Walk in the Spirit July 2020

WALK IN THE SPIRIT July 2020 Issue 341 Commencement March 1992

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER July 2020 The Holy Spirit leads man to encounter the Non-Visible through the visible. Every object of the mind becomes, under the power of the Spirit, a Sacrament of union with God. Every action or movement of man becomes a walk, a journey towards the ultimate: - Food - A sacrament of companionship and joy in God - Clothing - A sacrament of God’s protection - Rest - A sacrament of peace – the peace of God - Silence - A sacrament of fullness I need to be surrendered to the movement of the Spirit in every area of my life. So help me Father.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

4

Wednesday 1st July 2020 Amos:5/14-15,21-24 Psalm:49/7-13, 16-17 (50/7-13,16-17) Mathew:8/28-34

The First Proclamation Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph…. I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Fix your gaze on Jesus

placed in this domain so that we could use our gift of choice to opt for (eternal) Life or Death! Our consciousness is been trained in this passing phase for what would be the timeless (eternal) phase. This is a game of tug-of-war waged between Light and Darkness, with you and me as the price! The contest between Light and Darkness is to win us over; a war to be waged to secure our souls. For this, the Prince of Light offers us Truth and Life, and the prince of darkness lies and deceit to entrap us towards Death. But, there are limitations placed on the prince of darkness that we should be aware of! Looking at the Gospel today, we identify some of them. They are fearful of the Prince of Light, crying out, ‘What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?’, acknowledging that there is a limit placed in respect of this domain’s duration. Further, it would appear that their role-play is limited to beguiling higher sentient beings! They needed permission even to possess the swine herd afar, ‘so the devils besought him, saying “If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine”’.

Even as the Almighty could easily turn affliction and sorrow into prosperity and joy for repenting sinners, S/He could as easily turn the prosperity of daring sinners into utter darkness. The Lord is ever ready to be gracious to the souls that seek him; and then piety and every duty will be attended to gladly and conscientiously; we will experience heaven all the way to heaven! It behoves us to plead God’s spiritual promises, to beseech him to create in us a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within us.

Prayer Starter

You Lord, are awesome! Having gifted self-awareness to inanimate material, these sentient beings are called upon to evolve in to yet higher levels of consciousness, towards divinity itself; for what is Righteousness but an attribute of God, and Judgement, which requires perfect awareness of all factors relating to a given situation; yet another divine aspect!

At present there is power given the prince of darkness to rule; we, the gift Lord, we understand. We want to of consciousness residing in a miracu- believe; help our unbelief.... lously animated material housing, are

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

5

Thursday 2nd July 2020 Amos:7/10-17 Psalm: 18/8-11 (19/7-10) Mathew:9/1-8

The First Proclamation Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you, in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, 'Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.'

And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary and it is a temple of the kingdom."

Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' ....

The Gospel Proclamation And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.

And just then some people wee carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts. For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But

so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic, "Stand up, take your bed and go to your home." When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

Gaze on Jesus Jesus in saying, "Your sins are forgiven" wishes to convey to s the fact 'the evil that men do lives after them.'

But if only man accepts his faults and repents then he could be happy. This is why He said "Your sins are forgiven" but the scribes who were out to find fault thought to themselves "who is he to forgive sins?" Jesus reading their evil thoughts emphatically said to them that "the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins." It was only after that Jesus said "Rise and walk". The crowds present there were filled with awe and they glorified God. Prayerful Awareness As stated in the First Proclamation of God's Love, Amos says "I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees. The Lord took me and commanded me to prophesy against Israel." Similarly Abba Father has given all authority to Jesus, the Son of Man to forgive sins and serve His people. The faith of the people present with Him was such that Jesus taking pity on the paralytic said first, "Your sins are forgiven" and then said "Rise and walk". Let us too inculcate in us a deep sense of faith in the Risen Lord who is with us. Let us Be with Him, move with Him and Live with Him. For He is the answer to all our prayers.

Prayer Starter Hear me O Lord, attend to my cry.

Give ear to my prayers. My steps have held fast to Thy paths. my feet have not slipped for Thou will answer my prayers.

Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

6

Friday 3rd July 2020

St. Thomas, Apostle

The First Proclamation

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!" Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"

Prayerful Awareness

So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now citizens together with God's people and members of the family of God. You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself.

He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit.

The Gospel Proclamation

Thomas who walked and talked and closely associated with Jesus, refused to believe his fellow apostles about Jesus coming to them. He wanted proof. He was skeptical. But we who belong to him, haven’t seen him, but yet believe. We haven’t seen him, but we have experienced his presence in our lives. He leads and guides us to righteousness, he is our protector and provider and we know that nothing can separate us from his love. How blessed we are. Jesus himself says “How happy are those who believe without seeing me!" Praise the Lord!

Prayer Starter

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

Heavenly Father, we could never have had this privilege to know Your Son, and accept His sacrifice on the cross on our behalf and His resurrection from death, if not for the grace You have granted us to have faith in Him and to believe without seeing. Increase our faith in Him. We thank you Father. Please grant this grace to our loved ones who still refuse to believe in Your beloved Son and rejects what He offers. Please help them to believe without seeing! Amen.

Ephesians:2/19-22 Psalm: 116/1,2 (117/1, 2 ) John:20/24-29

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

7

Saturday 4th July 2020

Amos:9/11-15 Psalm:84/9,11-14 (85/8, 10-13) Mathew:9/14-17

Psalm 85: 9-14 'Surely, he is ready to save those who honour him, and his saving presence will remain in our land. Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace. Human loyalty will reach up from the earth, and God's righteousness will look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosperous, and our land will produce rich harvests.

Righteousness will go before the Lord and prepare the path for him.'

Gospel Proclamation

St. Elizabeth of Portugal alty. These are the attributes of God’s Kingdom fulfilled on earth and are true when we say that Jesus came down to earth to fulfill God’s promise of love and accomplish His desire to save man to eternity. Finally, the words of the Psalmist were fulfilled in Jesus and the world was beginning to experience God’s faithfulness and His saving presence through Jesus. Therefore, the old was gone, paving the way for a new way of life.

Our sonship

Jesus compares His presence on earth to a beginning of a new era. In the same way, when we experience failures in our life, it signifies that Lord is tearing down the walls of sin to rebuild the Kingdom of God in us. When Lord does this, we might experience anxiety due to loss of wealth, failure, lack of comfort because the power structures we may have been enjoying are no more. Yet 'Then the followers of John the God invites us to turn to His Son Jesus, Baptist came to Jesus, asking, “Why because in Jesus is love, security, faithis it that we and the Pharisees fast fulness and righteousness and we are often, but your disciples don't fast at called to accept Jesus through our own all?” Jesus answered, “Do you expect tears and sorrow. He will restore in us the guests at a wedding party to be God’s peace and security. sad as long as the bridegroom is with Sinful as we are, if we can trust in them? Of course not! But the day the Lord and in His faithfulness, we will will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then be victorious. We are called to marvel they will fast. “No one patches up an at His saving presence and experience old coat with a piece of new cloth, for His love. the new patch will shrink and make Prayer Starter an even bigger hole in the coat. Nor O Lord Holy Spirit! Come, overdoes anyone pour new wine into used shadow me, and create in me a yearning wineskins, for the skins will burst, the wine will pour out, and the skins will heart to experience You each and every be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured moment of my life. Let me experience into fresh wineskins, and both will Thee as the One who laughs with me in my joy, weeps with me in my sorrow, keep in good condition.” ' uplifts me when I am depressed, comGaze at Jesus forts me in my loneliness, encourages The words that we can derive from me when I falter and never deserts me the Psalm today to describe Jesus are, come what may. Transform me to be a Love, faithfulness, righteousness, loy- true witness to Your unending love.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

8

Sunday 5th July 2020

Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time PS Wk II tle bow shall be cut off, and he shall Zechariah:9/9-10 command peace to the nations; his Psalm:144/1-2,8-11, dominion shall be from sea to sea, and 13-14 from the River to the ends of the earth.

(145/1-2,8-11,13-14) Prayerful Awareness Romans:8/9,11-13 This word written several centuries Mathew:11/25-30 before the coming of Christ is a universal teaching. The expected righteousness of the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem is the hope of all the inhabitants of the earth which means a life of prosperity will dawn on all those who acknowledge Introduction God as their King.

On this Fourteenth Sunday of OrWhile His advent is the fulfilment dinary Time we have an invitation to of the Will of God, it will also be a time spend ourselves in humility to build up the kingdom of God. Man who labours of justice, triumph and victory which is to build a human kingdom engages him- not in consequence of any human power self in it using power, possessions and or activity but as a result of the action prestige. Yet Jesus Christ, the King of of God. Accordingly we could see how Kings, denied all of the above at the very the messianic hope in the Israelites has beginning of His mission of building up been fulfilled with the coming of Jesus.

