesday 26th May 2020 Acts:20/17-27 Psalm:67/10-11,20-21 (68/9-10,19-20) John:171-11 John:20/1-8 The First Proclamation Please read Acts 20/17-27 prayerfully. Prayerful Awareness Paul goes back to Palestine. He already senses or knows through a revelation from the Holy Spirit that a new part of his life will soon begin: years of imprisonment and trials. So, in saying good-bye, he wants to give some last advice to the leaders of all the communities he had established in Asia. In his discourse to the elders he wants them to have a personal concern for the people under their care; an invitation to follow his example; to be ever watchful because it would be too late to worry about the community once errors have appeared and a call to self sacrifice for those who serve Christ. The Gospel Proclamation Please read John 17/1-11 meditatively. Gaze on Jesus This prayer is positioned between the Last Supper narrative and the scene in the garden. There is a strong hint of Jesus' struggle to accept the Father's Will (John 12:27). "Now my soul is in distress." This prayer revolves around the three great themes, which in the mind of the evangelist, were the three principal concerns of Jesus on the eve of His Passion - the fulfilment of His own mission (vs. 1-5), the preservation of His disciples as a community of faith and love (vs.6-16) and the unity of

faith of future believers (vs.17-26). It is one of the holiest passages of the New Testament and should be read with the concentrated powers of heart and spirit. The payer opens with the expression of Jesus' knowledge that "the hoour has come" and with the wish that He be glorified with the glory that was His before the world was born. Yet it is the hour of Jesus' death; then His glory must lie in His dying. The glory of God transcends form and measure. IT is not only joyful, but terrible as well. 'That Jesus goes to His death in the purity of His oneness with the Father's Will - that is glory. That afterwards He rises from death in the radiance of resurrection - that is the same glory and identical with the glory that precedes creation and that will succeed it. Obedient to the paternal Will, the Son 'came unto His own" but they refused to accept Him (John 1/10-11). He spoke the Word through sermon and deed but His message found deaf ears and had to remain in the air. He summoned mankind to share in divine life, in the unspeakable "we" of His Sacerdotal Prayer, but mankind declined and the Messenger of love was left standing in immeasurable isolation. Even the few He calls His own desert Him, others co-operate in a satanic reversal of love's unity to destroy Him. Jesus departs from the world at His Father's command. Now in the final hour, the Son tells His Father that He has accomplished the paternal Will and glorified Him on earth by His obedience. That Jesus delivered His message is what counts - not the world's reaction and once proclaimed, that message can never be silenced, but knock in men's hearts to the last day. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, we thank You for the invaluable gift of faith bestowed on us. Enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to live the values of the Kingdom in all their fullness.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Wednesday 27th May 2020

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

Acts:20/28-38 Psalm:67/29-30,33-36 (68/28-29,33-36) John:17/11-19 The Gospel Proclamation And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you, Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. .... I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. ..... Prayerful Awareness Today's Gospel proclamation is a part of Our Lord's prayer to the Father on behalf of His disciples, both then and now. Let us reflect on the awesome reality of verse 11 - "And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." What is the name of Jesus before He emptied Himself of His GLORY and came in to be EMMANUEL, that is GOD IS WITH US? The closest answer is given by the beloved disciple as he writes the book of Revelation in his old age. "His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed which no one knows but himself. He is clad in a robe

dipped in blood and the name by which he is called is 'The Word of God." (Revelation 19/12-13). The Word of God means the complete expression of God. The awesome glory of the Word of God is further revealed in Revelation 19/14-16. "And the armies of heaven wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses .... On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords." To think that our Lord emptied Himself of all this glory to die on a cross is beyond human comprehension. But those who have been given the gift of Faith believe. The great prophet Elijah who came as John the Baptist had also an idea of the glory enjoyed by Our Lord. Thus he said, :"I am not worthy to untie his sandals" referring to Our Lord. Let us look at the second part of verse 11, whâ&#x20AC;&#x160;ich was explained by the Holy Spirit through another great Apostle Paul, i.e. How the prayer of Our Lord is becoming a reality. "So we, who are many are one body in Christ and individually we are members one of another." (Romans 12/5). Again in Galatians 3/28 Paul writes, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Gaze at my sonship Have I entered deep into the prayer of Jesus or am I still compromising with the world? Or do I simply want to exit the world because the trials are too much to bear? Let me also read John 17/15: "I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one." Prayer Starter Lord, give me Your Holy Spirit that I may live in this world, but obey Thy commandments.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Thursday 28th May 2020 Acts:22/30; 23/6-11 Psalm:15/1-2,5,7-11 (16/1-2,5,7-11 ) John:17/20-26

