Walk in the Spirit November 2020

WALK IN THE SPIRIT November 2020 Issue 345 Commencement March 1992

"O Mary the power of the Most High will overshadow you!"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER November 2020 God loves unconditionally. That means more than a lot. No conditions whatsoever. This love redeems. The gift of the Holy Spirit by Jesus as His first gift to us awakens us to the awareness of this great mind boggling revelation. “I am loved, even when I am not mindful of it or never alerted to it.” Redemption is ours. This is good news to hear. It should be cause for concern that all too often we aren’t alive to this blessing of blessings.

Holy Spirit I acknowledge You. Who am I even to say ”I acknowledge You”.

You are l love’s immensity. My whole being must fall prostrate before you ….

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

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Sunday 1st November 2020 (White) Revelation:7/2-4,9-14 Psalm:23/1-6 (24/1-6) 1 John:3/1-3 Mathew:5/1-12

Introduction Today is the day on which the Holy Mother the Church solemnly celebrates the feast of all saints. Most of the Christian faithful who are both known and unknown to us have inherited the heavenly crown as a result of their heroic witness to Christian Faith. Here, while some faithful gave their witness in offering up their life as well in sacrifice, some others inherited participation in the heavenly kingdom by leading a quiet and hidden life. This group consists of young and old, great and small, priests, religious and the lay faithful.

The heavenly angels who witnessed this faith experience constantly offer up prayers on our behalf since our faith life too is destined to end in joining with these saints in their unending praise to the Almighty God. Hence, today as we commemorate the solemnity of all saints let us enter into prayer pleading with the Lord for the power to hasten towards the heavenly Jerusalem in faith, encouraged by their life example in spite of our vulnerability.

The First Proclamation I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to damage earth and sea, saying, "Do

All Saints

not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads.

And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel. .....

Prayerful Awareness A special characteristic found in the Book of Revelation is, encouraging the faithful under persecution to endure their trials, tribulation and suffering. Even in this passage written in symbolical language, we find that the entire people of God cleansed their lives through the redemptive sacrifice of Christ and that they inherited the heavenly crown going through persecution and martyrdom.

Responsorial Psalm ‌Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. ‌ The Second Proclamation See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.

What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hopes in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Prayerful Awareness St. John with his own experience of the intimate love of God today awakens

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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the community of inheriting divine son-ship through experiencing the love of God. He affirms that the divine sonship we have inherited is not based on our goodness or any other reason, but on the abounding love of God. Also he reveals that when He manifests Himself in time to come, we shall see Him as He really is which means when we live in faith steeped in the inheritance of divine son-ship, we will also be like Christ.

All the saints whom we commemorate today finally entered into this participation. All of us who live in the same hope too should lead a life of purity in thought, word and deed as well as physically, mentally and spiritually.

The Gospel Proclamation When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying, "Blessed are the pure in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Prayerful Awareness

sus. Similarly these statements are a comprehensive presentation of deeply meaningful life patterns. According to the data given, one who is blessed inherits this state as a result of inheriting deep joy in consequence of the response given arising from God's action in him.

Even though this inheritance is not visible to the human eye and is not pertaining to the human mind, the person who enters into the vision of God's Kingdom does also enter into this participation.

The Saints rewarded with the heavenly crown and whom we commemorate today, embodied these statements and lived them out thus witnessing to them fearlessly. Today, let us give thanks and praise to God for their exemplary lives.

Towards our son-ship The feast of all Saints that we commemorate today as promulgated

by Pope Gregory IV in the Ninth Century also speaks to our hearts. These noble men and women considered as saints led an ordinary life just like us.

They were attentive to the word of God amidst suffering and persecution, pain and struggle. They based their lives especially on this particular sermon of the Lord Jesus and lived it out witnessing to it all the same and in consequence they inherited the Kingdom of God. Let us also enter into prayer, pleading with the Lord for the power to live as children of the Kingdom remaining steadfast amid daily struggles, suffering and persecution and lead a life of holiness through which we could receive divine inheritance of being true children of God. Prayer Starter O God, through the intercession of all the Saints who offered up their lives under persecution and slander, equip us also with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to follow their life example. Amen.

We can accept this as one of the principle teachings of the Lord Je"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Monday 2nd November 2020 (Purple) Isaiah:25/6-9 Psalm:23/1-6 Romans:5/5-11 John:6/37-40

The First Proclamation On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of rich food, a feast of wellaged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

The Second Proclamation and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then , now that we have been justified by his blood,

All Souls' Day

will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. The Gospel Proclamation Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away, for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and will raise them up on the last day."

Prayerful Awareness If we let ourselves become weak and flabby, if we allow circumstances to beat us, if we allow ourselves to whine and grovel under affliction, we make ourselves the kind of people who, when the challenge of crisis comes, cannot do anything but despair. If on the other hand, we have insisted on meeting life with our heads held high, if we have always faced and by facing conquered problems; then, when the challenge comes we meet it with eyes alight with hope." (The New Daily Study Bible).

The final proof of God's love is found in the fact that His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, died for us. His love is everlasting. When Adam and Eve sinned they became hostile to God and to put things right God sent His Son. He laid down His life for sinners like us. If we look for Jesus without the cross, we will find only his cross and not Jesus Let us not seek a Christianity made easy, a gospel without tears or an unchallenging Christ.

Prayer Starter Help us to be Your faithful and ardent followers.