The Gospel Proclamation the Kingdom of God. Taking hold of the power of God's love He became for At that time Jesus said, "I thank us the supreme role model of humility you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, which is made obvious through the because you have hidden these things First Proclamation of the day. That is, from the wise and the intelligent and by humbly riding on a colt, the foal of have revealed them to infants; yes, an ass, without any armour and ammu- Father, for such was your gracious nition and thus providing us with the will. All things have been handed over example of humility. Accordingly He to me by my Father and no one knows also invites us to witness to the qualities the Son except the Father, and no one of love and humility in proclaiming the knows the Father except the Son and Kingdom of God making them our life anyone to whom the Son chooses to principles. Let us get on to reflect on the reveal him Word of God asking the Lord to equip "Come to me all you that are weaus with the power to do so. ry and are carrying heavy burdens, The First Proclamation and I will give you rest. Take my yoke Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! upon you, and learn from me; for I am Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! gentle and humble in heart, and you Lo, your king comes to you; trium- will find rest for your souls. For my phant and victorious is he, humble yoke is easy, and my burden is light. and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the Gaze at Jesus foal of a donkey. He will cut off the What we hear in the Gospel proclachariot from Ephraim and the war mation of the day is the great prayer of horse from Jerusalem; and the bat-

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

9

praise of the Lord Jesus in the presence of the Lord Himself having experienced how the hope of the Israelites have been fulfilled. This shows forth the deepest relationship between the Father and the Son. "All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except through the Father." He reveals the nature of the people experiencing the divine Son-ship revealed through the Father – Son relationship that brought forth the fulfillment of a new hope to the entire cosmos which means, only the person chosen by the Son would inherit this participation. Therefore, He invites everybody to experience the rest He offers.

When we gaze into the inner experience of the Lord Jesus extending this invitation, we see the deepest freedom that was His, precisely as a result of His relationship with the Father. That is, when we concentrate on His public life, we become convinced of the love He experienced from God who is love which brought about a deep freedom to the people who were weary.

The Second Proclamation But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ...

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh - for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Prayerful Awareness

We could see how the influence

of the understanding of St. Paul of the Holy Spirit is contained in the impact received through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Old Testament which means that God's action necessarily takes place with regard to creation and the redemption of man.

Holy Spirit is the heavenly power that is active in Jesus Christ as well as in the Church, after His Resurrection. Accordingly, it spells out how the presence of the Holy Spirit, both in the Church and in the faithful, enables us to avoid living according to the flesh and thus overcome the deeds of the body.

Therefore, making access to the Holy Spirit present in us, we too would experience the power to overcome the desires of the flesh born out of slavery to our body. And thus we could inherit life by overcoming death.

Towards us As invited through the word of God today, to the extent we allow the Holy Spirit to act in our lives, we are able to experience relief and liberation bestowed on us by the Lord Jesus.

Similarly He calls us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. In the past fulfilling the law was a heavy burden for the Jews. Accordingly, even today He is inviting us to follow Him. And it falls on us to become authentic Christians following Christ without simply keeping to tradition and external rituals thus straying away from the original Gospel.

When we take His yoke upon us and follow Him we will surely experience relief, comfort and salvation.

Throughout the week: Let us be Christians who follow Christ.

Prayer Starter Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle, my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues the peoples under me. (Ps. 144/1,2)

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

10

Monday 6th July 2020

St. Maria Goretti, Virgin & Martyr

permitted to enter the temple for Jewish religious ceremonies, and according to the Law, anything or anyone she touched became unclean. After twelve years of suffering, she was obviously desperate for a miracle. “She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well” (Mk 5:27–28). As Gospel Proclamation soon as the woman touches Jesus, her bleeding stops and she knew she’s been While Jesus was speaking, an offi- healed. Jesus immediately responds to cial came forward, knelt down before the woman who touched His clothing him, and said, “My daughter has just and was healed. People were pushing died. But come, lay your hand on her, and pressing into Him from all over, and she will live.” Jesus rose and fol- yet He stops, turns, and asks, “Who lowed him, and so did his disciples. A touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30). The woman suffering from hemorrhages disciples were incredulous, but Jesus for twelve years came up behind him knew that healing power had gone out and touched the tassel on his cloak. of Him. We can’t “steal” a miracle from She said to herself, “If only I can God. After the woman comes forward touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” and explains herself, Jesus clears up any Jesus turned around and saw her, and misconceptions about her healing, saysaid, “Courage, daughter! Your faith ing, “Daughter, your faith has saved has saved you.” And from that hour you. Go in peace and be cured of your the woman was cured. When Jesus affliction” (Mark 5:34). God is moved arrived at the official’s house and to action by our faith. This was proved saw the flute players and the crowd by Jesus in raising the dead daughter of who were making a commotion, he the official. Where is our Faith? Do we said, “Go away! The girl is not dead believe that God, due to His Great Love but sleeping.” And they ridiculed for us created us to His own image, to him. When the crowd was put out, he be His own and bring Him Glory (Is. came and took her by the hand, and 43:7) as His children through Jesus, and the little girl arose. And news of this therefore He cares for us? spread throughout all that land The first reading speaks of Israelites’ Prayerful Awareness journey in the desert and their fidelity The woman referred to above had before it was corrupted. Turn to Lord a bleeding condition, that had con- as women to their husbands. tinued for twelve years. She spent all Prayer Starter her money on treatments from many God our ever Loving Father, we doctors, and nothing had helped and thank You for Your great Love for all of the blood issue had only grown worse us, Your Mercy, Care and Kindness that (Mk 5:25–26). Jewish Law declared strengthen our faith and give us hope to her to be ceremonially unclean due to depend on You for everything and get her bleeding issue (Leviticus 15:25-27). more closer to You. Help us and guide This meant that she would not have been us through Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hosea:2/16-18,21-22 Psalm:144/2-9 (145/2-9) Mathew: 9/18-26

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

11

Tuesday 7th July 2020 Hosea:8/4-7,11-13 Psalm:113/3-10 (115/3-10) Mathew: 9/32-38 Introduction Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, where the central theme is the contrast between the protection received by those who place their faith in the one true God, and the destruction brought on themselves by those who put their trust in idols and human vanity.

Prayerful Awareness In today’s First Proclamation the Prophet Hosea laments the conduct of the people and the Kings in the Northern Kingdom of Samaria, and what would soon become of them as a result. God says man will sow wind (disobedience) and reap a whirlwind (utter destruction)!

The Kingdom of Israel comprising the twelve tribes from the descendants of the twelve sons of the Patriarch Jacob (grandson of Abraham, the Father of Faith) thereafter split into two as consequence/s of the latter day sin/s of King Solomon, son of the great King David of Israel. King David was of the tribe of Judah, as was also Jesus, through Mother Mary.

King Solomon allowed himself to be corrupted by the beliefs and practices of his many queens in his harem, who were from adjoining lands. After the split (subsequent to king Solomon’s demise), the Southern Kingdom consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (along with elements from other tribes, including many from the priestly tribe of Levi) whilst the Northern Kingdom comprised the balance ten tribes. The City of Jerusalem and the Lord’s Temple was in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and the Kings of the Northern Kingdom resorted to setting up idols as their gods

to negate the necessity for the people to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill their religious obligations! The kings of the Northern Kingdom were selected by the people and not by Almighty God, and did not have God’s protection, and hence became a melting pot of foreign influence. The Kingdom of Judah for the most part received God’s guidance and protection until the Messianic prophesies became fulfilled in the birth, life, sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In today’s Gospel Proclamation we read: ‘And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.’ This entreaty of our Lord Jesus Christ to us His disciples is still very much applicable to this day and age, even more so now than then!

Responsorial Psalm But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

The idols of the gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men. They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not. They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.

They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat. Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them.

The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: He is their helper and their protector. The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: He is their helper and their protector.

Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

12

Wednesday 8th July 2020 Hosea:10/1-3,7-8,12 Psalm: 104/2-7 (105/2-7) Mathew:10/1-7 The First Proclamation Israel was a luxuriant vine yielding plenty of fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the richer he made the sacred pillars. Theirs is a divided heart; now they will have to pay for it. He himself will hack down their altars and wreck their sacred pillars.

Then they will say, 'We have no king because we have not feared Yahweh, but what could the king do for us?'....