The First Proclamation .... When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided..... "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him? .... That night the Lord stood near him and said, "Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness as in Rome." Prayerful Awareness Paul is released from prison and is brought before the Sanhedrin, for his trial. Paul is shrewd and says that he is a Pharisee and that he stands before them because he believes in the Resurrection. A riot breaks out and he is rescued by the troops and is taken back to headquarters. The Lord appears in the night and he is told to have courage. He has testified to Jesus in Jerusalem. Now he will testify to the Risen Lord in Rome. The Gospel Proclamation I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they

also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world..... Prayerful Awareness While I was meditating today's Gospel reading, I was reminded of the Trinitarian love which binds the three Persons, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. They are in perfect unity and in harmony that cannot be comprehended by te human mind. "You are in me and I am in you" says Jesus in today's Gospel, showing the intimate union between Him and the Father. Jesus' desire is to be the same with all His followers. So His beautiful and gracious prayer to Father God is that all of us as Christians might be one body, beneath one head, animated by one soul, in union with Christ and the Father through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. How thrilled the followers would have been as He told His Father everything about Himself that He had taught them. He would keep them. He would make them one and finally He would let His followers share in His glory, some day. Prayer Starter Dear Father God, help us to examine and discover ourselves, to see whether love and unity abide among ourselves. We implore the grace and power to be united and work for the Kingdom in order to make You known to all the people and also to make Jesus' dream come true.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Friday 29th May 2020 Acts:25/13-21 Psalm:102/1-2,11-12, 19-20 (103/1-2,11-12,1920) John:21/15-19

Gospel Proclamation After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ...” ... And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” Prayerful Awareness Jesus knew that Simon Peter was the chosen one to lead His people and take His Teaching to the entire world, but Simon has denied knowing Him three times, due to fear of death and imprisonment, although he has said earlier in his own weak human capacity, that he will give his life to save Jesus. This proved how week we humans are when we have to face trials, without divine help. This should be the reason why Jesus asked Simon Peter three times, allowing correcting himself three times for denying knowing Lord he loved, for which he has

St. Paul VI, Pope already repented. After Simon confirmed that He loves Jesus three times, Jesus said to him that He will be called to testify for Jesus and follow the same path to glorify God and that someone else will lead him to places he does not want to go. If we love Jesus and accept Him as our Lord, we too are called to “Follow Lord”, to testify for Him and will be led by the Spirit of God to places we do not want to go. Do you Love Jesus and keep all His Commandments?, then Lord ask from Father and send the Spirit of Truth, another Advocate to be with you always and guide you (Jn. 14: 15-18). Ask and Receive this Divine Help to guide you in all what you speak, all your thoughts and in all what you do, all your behavior to be full of LOVE to glorify God who created us (Is. 43:7). First Reading is on Chief priests and elders in Jerusalem having brought charges against Paul on some issues about Jewish Religion and about Jesus whom they put to death, whom Paul claimed as alive after Resurrection, which made them demand Paul’s condemnation. It was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself. As Paul was born a Roman citizen He appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision and was transferred to Rome to stand a trial, preventing him being put to a cruel death in Jerusalem. Paul was held a prisoner until he could be sent to Caesar allowing him more time to spread Lord’s Word. Prayer Starter God our Loving Father, we thank You for Jesus, Your Son who came down from heaven, to give Life to mankind. Grant us Wisdom and grant us Your Spirit of Truth to know more about You and Your great LOVE and to know Your Will to bring You glory in everything we do, in the Name of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Saturday 30th May 2020 Acts:28/16-20,30-31 Psalm:10/4,5,7 (11/4-7) John:21/20-25 For the Vigil: 4.Joel:3/1-5 1.Genesis:11/1-9 Ps.103/1-2, Psalm:32/10-15 24,27-30, 2.Exodus:19/3-8, Rom.:8/2216-20 27 Ps.Dan.3/52-56 OR Ps.18/8-11 3.Ezekiel: 37/114

The First Proclamation .... Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. ..., "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor - ....

The Gospel Proclamation

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain

until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Gaze at Jesus' Sonship

It is clear that John must have lived to a very old age. In the end, the final verses of the Gospel of John, we see the great figures of the Church, Peter and John. Our Lord had given to each his function. Peter was expected to shepherd the flock - the sheep of Christ and die for Him. John was expected to witness to the episode of Christ. So we see that they were not rivals in honour and prestige. Both were servants of Christ. Neither was less or greater than the other. God has placed us here not to be successful, but to be faithful." (Mother Theresa). Let us take a lesson from her too, that is, to bear fruit where He has placed us. Never mind the task given to someone else, our task is to follow Him. Having known in faith who Jesus is, they could see and make others see the traces of His mystery in all His earthly life. From the swaddling clothes of His birth to the vinegar of His passion and the shroud of His Resurrection, everything in Jesus' life was a sign of His mystery. His deeds, miracles and words all revealed that "In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily". His humanity appeared as "sacrament", that is, the sign and instrument of His divinity and of the salvation He brings; what was visible in His earthly life leads to the invisible mystery of His divine Sonship and redemptive mission."