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Tuesday 3rd November 2020 (Green or White) Philippians:2/5-11 Psalm:21/26-32 (22/25-31) Luke:14/15-24

The First Proclamation Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Jesus Lord, please, tell us where and what to change in our present mind-set so as to imitate You; make us aware O Holy Spirit of God of the thoughts and desires that govern our being, enabling us to identify those that do not align with those of the Christ...!

Let's play a game: Firstly, assume we have an unskilled, untrained person ready and willing to be trained for a Given Task. Secondly let us identify two types of individuals who are tasked with training this novice. Thirdly, we try to assess which type of individual will perform better at training the novice.

Type 1 is a 'Hands-On' Supervisor who knows the Nitty-Gritty of the Task at hand, and is able, willing and eager to role up the sleeves and get down to the

St. Martin de Porres, Job, Demonstrating the steps to execute, and with imparting the Thinking that has to go with it. Knows the said Task has to be the Bigger Picture, perceives its place in the overall Scheme of things, and provides Perspective and a sense of the Goal to the Trainee.

Type 2 is a 'Hands-Off' Manager.

Characteristics are, whether Knowing or Not the Basics of the Task, this person is unwilling to Soil Hands (self). Yet, demands Task Performance from the subordinate, and is narrowly Focused on getting Results, Commanding and Driving in all manner the trainee there-for.

Since we are not looking at a Skilled, experienced Professional subordinate here, but a trainee, a novice, I'm sure that we all will agree that a Type 1 person will be the better choice for the purpose.

Okay, fine. How does that relate to us in today's scripture?

You and me, we fit in to this role of an unskilled and untrained novice at the Task 'Live our Lives “In The Moment”, experiencing the “Love and Grace of Abba Father”, becoming “Empowered and Divine”, entering in to our role of “Children of God”, bringing about the “Kingdom of God” here on Earth'.

The Living Word, Jesus, is the Model for a Type 1 Enabler/Empower-er.

Even though divine, he becomes one of us, goes through life (the Task) living his life 'In The Moment', experiencing the “Love of Abba” regardless of “Circumstances”, Entering in to his “Beloved Son” Identity fully, and asking us to follow Him and learn from Him. The Challenge is before us to do so. God has raised Jesus up before All Beings.

Prayer Starter Jesus Lord, Come in to us, and mould our inner-most thoughts and desires, make us Your imitators in the truest sense...

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Wednesday 4th November 2020 (White) Philippians:2/12-18 Psalm:26/1,4,13-14 (27/1-4,13-14) Luke:14/25-33

The First Proclamation Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. .....

The Gospel Proclamation Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give

St. Charles Borromeo Bishop

up all your possessions.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus in no uncertain terms, tells that following Christ is costly, but in the long run, it is well worth the pain and effort.

There are at least three conditions that must be met by people who want to follow Jesus - be willing to deny self, parents, brothers, sisters, safety and comfort. We must also take up our crosses and follow Jesus.

Jesus' audience was well aware of what it meant to carry one's own cross.

When the Romans led a criminal to his execution site, he was forced to carry the cross on which he would die. This showed his submission to Rome and warned observers that they had better submit too. Jesus spoke this teaching to get the crowds to think through their enthusiasm for Him. He encouraged those who were superficial either to accept or turn back. Following Christ means TOTAL SUBMISSION to Him. When a builder does not count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may be left HALF COMPLETED. Let us consider, will our Christian life be only half built and then abandoned because we did not count the cost of commitment to Jesus? What are those costs? Christians may face loss of social status or wealth. They may have to give up control over their money, their time or their career. They may be hated, separated from their families and even put to death. Following Christ does not mean a trouble-free life. We MUST carefully count the cost of becoming Christ's disciples so that we will know what we are getting into and would not be tempted to turn back.

Prayer Starter Merciful Lord help us to give up EVERYTHING and become true disciples of Jesus, even in the face of death.

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Thursday 5th November 2020 Philippians:3/3-8 Psalm:104/2-7 (105/2-7) Luke:15/1-10

The First Proclamation It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus.

We do not put any trust in external ceremonies. I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way. I was circumcised when I was a week old.

I am an Israelite by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure-blooded Hebrew.

As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee, and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church.

As far as a person can be righteous by obeying the commands of the Law, I was without fault. But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake. Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ

The Gospel Proclamation

One day when many tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling, "This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!" So Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred

(Green) sheep and loses one of them - what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one that got lost until you find it.

When you find it, you are so happy that you put it on your shoulders and carry it back home. Then you call your friends and neighbors together and say to them, "I am so happy I found my lost sheep.

Let us celebrate!" In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety- nine respectable people who do not need to repent. "Or suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them - what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and looks carefully everywhere until she finds it. When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, and says to them, "I am so happy I found the coin I lost. Let us celebrate!" In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents."

Prayerful Awareness

These two parables describe the very nature of God. God the Shepherd of souls, searches, waits patiently and is joyous when we return to him. Men may give up hope of a sinner; not so God. God loves those who never stray away; but in his heart there is the joy of joys when a lost one is found and comes home. This teaches us a lesson that is not to cast aside those who have strayed but to constantly keep them in our prayers till they come to accept the saving grace and mercy of God.

Prayer Starter

Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.