Samaria has had her day. Her king is like a straw drifting on the water. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' and to the hills, 'Fall on us!' ... Sow saving justice for yourselves, reap a harvest of faithful love; break up your fallow ground: it is time to seek out Yahweh until he comes to rain saving justice down on you.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord Jesus, what would You make of prophet Hosea’s rambling account of the declarations of the Living WORD? Does it astound You as to how it reflects the dire state of humanity’s inner brokenness and ruinous orientation? Not only have we distanced ourselves from the Loving Lord, but have left the security of the group and ventured each on his/ her own way, leaving the space reserved for the Lord of the Hosts empty, allowing weeds and refuse to fill it up. Whereas contrarily, Jesus, spilling over with Love and the Spirit of God, infused the twelve disciples with power against unclean

spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease, and sent them out proclaiming the Good News-the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; turn and experience it.

Remember- a vine is valued only for its fruit; but Israel now brought no fruit to perfection, their hearts divided.

God is the Sovereign of the heart; He will have all, or none. Were the stream of the heart wholly after God, it would run strongly, and bear down all before it. Their pretences to covenant with God were deceitful. Alas, how empty a vine is the visible church even at this day!

And we do not need to elaborate on the state of the State Institutions, tainted by the political culture pre-dominant today. Alas, all earthly prosperity is but a collection of bubbles, soon destroyed like foam upon the water. Look back at history; what of man’s colossal efforts and edifices remain? The next pandemic, tsunami or the quake will rubbish it.

Sinners will seek shelter from the Judge whom they now despise as a Saviour in vain; there is no running away from the wrath or judgement of the Creator of this firmament. God however does not desire the death and ruin of sinners; therefore in mercy He desires their chastisement.

The children of iniquity still remained in Israel. It is just with God to make those who indulge themselves in ease and pleasure, to know what hardships mean. Let them cleanse their hearts from all corrupt affections and lusts, and be of a broken and contrite spirit. Let them abound in works of piety towards God, and of justice and charity towards one another; thus further the commandment to be stewards of the creation.

Prayer Starter Dearest Lord, we admit to our share of lies entertained within, of our brokenness.

Infuse Thy Spirit within... and bring us before the truth of Your continued presence here and now.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

13

Thursday 9th July 2020 Hosea:11/1-4,8,9 Psalm: 79/2-3,15-16 (80/1-2, 14-15) Mathew:10/7-15

The First Proclamation When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.

How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.

The Gospel Proclamation As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.

You received without payment, give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it,

St.Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest & Companions, Martyrs

but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Gaze on Jesus Jesus admonishes His disciples to attend to the needs of the people with great sacrifice and faith in the Lord expecting no honour, remuneration of any type because the Kingdom of God is at hand. Those who accept the disciples are blessed and those who disregard and ignore will be more susceptible to judgement than the wicked men and sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Prayerful Awareness In the First Proclamation of God's love, we see very clearly God's love and concern for the chosen ones for He states, "My compassion grows warm and tender." This is God's love, care and concern for those who accept and listen to Him and obey Him. Here we see Jesus not only admonishes His disciples, but calls them to cling on to Him in deep faith and charges them to preach the word of God expecting nothing. "You received without payment, give without payment, give without pay. Those who receive and accept your words let peace be upon them but if they do not accept and receive you they are destined to be miserable for it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for those of Sodom and Gomorrah than for those who disregard the word of God." The Holy Spirit dwells in us. Let us be open to Him and be led.

Prayer Starter Give ear, O people to the Lord's word and listen to His teachings. Let us not defile our bodies, the holy temple of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us to the Lord. Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

14

Friday 10th July 2020 Hosea:14/2-10 Psalm:50/3-4,8-9,12-14 17

(51/1-2,6-7,10-12,15) Mathew:10/16-23 The First Proclamation Please read Hosea 14/2-10 meditatively.

The Gospel Proclamation "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. .... When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ... When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Gaze at Jesus In this Gospel passage Jesus speaks to His disciples of all times, who will be facing persecutions. Jesus who is experiencing the love and protection of His Father God at every moment in His life, now goes on to ensure and empower His disciples in the same manner for their journey to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. The time has come for the disciples to go out into the world and act according to their Master's instructions.

He warned the disciples that their life in the world is not going to be a cozy one.

They have to withstand resistance, opposition and even attacks from the worldly forces. His advice is to go round the villages two by two for teaching, giving them the authority over evil spirits and He orders them to take nothing for the journey, except for a stick. The disciples

should be the first ones to believe what they proclaimed. Because of this they lived day to day, trusting in the Father's providence and always conscious of God's vision and power. The apostles must also proclaim faith and perform healings as the Master does. Jesus built their confidence by saying, "When you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say, when the hour comes, you will be given what you have to say, for it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you".

According to the reading of Hosea, in former days, Yahweh God brought the Israelites out of Egypt from slavery and ever since then He has been calling them and trying to draw them to Himself.

But they followed their own ways which brought punishment upon them. Prophet Hosea made their hearts to repent and come back to Yahweh God, wholeheartedly and belong to Him instead of worshipping false gods.

My sonship Where do I stand? Am I conscious of the prophetic call to witness Jesus as I journey? Am I afraid to speak the truth when situations arise? When I meet indifference, insult and outright rejection?

Help me Lord to abide in You and let me speak up boldly and loudly where injustice is. What You reveal to me in secret, let me share it in public without fear of consequence. Your reassuring words, "Do not be afraid" give me confidence and courage. Lord, let my joy be boundless to realise that I am more precious in Your eyes than anything else. "My mouth will declare Your praise."

Prayer Starter Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him.

He calls to the heaven above and to the earth that he may judge his people.

(Ps. 50/3, 4)

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

15

Saturday 11th July 2020

St. Benedict, Abbot

Isaiah:16/1-8 Psalm:92/1-2, 5 (93/1-2, 5) Mathew:10/24-33

Gospel Proclamation "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master. It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body, in hell, .....

Prayerful Awareness

Who is Jesus to us? Do we follow Him as our Teacher and Lord. Do we know Him and Trust Him? We know from the Gospel that He was the most humble, kind and loving Teacher ever lived on earth. How patient He was, listening to His disciples, explaining and teaching the Truth about everything. He spoke only the Truth. If we accept Him, follow His Commandments and live according to His Teaching to show love and mercy to everyone, we will be His witnesses and disciples. Yet if the world called Him, Beelzebul what will not they call us. Darkness rules this world and Truth is always hidden, where cheating, stealing and taking commissions are carried out openly and shown to the innocent people as good and normal. This

is why Lord said as disciples we should not be afraid to tell the truth or be afraid to be persecuted. As disciples we should not be afraid of those who kill the body, who torture or strike and cause suffering.

Those who torture can kill the body, but they cannot kill liberty and the spirit in the body. Do not be afraid, but trust in Divine Providence. We have a Great Teacher, so loving and so caring, willing to help us anytime we call on Him. Talk to Him, pray to Him and get to know Him as the Best Teacher, Loving Leader, as our Best Friend. Have you ever known Him this way? If not, start today; build up a close relationship with Him. He is waiting at our door step to meet us. If God is with us who can be against us. Jesus said “If anyone declares himself for Me in the presence of human beings, I will declare Myself for him in the presence of My Father in heaven”. We should abide by His Teachings and follow His Commandments to finally receive the everlasting life with Him in the Father’s Kingdom.

The first reading speaks of a vision the Prophet Isaiah had about Lord God, showing the prophet’s unworthiness due to unclean lips, living among people of unclean lips, and how a seraphim bringing an ember from the fire of Lord’s alter, touched the prophet's mouth to remove the wickedness, and purge the sins the prophet had. Then the prophet heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” to which the prophet said “Here I am, send me!”.

Prayer Starter

God our ever loving Father we thank You for Your begotten Son Jesus Christ whom we accept as our Saviour and Lord. Grant us Your Holy Spirit to guide us and follow Him in our acts, words and thoughts, as Your sons and daughters, in the Name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

16

Sunday 12th July 2020

Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time PS Wk III

Isaiah:55/10-11 Psalm:64/10-14 (65/9-15) Romans:8/18-23 Mathew:13/1-23

Introduction The Lord God reveals His revelation in today's scripture through nature and events in our daily lives. The first reading shows the great power in the Word of God. In the Gospel, the Lord presents the parable of the sower. Depending on the nature of the land on which the seeds are sown, the amount of fruit produced. In the second reading, St. Paul presents God's will for the whole universe, and His hope, and at the same time, the prime gift of the Holy Spirit, which gives each one of us the hope of inheriting the divine sonship.

The First Proclamation

For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth, it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Prayerful Awareness

God reveals through the prophet Isaiah the magnificence of the Word of God in its power. Isaiah says this during the time that the Israelites were in exile in Babylon about the middle of the sixth century BCE. During that time, those people were going through a period of hopelessness

and hard times. This powerful promise is one of many promises that inspired and motivated the people.