Prayer Starter

Guide us in the way You want us to serve You Amen.

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Sunday 31st May 2020 Acts:2/1-11 Psalm:104/1,24,29, 31, 34 1 Corinthians:12/3-7, 12-13 John:20/19-23

Introduction Since fifty days after the resurrection of Christ the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. From then onwards they who had been fearful were transformed into powerful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Just as man received life with the breath of God on him who was dust, in the upper room with the breath of the Holy Spirit on the apostles the Holy Mother the Church was born through which was granted the power and gift of the Holy Spirit to make holy the faithful. Therefore, just as the apostles were filled with joy based on the very first gift, the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, let us rejoice and exult in joy. The First Proclamation When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered,

Pentecost Sunday because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? .... Prayerful Awareness After the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles in the upper room on the day of Pentecost they were endowed with a power from above through which was fulfilled the promise given to them by Christ after His Resurrection. "John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5). The wind, the fire, speaking in tongues and giving praise to God mentioned in the first proclamation are signs of receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Just as in the creation mentioned in Genesis the Spirit moved over the dark waters and brought forth light bringing about clarity and order out of chaos, the life of the apostles were enlightened. Fire signifies the holiness of the plan of God and the gift of speaking in tongues can be interpreted as a sign of receiving the gift of prophecy. What was the fundamental experience of the apostles? – A life renewal, receiving new life and at the same time giving witness to good news, the Resurrection of Christ. Thereon they spoke boldly and with courage and performed miracles. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in ……and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8) The Second Proclamation Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts,

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.. â&#x20AC;Ś For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Prayerful Awareness Through the Second Proclamation St. Paul speaks of the gifts of the Spirit or divine powers which means the divine gifts bestowed on us with the descent of the Holy Spirit are not for self glory and not for personal satisfaction. Those who believe in Christ and are baptized in His Name receive gifts of variety to be used for mutual benefit and in order to build up Christian communities and for the sake of the Kingdom of the Almighty God. Every gift is to spend for the service in the vineyard of the Lord. Hence St. Paul affirms that we should be mindful of our vocation in engaging in the mission allotted to us. He also reminds us of the need of being conscious that there are a variety of members and a variety of missions within the Church, the one body of Christ and not only myself, but others too who have been called for the reason that, when and if the particular gift of the Holy Spirit, the task or the objective is not properly understood or misunderstood, there could crop up unnecessary problems and division. The Gospel Proclamation When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said

this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Prayerful Awareness Why had the apostles been hiding behind closed doors in fear? They had seen the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and also His suffering and death on the cross which made them fear that they should be subjected to the same. May be they never thought that Jesus would come to them in this manner. Before the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the risen Lord secretly bestowed on them the Spirit. Jesus addressed them with the traditional "Shalom" or Peace be with you that denotes health, prosperity and fulfillment which is not simply a wish but something realized instantaneously. Just as their sorrow turned to joy by seeing Christ, their fear turned to courage. Uncertainty in them vanished and their mental condition immediately turned steady and powerful Our sonship Witnessing is the vocation we have received through the Holy Spirit. On this day of Pentecost let us pray for the power and plead for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit which would enable us to acknowledge and proclaim Jesus as our Only Lord and Master. Prayer Starter Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (Ps.104/1,24...)

"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"

Walk in the Spirit Application for obtaining the publication by post. Name: ..................................................................................................... To be sent to (Address) .......................................................................... ...................................................................................... For six/twelve months from ................. 20 till .............20 Money Order/Cheque for Rs. ............. is sent herewith. Date: ............... .................................. Signature

“Walk in the Spirit” Publication

Including postage - For six months Rs. 255/= For 12 months Rs. 510/= Money Orders/Cheques to be drawn only in favour of “Kithudana Pubuduwa” payable at (Post Office) Walpola (W.P.) Pubudu Headquarters - Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Tel. No. 011-2230300, 011-5764123 Fax No. 011-2231490 E-Mail: office@pubuduwa.org Web: www.pubuduwa.org Press: Pubudu Press, 452, National Basilica Avenue, Ragama Tel: 011-5288343/344 Fax :011-2958439 E-Mail: press@pubuduwa.org Distribution: Pubudu Publication & Distribution Service Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama. Tel: 011-2230300, 011-2231490, 011-5764123 Places from which the Walk in the Spirit publication can be obtained: Sri Ramyaramaya, Palakudawa, Talawila Church 032-3325688 / 032-5678645 Sri Christudharmaramaya, Deduru Oya, Manuwangama, Chilaw 032-2221979 / 032-5675585 Pubudu Nivasa, Dankotuwa 031-3617917 Pubudu Nivasa, Negombo 031-2222256 / 031-5675763 Christu Centre, Ja-Ela 011-2243301 / 011-5736834 Cost: Rs. 20/=