(Ps.105/2-4)

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Friday 6th November 2020

(Green)

Philippians:3/17-4/1 Psalm:121/1-5 (122/1-5) Luke:16/1-8

The Gospel Proclamation And he said also to his disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him, and said to him: What is it that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer." Then the manager said to himself, What will I do, now that my manager is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes. So, summoning his manager's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master': He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.''' .....

Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, where the central theme is the difference in the behavior between those who are led by the Holy Spirit and those who are not. In today’s Gospel Proclamation the Lord is lamenting that children of darkness and evil show much cleverness and ingenuity towards achieving their goals far more than the children of light. The goal for us, as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, is to attract more and more people to be followers of Christ in order that they be saved from their dark and evil ways (which will lead them

to eternal suffering). In Luke 16:13-15, Jesus says, "No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money." And in Luke 16:9 He advocates using worldly wealth as a means of winning over souls, rather than hoarding it and earning eternal damnation. "And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.’

Let us beseech the Holy Spirit to give us the necessary discernment how we should use our resources, as children of light, towards the furtherance of God’s Kingdom!

The First Proclamation Be ye followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping), that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction; whose God is their belly; and whose glory is in their shame; who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory, according to the operation whereby also he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown; so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Song of Praise I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2) Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Saturday 7th November 2020 (Green or White) Philippians:4/10-19 Psalm:111/1-2,5-6,8-9 (112/1-2,5-6,8-9) Luke:16/9-15

The First Proclamation I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me, indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. .... I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.......

Prayerful Awareness St. Paul rejoicing in the Lord expresses his feelings and experiences for the community of Philippians. He instructs and advises them by saying, "I have learned to manage with what I have. I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty. I am trained for both; to be hungry or satisfied..." Also, he says whatever the position he is in, he will serve the Lord gladly. Doesn't what St. Paul say enlighten and empower us?

The Gospel Proclamation And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what

belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Prayerful Awareness Jesus in today's Gospel reading teaches His disciples a great truth which should be practiced by all in life's journey. It is about the priorities and accordingly God's priorities are different to those of the world. It is important that we be honest with ourselves in our dealings with wealth. If we prove our honesty in small things, great things will be entrusted to us. If we are dishonest in small matters, we would be dishonest in greater matters as well. It is important that our generosity with material goods should match our spiritual generosity.

Therefore prudence is necessary in using our wealth because wealth can lead to dishonesty. The right use of money will help us to avoid love of money which is the root of much evil. Money is something that people acquire and lose, it does not make anyone great. Money should be used as a means of love and service and never as a means to dominate others.

Where do we stand? Jesus tells us to make friends, either in the world or in the Body of Christ so that we may rely on one another and come to one another when we are in need. What master do we actually serve - God or the world? Does our small world and its members serve God and God's Kingdom of justice for all where there are no poor among us because we are trustworthy and obedient to God's word.

Prayer Starter Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. (Ps:112/1-2)

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Sunday 8th November 2020 (Green)

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time PS Wk IV

Wisdom:6/12-16 Psalm:62/2-8 (63/1-7) 1 Thessa:4/13-18 (OR 13-14) Mathew:25/1-13

have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. To fix one's thoughts on her is perfect understanding and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.

Prayerful Awareness

Introduction

The Book of Wisdom written around the First A.D. was compiled for the purpose of affirming faith and piety of the people of God drawn to Greek Culture and civilization. Here the author points out that the people of God could boldly confront the eternal problem of sin and suffering only with faith in God and in keeping to the traditions handed down by their ancestors. The man of fleeting thoughts and wishes, of changing hopes and attitudes, finds it difficult to discern what is correct on earth. Only the Wisdom of God would teach him what the Desire and the Will of God is. Whosoever seeks the Wisdom of God will be gifted with God's Wisdom through the Spirit. Let us pause for a moment to reflect whether we open access to the Wisdom of God, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to work in us.

The Second Proclamation

The Christian called to be in the world but not of the world will be convinced of inheriting eternal life that does not end with his earthly journey to the extent that he allows himself to be gripped by the Wisdom of God. This is the teaching of the Holy Mother the Church presented to us through the Eucharistic Theme of the day: "With real wisdom let us prepare ourselves to arrive at our destination at the end of our earthly life." "Wisdom is found by those who look for her. She herself walks about looking for those who are worthy of her"; reminds the first proclamation. In the same vein, St. Paul also says, if we are to inherit an eternal life that does end with death we should live a life of steadfast faith in our Lord.

The Gospel proclamation of the day reminds us that we should be alert and ready to enter the Kingdom of God. Our duty as Christians is to live out our divine son-ship in bearing witness. Let us labour to inherit eternal life by staying awake to the unfolding of the wisdom of God in our daily life and pray for the power to do so.

The First Proclamation Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.

One who rises early to seek her will

But we do not want to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Prayerful Awareness St. Paul with his encounter with Jesus Christ who overcame death and rose again, encourages the Thessalonian community requesting them not to grieve for the dead like the other people who have no hope but to lead a life of faith. Pointing out that the Christian should have before his eyes the ultimate goal of inheriting eternal life in time to come and reminds that God will bring with him those who have died with faith in Jesus. Thus he extends an invitation to live a life of faith.

The Gospel Proclamation "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.''

Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you." Keep awake therefore, for you do know

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neither the day nor the hour."

Prayerful Awareness The narrative of the ten bridesmaids presents the need to be awake and alert in readiness. This is one of the most beautiful parables regarding the Kingdom of God as well as being heart awakening. Jesus Christ who was awake and attentive to the voice of God is also a great arouser, a quality most obvious in His life.