Gospel Proclamation

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying, "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away.

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, ... Let anyone with ears listen!"

Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand. .... I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

"Hear then the parable of the sower.

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart, this is what

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

17

was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.

But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Prayerful awareness

Let us take to heart the revelation that the Lord brings to us in the parable of the sower. Catholics and Christians have heard the Good News that the Lord brings to us about the Kingdom of God from our childhood. But was my heart fertile for the seed of that Good News? Let us be aware of ourselves, are we obedient to the Word of God to the extent that we are living according to the Word and bearing fruits in it. Is there a suitable environment for you and me to be fertile? Do we receive the required spiritual nourishment through our family or our communities? Let us look at ourselves; Let us repent. Let us enter into a close relationship with God to bear fruit in the society in which you and I live, and let us pray for the power to enter into a fruitful life journey making Christ our only vision.

The Second Proclamation

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, for the creation was subjected to futility; not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from

its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Prayerful Awareness

St. Paul reveals to us that it is God's hope that the whole Universe will be free from the enslavement of decay and live in dignity and glory as the adopted children of God. Therefore, we do not inherit sin and suffering. It is not God's Will for man to suffer. Pain, sicknesses, and plagues are all inherited from sin. But through the Blood of Christ, there is healing, salvation, and freedom from all of these sufferings.

Therefore, we have a responsibility to meet the resurrected Christ and live for the Kingdom as sons of God, through inheriting the grace that flows from Christ.

My sonship

God has a dream about us and the whole Universe. That is, all of us are living a fruitful life in the inheritance of God. That is why the risen Lord is alive with us, and the Holy Spirit is with us as our Helper. Just as we need fertilizer, water, sunshine, air, and good fertile soil to grow a tree, we all need the right environment for the Kingdom of God to flourish. Let us first develop a relationship with God. Let us dwell in the power of God's love in daily prayer. Let us experience the ability to love one another. Similarly, by reading and studying God's Word, we can gaze on Christ, recognize the values of the Kingdom, and live a fruitful life.

Prayer Starter

Holy Spirit, You are God's voice. You are the One who makes His Word, the Word of God, flesh in us. So, keep us constantly aware. Lead us not only to hear the Word of God but also to be fruitful in it!

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

18

Monday 13th July 2020 Isaiah: 1/10-17 Psalm: 49/8.9,16,17, 21,23 (50/8-9,16-17,21-23) Mathew:10/34-11/1 Responsorial Psalm I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight. ....

But to the sinner God hath said: Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth? ....These things hast thou done, and I was silent.

Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face. The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God. Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, where the central theme is that God’s desire for us is to submit to His Will on account of our love for Him, instead of fear. But submitting to God’s Will is not easy, but requires us to experience a death to our will, our desires, which is more difficult than fulfilling rituals such as fasting and doing penance, etc. And it calls for our abandoning worldly things in favour of heavenly things, which goes contrary to those who are wallowing in worldly pleasures, to the extent the worldly will start to ridicule / reject those who submit to God’s Will. This could be the response received even from own family members, but those who endure to the last shall receive the reward of eternal life with the Lord, as described in the Gospel Proclamation as follows: ‘Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.

For I came to set a man at variance

St. Henry, Bishop & Doctor against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.

He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

Let us dwell on two important phrases that the Lord draws our attention to in today’s Proclamations. They are: The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

Hence we see our showing mercy to others (in forgiving, lending a helping hand) is more pleasing to the Lord than our sacrifices (such as fasting, and doing penance)! Stop doing evil, and learn to do right. See that justice is done – help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows (from today’s First Proclamation, Isaiah 1:17).

And thanking and praising God in all circumstances would endear us to Him, and He will salvage us from every bad situation! Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

19

Tuesday 14th July 2020 Isaiah:7/1-9 Psalm:47/2-8 (48/1-7) Mathew:11/20-24

The First Proclamation When King Ahaz, the son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, ruled Judah, war broke out. Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, attacked Jerusalem, but were unable to capture it. When word reached the king of Judah that the armies of Syria were already in the territory of Israel, he and all his people were so terrified that they trembled like trees shaking in the wind. The Lord said to Isaiah, "Take your son Shear Jashub, and go to meet King Ahaz. You will find him on the road where the cloth makers work, at the end of the ditch that brings water from the upper pool.

Tell him to keep alert, to stay calm, and not to be frightened or disturbed.

The anger of King Rezin and his Syrians and of King Pekah is no more dangerous than the smoke from two smoldering sticks of wood. Syria, together with Israel and its king, has made a plot. They intend to invade Judah, terrify the people into joining their side, and then put Tabeel's son on the throne. "But I, the Lord, declare that this will never happen.

Why? Because Syria is no stronger than Damascus, its capital city, and Damascus is no stronger than King Rezin. As for Israel, within sixty-five years it will be too shattered to survive as a nation. Israel is no stronger than Samaria, its capital city, and Samaria is no stronger than King Pekah. "If your faith is not enduring,

you will not endure."

The Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin!

Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Prayerful Awareness The theme in the Gospel Proclamation is repentance. Jesus denounces the cities because they wouldn’t repent despite having witnessed the many miracles He had performed. Here they had evidence yet they refused to acknowledge Jesus’ authority and they dismissed His call to repentance. The people in these cities were worldly, and it was easier for them to go on sinning.

They wanted only the miracles, they didn’t want to see their sin and repent.

Man needs to acknowledge his sin and repent of his sin. The desire to repent too is the grace given by God Himself.

Prayer Starter Lord, I truly need Your forgiveness.

I repent for all I have done, said and thought that were not pleasing to Your Holy Will for me. I want to turn around and come back to You, Lord. But I need Your help. Please forgive me Lord.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

20

Wednesday 15th July 2020 Isaiah:10/5-7,13-16 Psalm:93/5-10, 14-15 (94/5-10,14-15) Mathew:11/25-27

The First Proclamation O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets….. For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Holy Lord, You are indeed Holy; and Mighty; and Awesome! How arrogant are the thoughts we choose, were wethe created, to believe that we could go against the wishes of the Creator; live our lives out ignorant of and in denial of the truth that we are but elements of S/His thoughts - brought in to being to experience S/His Love....

The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought he acted by his own will. We at times are in denial that (even) the tyrants of the world too are tools of Providence.

God designs (in and through everything) to correct His people for their hypocrisy: of their narrow-mindedness: of selfishness: of their insensitivity to the larger picture: from numbness, and bring them nearer to Him. But is that Sennacherib’s design? No; he designs to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. The Assyrian boasts what great things he has done to other nations, by his own policy and power. He knows not that it is God who makes him what he is, empowering him even in his ungodly activities, putting the staff into his hand. Because he conquered Samaria, he thinks Jerusalem would fall of course. It was lamentable that Jerusalem should have set up graven images, but in this respect she was surpassed by the heathen. But is it not equally foolish for Christians to emulate the people of the world in vanities, instead of keeping to things which are their special honour?

For a tool to boast, or to strive against him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Yahweh. When God allows His people into trouble, it is to bring sin to their remembrance, and humble them, and to awaken them to a sense of their duty and bigger destiny (remember the prodigal son, where he ended up!); this must be the fruit, even the taking away of sin. When these points are gained by the affliction, it shall be removed in mercy. It becomes children to be grateful. God will be as a fire to consume the workers of iniquity, both soul and body. Who is able to stand before this great and holy Lord God? Prayer Starter Lord, I understand a little; and choose to be humbled and thankful before Your greatness and mercy.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

21

Thursday 16th July 2020 Isaiah:26/7-9,12,16-19 Psalm:101/13-21 (102/12-20) Mathew:11/28-30

Mass of the Bl. Virgin Mary: Zecharah:2/14-17 Psalm:Luke:1/46-55 Matthew:12/46-50 The First Proclamation The way of the righteous is level; O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous. In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and your renown are the soul's desire. My soul yearns for you in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.

O Lord, in distress they sought you, they poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them. Like a woman with child, who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near her time, so were we because of you O Lord, we were with child, we writhed, but we gave birth only to wind. We have won no victories on earth, and no one is born to inhabit the world,,,, The Gospel Proclamation Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Prayerful Awareness What a consolation Jesus offers in

Our Lady of Mount Carmel today's Gospel proclamation, for all the weary and heavily burdened. Can you imagine any other person other than Jesus who would call us to take His yoke upon us, It is God's comforting love which Jesus is so full of. Jesus knows the worldly ways of being heavily burned which causes conflicts with others. That is why Jesus says "My yoke is easy, my burden is light". He knows His Father would help Him to fulfill this request.

We are invited to put on the sweet yoke of Jesus and to live the heavenly way of life and happiness.

Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. In His Kingdom sins are not only forgiven but removed and eternal life is poured out for all citizens. It is a spiritual kingdom. The yoke of Christ's Kingdom, His kingly rule and way of life liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sin and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus uses the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a yoke of freedom from sin. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is His way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Let us trust in God's love and submit to His Will and plan for our life.

For all who come to Jesus, He says "I am gentle and humble in heart." This gentleness and humility gave Him peace of mind. "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you."

Prayer Starter Lord, inflame my heart with love for You and for Your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to Your holy and loving Word.

Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may desire what is good and in accord with Your Will.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

22

Friday 17th July 2020 Isaiah:38/1-6,21-22,7-8 Psalm:Isaiah:38/10-12, 16 Mathew:12/1-8

The First Proclamation In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death.

The prophet Isaiah ... came to him, and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover." Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord. "Remember now, O Lord I implore you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ... I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, I will add fifteen years to your life. .....

Gospel Proclamation “I assure you that for those who declare publicly that they belong to me, the Son of Man will do the same before the angels of God. But those who reject me publicly, the Son of Man will also reject before the angels of God. “Whoever says a word against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but those who say evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. “When they bring you to be tried in the synagogues or before governors or rulers, do not be worried about how you will defend yourself or what you will say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” ' Psalm (Isaiah) 38: 10-12, 16 'I thought that in the prime of life I

was going to the world of the dead, never to live out my life.

I thought that in this world of the living I would never again see the Lord Or any living person.

My life was cut off and ended, like a tent that is taken down, like cloth that is cut from a loom. I thought that God was ending my life.

Lord, I will live for you, for you alone; Heal me and let me live. ' Prayerful Awareness The Psalm from Isaiah is a song of thanksgiving from King Hezekiah after his recovery from an illness from which he nearly died. When King Hezekiah cried out to the Lord, God promised him that he would be healed to live for 15 years and the city of Jerusalem will be protected from the emperor of Assyria.

As a sign Lord promised that when he goes to the temple, he will notice his shadow go ten steps back and it did.

In the Gospel, Jesus promises that when we choose Jesus as the Savior and Master of our life and we are ready to confess that He is Lord, the power of the Holy Spirit will rest upon us to defend us and battle against all evil.

Lord Jesus has given the privilege of knowing the Holy Spirit to all the Christians who are baptized. A Church or a community without the Holy Spirit is dead. If we consider our Church or community as dead, let us reflect whether Jesus and the Holy Spirit are at the center of our Church / community? What prominence do we give the Holy Spirit in our worship as a family, a community, or the Church?

Prayer starter Dear Holy Spirit, the beloved of our soul, be our defender and guide. Help us to awaken to Your presence, ask You for counsel, and talk to You as our best friend, at all times.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

23

Saturday 18th July 2020 Micah:2/1-5 Psalm:9/22-25,28,29.35 (10/1-4,7-8,14) Mathew:12/14-21

Gospel Proclamation The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.

Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus went away from the Pharisees as this was not the time and the way to fulfill Father’s Will. But, many marginalized people who are not accepted in the society or in the religious field followed Jesus desirous in encountering Him. Due to His compassion and love Jesus cured and healed them, but warned them not to divulge to anyone what He did, as it may create a desire among such people to riot against the leaders. Jesus came into this world to fulfill Father’s Will and He was always focused on same. Jesus proved us that this should be the prime motive of

one’s life as a Christian. Who are we and what are we focused on for our lives and what is the Will of God for our lives. In 1Thess. 5:16-1 St. Paul says to Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the Will of God for us in Christ Jesus. We do not know or forget that we belong to God as He created us to His own Image (same likeness), same Divine Image (Gen. 1:26 and 27). In Is. 43:7 it is stated that “everyone who is named as mine, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made”.

Do we display God’s qualities and be witnesses of His great Love, Care and Mercy for which we are created. Jesus grew up with God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit with Him to guide Him. At Baptism we too received the Holy Spirit. If we do not know Him still, it is time to get to know Him well and allow Him to guide and teach us how to act, what to speak and think to bring glorify to God as children of God (Rom 8:14).

Pray to the Holy Spirit the Friend, the Advocate and God within us.

The first reading is on the Message of Mica: God was not going to allow sinful practices to continue. Punishment with famine, war and ultimate national captivity would soon descend upon the people unless they responded to the prophet’s warning messages and repented for their wickedness. The rulers were mostly to blame, as they were responsible for leading the people into sin, despite possessing knowledge of God’s laws.

Prayer Starter God our Loving Father grant us Your Holy Spirit to have Wisdom to know Your Will and to act accordingly to bring You Glory in the Name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

24

Sunday 19th July 2020 Wisdom:12/13,16-19 Psalm:85/5-6,9-10, 15-16 (86/5-6,9-10,15-16) Romans:8/26-27 Mathew:13/24-43 (OR 13/24-30)

Introduction

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time PS Wk IV among those who know it. Although you are sovereign in strength, you judge with mildness, and with great forbearance you govern us; for you have power to act whenever you choose. Through such works you have taught your people that the righteous must be kind, and you have filled your children with good hope, because you give repentance for sins.

Prayerful Awareness Solomon speaking of the intervention of God on behalf of the people of God in Exodus, the focal point in the Old Testament wakens us to the most noble qualities of the God most high.

King Solomon teaches that it is through faith and by living according to the tradition handed down to us that we are able to fearlessly face sin and suffering in life. God in His sovereignty over all never did exercise His authority on anybody but spared all. It was for the good of all that He shared His power with His creation and whose gentleness and mercy challenges us while His patient endurance guides us. Therefore, let us repent and opt for conversion, become conscious of leading a life of righteousness daily listening to the word of God and pray for the power to do so.

The Gospel Proclamation

On this Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time the Eucharistic Theme presented by Holy Mother the Church is "The Lord is patient with the sinner."

The Father who shows His infinite mercy to the weak sinners like us, also invites us to be kind and merciful like Him and guides us on our way, challenging us to be patient with sinners.

Why does God allow the evil to prevail on earth? Why doesn't He eradicate unrighteousness and injustice? Such issues are presented through the proclamations of the day and they are focused on and being answered to.

God's desire is for all to inherit eternal life and thus He extends an invitation to repentance and conversion. Let us pray for the grace to open He put before them another parourselves to this. able : "The kingdom of heaven may The First Proclamation be compared to someone who sowed For neither is there any god be- good seed in his field; but while evsides you, whose care is for all people, erybody was asleep, an enemy came to whom you should prove that you and sowed weeds among the wheat, have not judged unjustly, and then went away. So when the For thy strength is the source of plants came up and bore grain, then righteousness, and your sovereignty the weeds appeared as well. And the over all causes you to spare all. For slaves of the householder came and you show your strength when peo- said to him, 'Master, did you not ple doubt the completeness of your sow good seed in your field? Where, power, and you rebuke any insolence then, did these weeds come from? He

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

25

answered, 'An enemy has done this,' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."

He put before them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." … Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet.… (Please read the whole proclamation.)

Prayerful Awareness Our Lord was well aware of the mission entrusted to Him by the Father in sending Him to the world. And His attempt to proclaim the Kingdom of God while experiencing the same within His self is revealed in the Gospel proclamation of the day. It is through varied fables and parables that Jesus teaches His disciples of the dawn and the mystery of the Kingdom. The inner experience of our Lord was to win everybody to God for which means He uses allegories and metaphors well discerning the circumstances and situations most appropriate. He was filled with the Kingdom of God for the purpose of facilitating His listeners to retain His teachings in their minds, challenging to live them out and guiding them to stand in readiness for what is to come at the eschatological times with righteous living. His only hope was that all may experience the

Kingdom.

The Second Proclamation Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Prayerful Awareness It is a fact that St. Paul having encountered the risen Lord and then filled with the Holy Spirit engaged himself totally in the journey of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. And thus precisely out of his experience he speaks of how the Spirit helps us in our weakness and when we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words since He knows our hearts. Let us make space for the Holy Spirit who guides us to pray as we ought.

Towards us The triple gift (of priestly, regal and prophetic) we have received by virtue of our baptism is exactly for the sake of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Let us be mindful and see what hinders our proclamation of the Kingdom. Individually, as a family and community, and as a parish, how many obstacles do we face in proclaiming the Kingdom of God? If we are to overcome them first of all we should really see them for what they are. Let us ask the Lord to grace us with the ability to do so.

Prayer Starter For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble I call on You, for You will answer me....

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

26

Monday 20th July 2020

St. Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr

Micah:6/1-4, 6-8 Psalm:49/5-6,9,16,17, 21,23 (50/5-6,8-9,16-17,21,23) Mathew:12/38-42

Gospel Proclamation Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah; and see something greater than Jonah is here! The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and see something greater than Solomon is here!”

Prayerful Awareness Jesus has carried out many miracles for the blind to see, lame to walk and dead to rise. Jesus carried out all these miracles due to His love and compassion to relieve the sufferers’ agony or pain or to correct impairments, according to the Father’s Will. He is not a magician to carry out miracles for others to see.

Pharisees and Scribes having heard about these miracles, urge Him to carry out a miracle for them to see. Jesus nev-

er carried out any miracle for His own glory and knew their intentions to argue and condemn His acts, as they did when Jesus cured a demoniac who was blind and mute. Then the Pharisees said “this man drives out demons only by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons."

(Mat. 12:22-24). This is why Jesus said that no sign will be given to such an unfaithful generation except the sign of Jonah the prophet, the didactic story written about the disobedient prophet, to show how strong is the Will of God to forgive the ones who repent and change.

The people of Nineveh received God’s Word, what Jonah preached and repented and changed. To which category do we belong? Do we accept the Word Jesus preached and accept Him as our Saviour and Lord? Live according to His Teachings and follow all His Commandments?

Jesus intercedes for all who follow His commandments, and send them the Holy Spirit from Father as a Gift to be with them always (Jn. 14: 15-17). Holy Spirit, will help them, teach and guide them to live as children of God (Rom. 8:14), with love and mercy.

The First Proclamation Please read Micah 6/1-4, 6-8 prayerfully. God has maintained His fidelity of the covenant to people whom He brought from Egypt from slavery, and presents a plea against them for a trial with Israel for their sinful living. Lord will not be pleased with their offerings. They should repent and change only to do the right, to love goodness and to walk humbly with the Lord.

Prayer Starter God our ever Loving Father, grant us Your Holy Spirit to know what is right and what is wrong and grant us Wisdom to know about everything and to live pious lives as Your children who belong to You. We ask these in the Name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

27

Tuesday 21st July 2020 Micah:7/14-15,18-20 Psalm:84/2-8 (85/1-7) Mathew:12/46-50

The First Proclamation Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, show us marvelous things.

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob.

The Gospel Proclamation While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Prayerful Awareness Our God is compassionate, He is

a loving God, He is a forgiving God, and He looks after His people like a shepherd. He lets go of His anger against His people. It is beautiful to see the depth of God’s love for His people, even though they reject Him, sin against Him, disobey Him, God finds a way to love them regardless of their actions.

But the experience was limited to the descendants of Abraham and Jacob, God's chosen people.

"You will show your faithfulness and constant love to your people, the descendants of Abraham and of Jacob, as you promised our ancestors long ago.”

In the Gospel Jesus says; “Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”

So now it is not limited to a tribe or bloodline, it is Universal. Jesus opens up God's love to everyone who believes in Him. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, if you believe and obey the Will of God, he/she earns the right to become a son and daughter of God. Our Sonship Let us accept this truth and own the fact that we are children of God and act accordingly. Your past or where you come from is irrelevant to God. You just need to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour; "NOW" in the present moment.

He will lead you in a path of repentance.

True repentance always comes after the anointment of the Holy Spirit. God always takes the first step towards us; we just need to let Him. Prayer Starter I am listening to what the Lord God is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people, if we do not go back to our foolish ways.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

28

Wednesday 22nd July 2020

Song:33/1-4 OR 2 Corinthians:5/14-17 Psalm:62/2-6,8-9 (63/1-5,7-8) John:20/1-2, 11-18

The First Proclamation For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Fix your gaze on Jesus The apostle would quicken himself and the others to acts of duty. Well– grounded hopes of heaven will not allow sloth and the search for certitudes (sinful security).

Let all consider the judgment to come, which is called, the Terror of the Lord. Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as His disciples. Their zeal and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ's love to us will have a like effect upon us, if duly considered and rightly judged.

All were lost and undone, dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no power to deliver themselves, and would have

remained so thus, miserable for ever, if Christ had not died. We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living and actions. A Christian's life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how many show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves and to the world!

The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation.

The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things.

The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ.

By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Christ knew no sin.

He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin–offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave His beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in Him? Prayer Starter Indeed have we come to know the love of Jesus, our Lord. Worthy of all honour and glory is our beloved Saviour.

Alleluia!

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

29

Thursday 23rd July 2020 Jeremiah:2/1-3,7-8, 12-13 Psalm:35/6-11 (36/5-10) Mathew:13/10-17

The First Proclamation The word of the Lord came to me, saying; 'Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem. Thus says the Lord: I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the first fruits of his harvest. All who ate of it were held guilty; disaster came upon them, says the Lord. ...

The Gospel Proclamation Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ... With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. ...

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see , but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Gaze on Jesus

to know more they will be given much but there are still many w are ignorant of all these, even though they have gained experience but yet wish to have their own way and hence Jesus says, "I have to speak to such people in parables because with all their experience yet they go aloof and relish n having their own way." and Jesus quotes prophet Isaiah's words as an example in support of His view.

Prayerful Awareness Israelites, the chosen people of God as stated in the Old Testament, were one time very faithful to God but later became very unfaithful. This we read in the First proclamation of God's Love. God blessed them and gave them plentiful but later they defiled the land and made God's heritage an abomination. These people have committed two evils: (1) They have forsaken Him, the fountain of living waters, (2) They hewed cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Similarly we too have turned away from God like the Israelites after we are blessed plentifully. We are so much attached to these that we have become worldly and forgotten the Divine goodness that we are now of the world and away from God. Let us be on the alert and not forget our past. Let us be open to the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, leading and guiding us from the wilderness. "The Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor know him; you know him, for He dwells in you and will be in you." (John 14/17). Let us be lowly and gentle like Jesus the Risen Lord and be led by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

Prayer Starter

Let us praise the Lord at all times.

Let us exalt His Name for He delivers Even though the disciples were very us from all evil and fear. He is close to close to Jesus, they did not know the se- the righteous, delivering them from all crets of the Kingdom. Those who desire troubles. Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

30

Friday 24th July 2020

St. Sharbel Makbluf, Priest

once. The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message... And the seeds sown in the good soil stand for those who hear the message and understand it: they bear fruit...”

The First Proclamation Prayerful Awareness “Unfaithful people, come back; you belong to me ... I will bring you Today’s readings taken from Jeremiback to Mount Zion ... people will no ah center on God’s messianic promise to longer talk about my Covenant Box. His people. The proclamations speak of They will no longer think about it or Israel and a return to Mount Zion, but His remember it; they will not even need it, anointing includes you and I on “far-off nor will they make another one. When shores” (Jer 31: 18). Anyone who has that time comes, Jerusalem will be opened their heart to God, who treasures called ‘The Throne of the Lord’, and and keeps His Word is considered a all nations will gather there to worship sheep of His flock, whom He will gather me. They will no longer do what their and safeguard. The most striking aspect stubborn and evil hearts tell them. Is- of the perfection enclosed in Jeremiah’s rael will join with Judah, and together prophecy, is the depiction of people ... return to the land that I gave your liberated from sin and fear. People who ancestors as a permanent possession.” lack nothing.

Psalm How can we receive the abundance The Lord says, “Nations, listen to of God’s promises? In the gospel, Jesus me, and proclaim my words on the far- explains the parable of the sower and the off shores. I scattered my people, but seed to reveal what we should aspire to I will gather them and guard them as in our own faith journey, as well as those a shepherd guards his flock. I have set things of which we should be wary. If, Israel's people free... They will be like in this life, we can nurture God’s word a well-watered garden; they will have in our heart, if we can seek the light we everything they need. Then the young need to grow in God’s precepts and not women will dance and be happy, and the temporary and volatile conditions of this world, if we can experience new men, young and old, will rejoice... life in the Lord and share it with others, The Gospel Proclamation we will be well-prepared to receive the “Listen, then ... Those who hear abundance of God’s promise, when the the message about the Kingdom but time comes.

Prayer Starter do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One Dear Lord, guide my heart to You. comes and snatches away what was I am weak but Thou art strong. The sown in them. The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who world produces so much noise, but Lord, receive the message gladly as soon as help me seek Your throne. Let me sit at they hear it. But it does not sink deep Your feet and find words of wisdom and into them, and they don't last long. So comfort so that I can overcome my browhen trouble or persecution comes kenness, the challenges that I’m going because of the message, they give up at through, and remain Yours always.

Jeremiah:3/14-17 Psalm:Jere:31/10-13 Mathew:13/18-23

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

31

Saturday 25th July 2020

St. James, Apostle

vour of Him. She gave Jesus WORSHIP but her real MOTIVE was to get something from Him. Too often this happens in our churches and in our lives. We play religious games, expecting God to give us something in return. TRUE WORSHIP however ADORES and PRAISES Christ for Who He is and for What He has done.