Many events such as entering into prayer well before dawn, praying in solitude, reaching a mountain top for prayer, being engaged in prayer from dusk to dawn, before choosing the disciples and performing miracles clearly manifest the heart of the Lord in constant awareness and in tune with the voice of God. Every moment of opening ourselves to the word of God's wisdom channelled through day to day events is really a moment of encounter with the Lord. Just as the wise virgins were not only awake but also were ever ready for the arrival of the Lord, let us also long to stay awake in readiness.

Towards us Wisdom, a priceless gift from God is a guiding light incomprehensible to human thought and intelligence.

The person awake to the Word of God revealed through daily events equips himself with the wisdom of God. Do you experience the wisdom of God in your life? Similarly, how much awake are you to a life of faith and hope as a Christian called to experience the great good news of Jesus Christ risen from the dead? Let us reflect.

Prayer Starter He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Ps.62/6-8)

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Monday 9th November 2020 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (White) consume me." The Jews then said to Ezekiel:47/1-2,8-9,12 him, "What sign can you show us for OR doing this?" Jesus answered them, 1 Corinthians:3/9-11, "Destroy this temple, and in three 16-17 days I will raise it up." The Jews then Psalm:45/2-3,5-6,8-9 said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and (46/2-3,5-6,8-9) will you raise it up in three days?"

John:2/13-22 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The First Proclamation Prayerful Awareness What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you Today the Church celebrates the came to believe as the Lord assigned feast of the Dedication of the Lateran to each. I planted, Apollos watered, Basilica, Mother and Head of all the but God gave the growth. So neither churches in the city of Rome and of the one who plants nor the one who the world. For many centuries the Latwaters is anything, but only God eran Basilica served as the seat of the who gives the growth. The one who Pope. Five Ecumenical Councils were plants and the one who waters have held there. This is a feast of Our Lord a common purpose, and each will and has precedence over an ordinary receive wages according to the labor Sunday of the year. Through His miracof each. For we are God's servants, ulous works on behalf of the sick, mute, working together, you are God's blind, deaf, lepers, including the dead field, God's building. raised to life, He reveals Himself. The message He reveals to us is that these The Gospel Proclamation acts should be understood as more than The Passover of the Jews was simple acts of bodily healing. The salnear, and Jesus went up to Jerusa- vation brought by Him is a deeper and lem. In the temple he found people radical one. His aim is not to condemn selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the world but to save it, to save the lost the money changers seated at their due to sin. "Every church is a sign of tables. Making a whip of cords, he God in whom we live and move and drove all of them out of the temple, have our being" (Acts 17/28). God as both the sheep and the cattle. He Creator and Father produces the unity also poured out the coins of the of the whole creation. We proclaim here money changers and overturned that Christ has overcome the alienation their tables. He told those who between God and man, between man were selling the doves, "Take these and man. things out of here! Stop making my Prayer Starter Father's house a marketplace!" His disciples remembered that it was Help us to be aware of God's Spirit written, "Zeal for your house will dwelling in us. Amen.

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Tuesday 10th November 2020 St. Leo the Great, Pope & Doctor (White) choices, but are called to get back in to Titus:2/1-8,11-14 our inheritance, and for this reversion Psalm:36/3-4,18-23, – this drawing back unto yourself, you 27, 29 gave us your own Son. He has revealed (37/3-4,18,23,26,27,29) what it takes to journey back, the 'Metanoia' required to possess what is lost.

Luke:17/7-10

The First Proclamation It is for you, then, to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. Older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and perseverance. Similarly, older women should behave as befits religious people, with no scandal-mongering and no addiction to wine -- they must be the teachers of right behaviour and show younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they must be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and obey their husbands, so that the message of God is not disgraced. Similarly, urge younger men to be moderate in everything that they do, and you yourself set an example of good works, by sincerity and earnestness, when you are teaching, and by a message sound and irreproachable so that any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us.... You see, …. we must be self-restrained and live upright and religious lives in this present world, waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus....

Fix your gaze on Jesus Lord, this is your creation; your Word brought us in to being, and your breath animated us; We are your creatures; you have a destiny for us, a purpose for us to fulfill, a role to play in your creation. We were endowed with the gift of free will, and have fallen as a result of our wrong

In the Letter to Titus, St. Paul elaborates in some detail the characteristics of the faithful that will be manifest once this 'Change of Heart' takes effect. The community established by St. Paul in Crete left in the stewardship of St. Titus is tasked with evolving the members back to the state of this 'Original Grace'. To enter in to the truth that, God's grace has been revealed to save the whole human race; it has taught us that we should give up everything contrary to true religion and all our worldly passions...

Our choices from moment to moment have to 'keep us' in the 'love of God', and empower us to reflect the 'Love of God' to our brethren and God's creation.

The 'Relationship' we have with God, our Brethren and the Creation has to be 'Active and Vibrant'. Unfortunately, since we were fallen, there is a gap – schism – disconnect in our relationship; so much so that even within ourselves, we are 'Broken'. Jesus offered Himself for us in order to ransom us from all our faults and to purify a people to be His very own and eager to do good. Let us echo this Truth within ourselves today...