She wanted special positions to be The First Proclamation given to her two sons in God's KingPlease read 2 Corinthians 4/7-16 dom. Parents want their children to be promoted and honoured, but this desire prayerfully. is DANGEROUS, if it loses the sight The Gospel Proclamation of God's special Will for their children.

Then the mother of the sons of Parents' desire for their children's adZebedee came to him with her sons, vancement must be held in check, as and kneeling before him, she asked a they pray that God's Will be done in their favor of him. And he said to her, "What children's lives. do you want?" She said to him, "DeJesus was showing that He was under clare that these two sons of mine will the authority of the Father, Who alone sit, one at your right hand and one at makes the decisions about leadership in your left in your kingdom." But Jesus heaven. Such rewards are not granted as answered, "You do not know what you FAVOURS. They are for those who have are asking. Are you able to drink the maintained their commitment to Jesus in cup that I am about to drink?" They spite of severe trials. said to him, "We are able." He said The other disciples were UPSET with to them, "You will indeed drink my James and John for trying to grab the top cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but positions. All the disciples wanted to be it is for those for whom it has been the greatest, but Jesus taught them that the GREATEST person in God's Kingprepared by my Father." dom is the SERVANT of all. Authority is When the ten heard it, they were given NOT for self- importance, ambition angry with the two brothers. But Je- or respect, but for USEFUL SERVICE to sus called them to him and said, "You God and His creation. know that the rulers of the Gentiles Jesus' mission was to serve others and lord it over them, and their great ones to give His life away. A real leader has a are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be servant's heart. A ransom was the price great among you must be your servant, paid to release a SLAVE from bondage. and whoever wishes to be first among Jesus died, to redeem all people from the you must be your slave, just as the bondage of sin and death. Jesus revealed Son of Man came not to be served but that only His DEATH would SAVE them to serve, and to give his life a ransom and the world.

Prayer Starter for many."

Lord Jesus, help us to do what needs Prayerful Awareness to be done, and not to wait to be asked, The mother of James and John came but take the initiative and do it like a to Jesus and kneeling down asked a fa- faithful servant, for the glory of God.

2 Corinthians:4/7-15 Psalm:125/1-6 (126/1-6) Mathew:20/20-28

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

32

Sunday 26th July 2020

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time PS Wk I

counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern tis your great people?"

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give Introduction you a wise and discerning mind; no Christ is love; God is the source of one like you has been before you and love. God has called and chosen special no one like you shall arise after you. people from time to time, generation Prayerful awareness to generation, to spread His love to the The wisdom of God transcends huworld. To spread His good news, He called patriarchs, heroes, kings as well as man intelligence. For the first time God prophets. In the New Testament through appeared to King Solomon in a dream Christ He chose the people and appointed and told him to ask what he desires. The them. Starting with the Apostles and His king asked for wisdom. This was since, disciples He bestowed a special calling the king was acting as a judge over his subjects during that time. Therefore in on them.

Likewise, as we celebrate Indigenous order to guide his people on the right Clergy Sunday today, let us praise God path, he understood that he needed to be for the vocation of all priests and monks. filled with God’s Wisdom. For, the king Let us celebrate with joy. Similarly, by was accountable to God for his people. the signs of time, they are bound to de- Likewise, he did not depend on his own clare the Kingdom of God. Let us enter wisdom but had faith in God’s wisdom to into prayer to enable them to carry out guide him. He depended on God. He got their mission and to ask God for power direction from God. Therefore wisdom was a gift from God. And it is not just to perform their duty. special knowledge that he received, it The First Proclamation was righteous, it was just and demonAt Gibeon the Lord appeared to strates truthfulness. To enter that special Solomon in a dream by night'; and experience King Solomon was in thirst God said, "Ask what I should give and he asked for wisdom from God. you."

The Second Proclamation And now, O Lord my God, you We know that all things work have made your servant king in place together for good for those who love of my father David, although I am only God, who are called according to his a little child. I do not know how to go purpose. For those whom he foreknew out or come in. And your servant is he also predestined to be conformed to in the midst of the people whom you the image of his Son, in order that he have chosen, a great people, so nu- might be the firstborn within a large merous they cannot be numbered or family. And those whom he predes-

1 Kings:3/5,7-12 Psalm:119/57,72,76,77, 127-130 Romans:8/28-30 Mathew:13/44-52 (OR 44-46)

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

33

tined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Prayerful awareness In the Old Testament God makes a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. They are the holy people who belonged to God. In The New Testament He selects His chosen people through Christ. They are the people chosen by Him, the people whom He called, the people whom He loved, and He worked towards their betterment. He protects them. And His love is an unconditional love. He forgave them, He accepted them, He loved them and showed how deep His love was for them. Let us praise and worship God the Father from our whole heart, He who gave us the opportunity to be close to Him, to be connected with Him. Let us praise God the Father for calling us from the beginning of time.

Gospel Proclamation "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Prayerful Awareness

He does this by His own experience.

The value of the Kingdom is priceless.

The person who knows the value of the Kingdom of God, abandons everything he considered as worth upto now and becomes an owner of the Kingdom. Further he will own the special calling given by God and will take steps to follow Him in order to be a disciple.

Furthermore the Lord says, if a scribe acknowledges his calling, he will be like a landlord who will take new and old things from his stores and bring them out. (The scribes are professionals, the lawyers who had a respected job in that society). As Christians who follow Christ, they should proclaim the Kingdom of God, making use of the Truth they inherited from the Israelites as well as the teachings of Our Lord.

From the Israelites, our inheritance is the truth and using our Lord's teachings of God, that the Kingdom of God should be proclaimed, the Lord calls upon us today – to be true disciples of Christ. So let us acknowledge His calling.

My sonship Let us stop for a moment and be aware. God Himself calls us through our Baptism, as a prophet, a king and a priest. Let us recognize this calling and acknowledge His invitation. Furthermore let us also acknowledge the special calling given to priests and nuns and enter into prayer asking for the strength and the power, to enable them to work towards the Kingdom of God with delightful and joyful hearts.

Prayer Starter

The Lord is my portion, I promise to keep your words.

The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Let your steadfast love becme my comfort according to yur promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that Christ our Lord reveals the flavor of I may live; for your law is my delight. the Kingdom of God; He shows the "Ab(Ps.119/57, 72, 76,77...) solute Value" of the Kingdom of God.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

34

Monday 27th July 2020 Jeremiah:13/1-11 Psalm:Deut.32/18-21 Mathew:13/31-35

The First Proclamation Please read Jeremiah 13/1-11 meditatively.

The Gospel Proclamation He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field, it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."

He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, without a parable he told them nothing. .....

Gaze at Jesus

has. In the same manner, we also can do wonders, Starting from the smallest, we could be of service to mankind and thereby make the Kingdom to come.

Mathew's concept is that the greatest things can start from the smallest beginnings and so is the Kingdom of Heaven. Luke is the Universalist who dreamt of a world for Christ; his view is that all kinds of men and nations will come together and will find shelter and protection of God. With the parable of the mustard seed Jesus chows us that the Kingdom of God must be a sign, it has to be something very noticeable in the world - the Church - the assembly of those called together.

They are to serve together with all people of goodwill working in every area of human development.

Again Jesus addressed the people - "To what will I liken the Kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and kept in the measure of flour until the whole were leavened." What is my contribution in response. Holy Spirit help me to examine my inner self to see whether I have been yeast to those who cross my path and help them to reach out and make them to experience the love of God. In the first proclamation Jeremiah expresses the great love Yahweh God has for the Israelites, "for just as a belt is to be bound around a man's waist, so were the people of Israel, Judah bound to me, to my people, to my glory and honour.

But they would not listen." These were the words spoken about 3000 years ago.

Let us pledge to Him and be sorry in their place and not be stubborn in our hearts and let us live lives pleasing to God, in the light of God's Word.

Prayer Starter

When Jesus was in the presence of His Father God, the truths about the Kingdom were revealed to Him, so as to implement them among the people.

The techniques used by Jesus are the parables as examples taken from the familiar surroundings. At this particular instance, Jesus had just finished relating the parable of the weeds and was going to illustrate another.

In today's Gospel reading Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is the smallest of all the seeds which, when sown upon the ground, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches so Our Father in heaven, May Your that the birds of the air can make nests in Kingdom come, Your Will be done... its shade. What a potential a small seed

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

35

Tuesday 28th July 2020 Jeremiah:14/17-22 Psalm:78/8-9,11,13 (79/8-9,11,13) Mathew:13/36-43

The First Proclamation You shall say to them this word: Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter - my people - is struck down with a crushing blow, with a very grievous wound. If I go out into the field, look - those killed by the sword!

And if I enter the city, look - those sick with famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade throughout the land, and have no knowledge, Have you completely rejected Judah? Does your heart loath Zion?

Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? We look for peace, but find no good, for a time of healing, but there is terror instead.....

The Gospel Proclamation Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom, the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evil-doers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous

will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

Prayerful Awareness Jesus' disciples could not comprehend the parable of the weeds. The Kingdom of God is not a geographic location, but a spiritual realm where God rules and where we share in His eternal life.

At the end of the world, angels will separate the EVIL from the GOOD. There are true and false believers in Churches today, but we should be careful in our judgement because only CHRIST is qualified to make the FINAL SEPARATION. If we start judging we may damage some of the good 'PLANTS'.

It is more important to judge our own response to God than to analyze others' response.

Jesus often uses these terms to refer to the coming judgement. The weeping shows SORROW or remorse, and gnashing of teeth shows the EXTREME anxiety of PAIN. Those who say they do not care what happens to them after they die, do not understand what they are saying.

They WILL BE PUNISHED for living in selfishness and indifference to God. Those who receive God's favour stand in bright contrast to those who receive God's judgement. Faithfulness to God has a rich reward, not necessarily in this life, but most certainly in the life to come. The faithful servants are those who serve God in gratitude for His (Jesus') deliverance. Those who call on His Name and those who honour the words they speak before Him; walk with God, accept the freedom He offers; and cultivates a relationship with Him. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, help us to trust You always, even in the challenges we face, and losses in life. Help us to remain faithful to You in our darkest hours.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

36

Wednesday 29th July 2020 1 John:4/7-16 Psalm:33/2-11 (34/1-10) John:11/19-20 OR Luke:10/38-42

The First Proclamation Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God; for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way. God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

Fix your gaze on Jesus The Spirit of God is the Spirit of love.

He that does not see and love the image of God in His people, has no saving knowledge of God. For it is God's nature to be kind, and to give happiness. The law of God is love; and all would have been perfectly happy, had all obeyed it. The provision of the gospel, for the forgive-

St. Martha ness of sin, and the salvation of sinners, brims over consistently with God's glory and justice, showing that God is love.

However, mystery and darkness (lack of clarity) rest upon many things yet. God has so shown Himself to be love, that we cannot come short of eternal happiness, unless through unbelief and impenitence, although strict justice would condemn us to hopeless misery, because we break our Creator's laws.

None of our words or thoughts can do justice to the free, astonishing love of a holy God towards sinners, who could not profit or harm Him, whom He might justly crush in a moment, and whose deserving of His vengeance was shown in the method by which they were saved. S/He could have created other worlds, with more perfect beings, by His almighty Word, if He had seen fit. Search we the whole universe for love in its most glorious displays? It is to be found in the person and the cross of Christ.

Does love exist between God and sinners? Here was the origin, not that we loved God, but that He freely loved us. His love could not be designed to be fruitless upon us, and when its proper end and issue are gained and produced, it may be said to be perfected. So faith is perfected by its works. Thus it will appear that God dwells in us by His new–creating Spirit. A loving Christian is a perfect Christian; set him to any good duty, and he is perfect to it, he is expert at it. Love oils the wheels of his affections, and sets him on that which is helpful to his brethren; and to call Him Abba, Father. From love to Him, they hate sin, and whatever disagrees with His Will, and they have a sound and hearty desire to do His Will. Such testimony is the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Starter Most gracious Lord, all honour and glory and might be Yours now and forever. Amen.

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”

37

Thursday 30th July 2020

St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor

Jeremiah:18/1-6 Psalm:145/1-6 (146/1-6) Mathew:13/47-53

The Gospel Proclamation Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind, when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"Have you understood all this?"

They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." When Jesus had finished these parables he left that place.

Gaze on Jesus Jesus during His ministry chose new people to teach the values of the Kingdom, such as the societies marginalised, the down-trodden and the weary. They were given opportunities to experience healing, forgiveness of their sin, and took risks to visit their homes. The healing and acceptance of them as they are helped them experience the Kingdom of God. Those in authority, such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees no longer held ministry of discipleship.

Our sonship Positive outlook in our deeds and

actions, takes us and those around us to new heights. In all things, if we discern the Will of God, we know everything will not be carved out in the way we would desire. Yet, frustrations and failures lead us to change. We then have opportunities to realise there are other better ways. Hence there onwards everything will start taking a different shape which has a different purpose that leads to the ultimate goal. This may not have been within our human sight.

Like the potter, God does not give up on us. He continues to work with us until He is satisfied with the end product, who we are. God has kept the ultimate authority with Him to pick or throw, mould us or shield us like the block of clay in the potter's hand. Either way God desires to recreate us to His image and into His plan. Hence, when we encounter failure or frustrations, it is good to pause, take stock, listen and then act or move.

When we begin to accept ourselves in the mere humility of who we are in the powerful hands of God and in His security, we need not be scared for the changes every situation brings. That is why in every situation, the Church encourages us to make a confession as it is a reflective process and helps us make the changes.

Prayer Starter I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendour of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. (Ps: 145/1-5)

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

38

Friday 31st July 2020 Jeremiah:26/1-9 Psalm:68/5,8-10,14 (69/4,7-9,13) Mathew:13/54-58

The First Proclamation At the beginning of the reign of King Jehoiakim ..., this word came from the Lord: Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord; .... It may be that they will listen, all of them, and will turn from their evil way, that I may change my mind about the disaster that I intend to bring on them because of their evil doings. .... And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him saying, "You shall die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord saying, "This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant?" ....

The Gospel Proclamation He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this? And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house" and he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Prayerful Awareness "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house". The Gospel today tells us of Jesus' visit to Nazareth, His native community. Passing through Nazareth was painful for Jesus. People were astonished.

They did not understand Jesus' attitude.

They were expressing their own ideas.

The people of Nazareth are scandalized and do not accept Jesus; "This is the carpenter's son, surely". The people do not accept the mystery of God present in a common man, as they are, and as they had known Jesus.

The people who should have been the first to accept the Good News are the first to refuse it. Jesus was astonished at their lack of faith.

Towards our sonship The solution to their deepest problems was in their own backyard. Yet, the people of Nazareth felt that such a familiar figure could not bring anything extraordinary.

When the Church challenges me with some of her teachings on charity, on family life, on the need to be a courageous witness, do I sometimes find excuses saying that my circumstances are too difficult or the Church does not understand my situation? Do I sometimes let the prophetic voice of the Church die in my heart? When I feel challenged by the Gospel and by the Church, I should be thankful.

Jesus is inviting me to discover the deepest meaning of my life. He is giving me a chance to allow His presence to make a deep change in my life. He is allowing me to discover Him in faith and is taking me beyond my comfort zone to the level of the coming of His Kingdom.

Prayer Starter Lord, make me to be docile to Your Holy Spirit so that He can do marvelous deeds in my life!

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you�

Walk in the Spirit Application for obtaining the publication by post.

Name: .....................................................................................................

To be sent to (Address) ..........................................................................

......................................................................................

For six/twelve months from ................. 20 till .............20 Money Order/Cheque for Rs. ............. is sent herewith.

Date: ............... ..................................

Signature

“Walk in the Spirit” Publication

Including postage - For six months Rs. 255/=

For 12 months Rs. 510/= Money Orders/Cheques to be drawn only in favour of “Kithudana Pubuduwa” payable at (Post Office) Walpola (W.P.) Pubudu Headquarters - Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama, Sri Lanka.

Tel. No. 011-2230300, 011-5764123 Fax No. 011-2231490 E-Mail: office@pubuduwa.org Web: www.pubuduwa.org Press: Pubudu Press, 452, National Basilica Avenue, Ragama Tel: 011-5288343/344 Fax :011-2958439 E-Mail: press@pubuduwa.org Distribution: Pubudu Publication & Distribution Service Sri Prasansaramaya, Walpola, Ragama.

Tel: 011-2230300, 011-2231490, 011-5764123 Places from which the Walk in the Spirit publication can be obtained: Kithu Dana Pubuduwa, 7th Floor, Paul VI Centre, Malwatte Road, Colombo 11.

011-2325132 / 011-5736240 Sri Ramyaramaya, Palakudawa, Talawila Church 032-3325688 / 032-5678645 Sri Christudharmaramaya, Deduru Oya, Manuwangama, Chilaw 032-2221979 / 032-5675585 Pubudu Nivasa, Dankotuwa 031-3617917 Pubudu Nivasa, Negombo 031-2222256 / 031-5675763 Christu Centre, Ja-Ela 011-2243301 / 011-5736834 Cost: Rs. 20/=

“O Mary! The power of the Most High shall overshadow you”