Prayer Starter Let us be mindful that we are mere creatures of the Creator, doing the 'Work of the Creator', in His wonderful and benevolent Creation. As the Gospel says, "We are useless servants: we have done no more than our duty." We have to embrace the Truth that 'I am NOT the Center of the Universe', and that yet, I have a Very Important role to play in bringing about “God's Kingdom”. O Blessed Mother, intercede for us to be “Full of Grace” and to become dressed in to our role...

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Wednesday 11th November 2020 (White) Titus: 3/1-7 Psalm:22/1-6 (23/1-6) Luke:17/11-19

The First Proclamation Please read Titus 3/1-7 prayerfully.

Prayerful Awareness Today's first proclamation depicts how the goodness and love of God overflow towards all humankind. Once we have been living full of misconduct, committing various kinds of sin, but out of His mercy, God forgives and receives us by the water of rebirth and the Holy Spirit poured over us through Christ our Saviour, for a complete transformation.

Let us offer thanks for this infinite grace and to all those who are instruments in conveying this Good News.

The Gospel Proclamation On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him.

Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" |When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean. But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

St. Martin of Tours Prayerful Awareness The Gospel proclamation of today highlights a perfect example of gratitude expressed by one of the lepers who got cured by Christ Jesus in response to the kindness and goodness shown to him.

Gratitude is a great gift of God given to us freely. It is said that only the thankful are truly happy. The founder of 'Global Gratefulness', Brother David, writes that the root of joy is gratefulness. It is not joy that makes us grateful, it is gratitude that makes us joyful.

Jesus Christ came down to this earth to proclaim the Good News and establish the Kingdom of God. In order to do this, He released all sorts of enslavements and freed the people who came to Him, also the ones whom He went in search of.

At this particular He heard some lepers calling Him, "Have pity on us" and in response Jesus said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." But only one leper returned to thank and Jesus said, "Your faith has saved you." The Samaritan leper not only received healing but also dignity. Also, he entered into a personal relationship with Jesus through his act of thanksgiving.

Our sonship What is my personal contact with Jesus, considering the countless blessings I have received? Can I recall with thankfulness every good thing that happens during each day? Can I dwell in gratitude before God for the many gifts He has bestowed upon me? Jesus responds to my prayer in a way that is best suited for me. But how often do I forget to say 'Thank You'?

Prayer Starter Jesus, let me never take Your gifts for granted. Your gentle touch can warm me and heal me and make me whole. You will never abandon me. Jesus help me to give thanks to You and honour Your Holy Name.

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Thursday 12th November 2020 (Red) Philemon:7-20 Psalm:145/6-10 (146/7-10) Luke:17/20-25

The First Proclamation I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.

Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother - especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. ....

Prayerful Awareness (Taken from Pope Francis' Morning Meditation in the Vatican on 13/11/2014). As seen in the day’s

St. Josephat, Bishop & Martyr Reading from the Gospel of Luke (17:20-25), they ask him: “when is the kingdom of God coming?”. To this question, Jesus responds quickly and clearly: "the kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you’” …… Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is “always in silence, but also in struggle”, explaining further that “the Kingdom of God, will grow like wheat, not surrounded by things of beauty but in the midst of weeds”. But, Francis indicated, the Kingdom is there, it doesn’t attract attention, it is silent, quiet. In other words, the Pope said, “the Kingdom of God is not a spectacle”. So often, “the spectacle is a caricature of the Kingdom of God”. Indeed, we must never “forget that it was in one of the three temptations”: in the desert, Jesus was told: “go to the pinnacle of the temple and throw yourself down, and everyone will believe. Make a spectacle”. However, “the Kingdom of God is silent, it grows within; the Holy Spirit makes it grow with our willingness, in our soil, which we must prepare”. But it “grows slowly, silently”……..

Our Sonship As we saw in today’s reflection the Kingdom of God is not a spectacle. It is our silent lives in faith guided by the Holy Spirit. It is our inward lives of prayer and sacrifice, that gives us the experience of the Kingdom of God. As in the first reading, we must willingly answer God’s calling and act voluntarily towards the Kingdom of God. Prayer Starter Dear Lord, grant us this grace of caring for the Kingdom of God that is within us and in the midst of us in our communities: caring with prayer, adoration, service in charity, silently”.

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Friday 13th November 2020 (Green) 2 John:4-9 Psalm:118/1-2, 10-11 17-18 (119/1-2,10-11,17-18) Luke:17/26-37

The First Proclamation .... let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning - you must walk in it.

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Be on your guard so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.

Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. The Gospel Proclamation And as it came to pass in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat and drink, they married wives, and were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark: and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it came to pass, in the days of Lot: they did eat and drink, they bought and sold, they planted and built. And in the day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man shall be revealed. In that hour, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down

to take them away: and he that shall be in the field, in like manner, let him not return back. .... Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose it, shall preserve it. ... Wheresoever the body shall be, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.

Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, where the underlying theme is the different outcomes between those who are led by God’s Holy Spirit, and those who are not, and the scriptures exhort us to be ever vigilant and be ever prepared so that we may receive the full reward when we are to meet the Lord face to face, either at our passing away from this world, or at the so called rapture, or at the judgement at His Second Coming, whichever comes first in our lives!

To be prepared in this manner means to be constantly filled and led by the Holy Spirit that emanates from the Father and the Son. This is the Spirit of Love, that encompasses all things.

We know we become saved when we hear the Good News and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, and thus set off on a journey with the Holy Spirit, whereby our lives become transformed to be more and more like Jesus!

Responsorial Psalm Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart. With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.

Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words. Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.

Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Saturday 14th November 2020 (Green or White) 3 John 5-8 Psalm:111/1-6 (112/1-6) Luke:18/1-8

Gospel Proclamation Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Prayerful Awareness Jesus told a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart.

He explained how even a dishonest, non-God fearing judge who did not bother to do justice to a widow (person of no importance in the Jewish society of that time), finally obliged to do her justice due to her continuous call on him.

Using this parable Jesus explained that, if a dishonest judge answered a widow due to her continuous call on him, will not God answer the continuous call of

prayer. This is because God loves and has mercy for the ones whom He created as His own, even if they deviate from Him and live in sin, as He wants to save every one of them. The parable of the “Prodigal Son” explains this, how the father due to his great love and mercy, eagerly waited for the return of his son who went away from him taking all his wealth and wasted it living a sinful life.

Jesus calls everyone to be in continuous prayer to God the Father without losing heart till it is the right time and right spiritual maturity of that person to receive justice. Jesus also said "will not God secure the rights of his chosen ones, chosen to receive the Salvation prepared for them?" The question is, will all of them follow the path of salvation through Jesus Christ, accepting Him as their Saviour and Lord?. Jesus also asked the question about faith. How much do we believe and Trust God, the One who loves us so much, the One who gave us His only Son (Jesus Christ) to die and save us. Everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life (John 3:16). How much do we trust Him and know and believe that He cares for us so much and wants to save us and fulfill all the promises given to us in His Word (the Bible). Let us get to know Him better, trust and believe Him and build up a close relationship with Him as our Loving and Caring Father.

In the First Reading – St. John in His third letter speaks to the faithful and points out, that we must be faithful in all we do and also extend our hospitality to other brothers and sisters of faith, even when they are strangers.

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, help us to spread the Word of Salvation granted to us through Your Passion, Death and Resurrection and also be able to help missionaries who work to spread this Good News, Amen.

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Sunday 15th November 2020 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Green) PS Wk I praise her in the city gates.

Proverbs:31/10-13, Prayerful Awareness 19-20, 30-31 Psalm:127/1-5 Here, the author points out that a (128/-1-5) perfect wife is far beyond the price of pearls wherein he equates her to the 1 Thessalonians:5/1-6 Lady Wisdom. The woman filled with Mathew:25/14-30 OR wisdom is virtuous, efficient and rich.

14-15, 19-21 Yet, she works untiringly. The virtuous

Introduction

wife in Hebrew is called 'Hiel'; which means 'being efficient'. Similarly, 'she sets her hand to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle'; denotes a house wife being engaged in spinning and weaving.

Here the distaff is a thread holder - a stick that was used for holding wool when it was spun by hand, whereas, the spindle is a thin pointed rod used for spinning wool into thread by hand. She helps the household as well as the society and especially holds out her hand to the poor.

'Mother' or 'wife'; is a character having a great impact on society. She should be an example to her home as well as to the country and give correct guidance.

She who fears God is good news to the world and an aid for others in fulfilling the Will of God. The Second Proclamation

God Himself calls us to give Him praise and glory and it is a calling for a life of communion. If so, let us prepare ourselves to accomplish His Will according to the needs of the times. Also, let us experience the gifts and fruits that the Holy Spirit shares with us. Let us be awakened and dedicate ourselves individually, as a parish and as a family so as not to keep the gifts thus shared simply for our benefit but to spend them for the development of the community, turn out to be servants and handmaids of the Lord who fills the desire and the Will of the Lord, in wholehearted readiness for the Second Coming of Christ and Now concerning the times and the enter into prayer pleading for the much seasons, brothers and sisters, you do needed power. not need to have anything written to The First Proclamation you. For you yourselves know very A capable wife who can find? She well that the day of the Lord will come is far more precious than jewels. The like a thief in the night. When they heart of her husband trusts in her, and say, "There is peace and security," he will have no lack of gain. She does then sudden destruction will come him good, and not harm, all the days upon them, as labor pains come upon of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape. But you, beloved, are not in works with willing hands. darkness, for that day to surprise you She puts her hands to the distaff, like a thief, for you are all children of and her hands hold the spindle. She light and children of the day; we are opens her hand to the poor, and reachnot of the night or of darkness. So then es out her hands to the needy. let us not fall asleep as others do, but Charm is deceitful, and beauty is let us keep awake and be sober, vain, but a woman who fears the Lord Prayerful Awareness is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works St. Paul speaking of the Lord's Day, "O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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exhorts the community to stay awake in readiness. The day of the Lord is the day of the Last Judgment with the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. Even the Old Testament mentions of the Lord's Day: 'Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near' (Joel 1:15). This implies God being manifested and in the New Testament it refers to the Second Coming of Christ. For which reason, St. Paul calls the community to work for the Kingdom of God engaged in prayer and proclaiming the Good News. Therefore, as servants and handmaids of Christ, let us lead a life worthy of our vocation and enter into prayer asking for necessary help from God. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia! Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia!

The Gospel Proclamation "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them, to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them and made five more, the one who had the two made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying 'Master, you handed over to me five talents, see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'‌.(Please read the whole proclamation.)

Prayerful Awareness Through the above parable the Lord

speaks of the gifts and fruits of the Spirit bestowed on us. God has freely distributed among us the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

According to the parable the First and the Second had made more out of what was given while the Third kept hidden which resulted in receiving punishment instead of praise.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to us freely. Through the Holy Spirit we receive gifts and fruits from God not simply to keep them for ourselves, as they are in our possession, but to multiply and use them for the salvation and forgiveness of many, to win the Kingdom of God for others, to save souls. Therefore, let us be awakened to share the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit with the society and with the parish family.

Towards my son-ship Covid 19 is a turning point for the simple reason that irrespective of being young or old, poor or rich, party vice versa, all fall victims to the disease.

Many faced death and it is not yet over.

Most of them were buried in common graves while some were cremated. When will death come to us? How? When and where? We do not know. Yet, we have to be ready and awake. In short, even at this moment we should be ready. The month of commemorating the departed is slowly passing away and the Christmas season at the threshold during which we are reminded to wait in expectation of our Lord's Second Coming. Therefore, let us convert ourselves and repent and welcome Jesus into our hearts. It is the day of the Lord. Till that day dawns on us let us spend our gifts and talents for the spread of the Kingdom of God pleading with the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Prayer Starter Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for he gives sleep to his beloved. (Ps.127/1.2....)

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Monday 16th November 2020 (Green or White) Revelation:1/1-4;2/1-5 Psalm:1/1-4, 6 Luke:18/35-43

The First Proclamation The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia; Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false.....

The Gospel Proclamation

St. Margaret of Scotland Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you" And immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. Prayerful Awareness Sheer persistence of the blind man stands out in this scene. Though he did not have physical sight, he had spiritual sight. He had faith. There is a common form of blindness almost all of us have to see only what we want to see and disregard the rest. Some are colour blind i.e. they have some dark areas in their life. Some pretend they can see but actually are totally or partially blind.

Prejudice prevents us from seeing the whole, i.e. see only the external - the clothes, labels. The person wearing the clothes is not seen - attention is focused on the wrapping and not on the gift.

Selfishness blinds one to the needs of others. Attention is almost fully focused on one's self, the little world one is in. Lack of consideration for others blinds us. Superiority complex makes one look down on others. A certain attitude of mind and heart or openness is necessary to see properly. On seeing, the earthquake and everything else that happened when Jesus died on the cross, the centurion declared, "He really is the Son of God" (Mathew 27:54). He was open to the truth.

Prayer Starter

As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is Let us aim at nothing but the truth. passing by. Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Amen.

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Tuesday 17th November 2020 (White)

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

Revelation:3/1-6,14-22 Psalm:14/2-5 (15/1-5) Luke:19/1-10

The Gospel Proclamation He entered Jericho and was going through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.' So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.

All who saw it began to grumble and said 'He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner. Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, 'Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham, For the Son of Man has come to seek out and save the lost."

Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You Lord for giving what we really want deep down, in overflowing measure....

Zacchaeus clearly was a person who searched for peace and contentment deep down (same as us). His situation in life as a senior tax collector required for him to be aligned with the oppressors of the society of that time. In most probability, he was himself using his station in life to add to the oppression

by cheating/extorting on the amounts of tax to collect. Humanities fallen nature generally means that positions of power over fellow beings are exploited for personal gain. He became rich in terms of worldly concerns, but clearly was experiencing dissatisfaction despite worldly blessings, and was experiencing rejection from his brethren. His short stature too added to his miseries. So, he had probably come to the realisation that worldly abundance (kneeling before the world) does not translate to feelings of joy and peace, of self-worth. And was searching for a solution to his discontent.

The recognition by Jesus - the person everyone was jostling by the roadside to see and experience, and acceptance as a worthy fellow-being (being chosen for having a meal with) thus was the tipping point for Zacchaeus to let go of the predominant thought patterns he had been choosing/associating with for so long in life. After-all, those thoughts he had been choosing (sowing) had been giving him bitter results (reaping)!

Jesus, during the course of having dinner gave him the correct (pleasing to the Lord) thoughts to go for, the right path to travel, thus freeing Zacchaeus, enabling him to let go of his attachments to the worldly things accumulated. Thus was he saved!

Now the challenge before us too is to become aware of what we 'sow' for ourselves by the harvest we gather, allowing us to change and improve the thoughts/ desires/ expectations/ goals/ orientations we're become used to. Shall we proceed?

Prayer Starter Thank You Lord, for You bring before us the results of our choices.... help us to become aware of what we do to ourselves, enabling us to turn anew, returning us to experience your completing overshadowing love in this eternal moment, as did our Blessed Mother..

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Wednesday 18th November 2020 Dedication of the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul

(Green or White) Revelation:4/1-11 righteousness, and all the nations see his glory”. Thus, the whole creation is called Psalm:150/1-6 to bow down before the Lord because Luke:19/11-28 Jesus is the authority over all things. God OR created the universe through the word Acts:28/11-16,30-31 who later became man. Therefore, when Jesus shows authority over the storm, the Psalm:97/1-6 disciples recognize Jesus as the Son of (98/1-6) God and were compelled to worship Him. Mathew:14/22-33 Our sonship

Gospel Proclamation Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, .... After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it. Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It's a ghost!” they said and screamed with fear. Jesus spoke to them at once.

“Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!” Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.” “Come!” answered Jesus. So, Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water.

“Save me, Lord!” he cried. At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?” They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Gaze at Jesus' Sonship In the Psalm today, the Psalmist declare “The heavens proclaim his

Similarly, in the Acts, St Paul was taken as Prisoner to Rome. When the ship he traveled reached Rome, he met with the believers with whom he could stay.

Although he was a Prisoner at this stage, when he meets other fellow believers, he is led to thank God. When in Rome he also meets the Jewish authorities to explain the circumstances in which he came to Rome. During this time, he takes the opportunity to talk about the Kingdom of God and Jesus. The scripture describes, he spoke with boldness and freedom.

When we go through storms of life, Lord is there waiting to help us and steer us out of the storms. We too need to be bold and free during the storms of our life, because Jesus is the authority and Lord of our life. Hence, the Church, continuously calls us to return and repent.

This is the Good News Peter and Paul preached. They dedicated their lives to tell the people that Jesus alive. Risen Lord continues manifest himself in our midst and a part of our lives.

Prayer Starter The Lord is king! Earth, be glad!

Rejoice, you islands of the seas!

Clouds and darkness surround him; he rules with righteousness and justice.

Fire goes in front of him and burns up his enemies round him. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees it and trembles. The hills melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the nations see his glory.

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Thursday 19th November 2020 (Green) Revelation:5/1-10 Psalm:149/1-6,9 Luke:19/41-44

Gospel Proclamation As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. Prayerful Awareness Jesus sheds tears because He loves His homeland, His people, Jerusalem the capital city of His land, and the temple. Everything will be destroyed because of the fault of the people who were not aware of the call made

by God through His ministry. People were not aware of the way to peace.

In fact, it is hidden from their eyes.

This affirmation recalls the criticism of Isaiah (Is. 44: 9-20) to the persons who adored idols that are made by human hands. What can those idols do to save them? The prophet Isaiah’s concern was God’s own. God cares for the well-being of Israel and of the entire world. Therefore, God fervently wills that His people do not squander their religious energies by praying and worshiping idols/gods that cannot

save. Jesus saw this and gave a warning predicting that Jerusalem, the pride of the Jews, will be destroyed by enemies.

Where are we today? Aren’t we also following the same path giving our first place to pride, positions, wealth, men and man-made idols? It is time for such people to repent and change to worship only one God, our Ever Loving Father, giving Him the first place in everything in our lives and follow His Word, His great Love for us and all His promises given to us in His Word and the Salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ‘s Passion, Death and Resurrection .

First Reading Revelation 5:1-10 St. John, saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. Then he saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to examine it. He shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it. One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.

Prayer Starter God, our Father of everlasting Goodness, our Origin and Guide, be close to us and hear the prayers of all who praise You. Forgive our sins and restore us to life. Keep us safe in Your love and raise us to serve You and purify us to receive Salvation. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Friday 20th November 2020 (Green) Revelation:10/8-11 Psalm:118/14,24,72,103 111,131 (119/14,24,72,103,111, 131) Luke:19/45-48

The First Proclamation Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me.

"Take it, and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth." So I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it; it was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.

Then they said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and languages and kings."

The Gospel Proclamation Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there, and he said, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers."

Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

Prayerful Awareness ".... but they could not find a way to carny this out because the people hung on his words".

The Gospel proclamation presents the mission of our Lord in the Temple.

His gesture had a prophetic significance.

The great purpose of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is to enter the Temple. The prophecy of Malachi is fulfilled with Jesus' entrance "and suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to His temple ...." Jesus' gesture of driving out the sellers recalls Isaiah 56:7, which says, "My house will be a house of prayer".

Jesus returns the temple to the Father.

Jesus demands a complete change in order to purify the Temple from all these negative human actions and to make it a place for authentic service to God. The intention of Jesus goes beyond the purity of the cult. It is more radical and timeless. The temple is not a work done by human effort and the presence of God is not bound to its material aspect.

The basis of the future mission of the Church, the proclamation of the Word of God, begins in this place.

Towards our sonship Is your prayer to the Lord a simple relationship of Father to son in which you find all that is needed to communicate with God or is it accompanied by usage of practices to gain His goodness?

When you listen to the Word of God, do you feel seized by His teaching like the crowds who hung on His words? Are you sufficiently attentive to listen to the Gospel and do you adhere to Christ?

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

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

(Ps.119/72, 103)

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Saturday 21st November 2020 (White) Zechariah:2/14-17 Psalm:Luke:1/46-55 Mathew:12/46-50

The First Proclamation So the angel who talked with me said to me, Proclaim this message; Thus says the Lord of hosts, I am very jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. And I am extremely angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they made the disaster worse. Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.

Proclaim further; Thus says the Lord of hosts; My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.

The Gospel Proclamation While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, waiting 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 Jesus was not denying His respon-

sibility to His earthly family when He said "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" 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, sister and mother.

Jesus criticized the religious leaders for not following the Old Testament commandment to honour their parents.

He provided for His mother's security as He hung on the cross (John 19/2527). Even while DYING on the cross, Jesus was concerned, so He instructed John to care for Mary, His mother. Our families are precious gifts from God and we should VALUE and CARE for them under all circumstances. Neither Christian work nor key responsibilities in any job or position excuses us from caring for our families.

Jesus asked His close FRIEND John to care for His Mother Mary, whose husband Joseph must have been dead by this time. As the oldest son Jesus entrusted His mother to a person who stayed with Him at the cross and that was John.

Jesus' Mother and brothers were present in the Upper Room at Pentecost. They all joined together constantly in prayer along with Mary the Mother of Jesus. Jesus was pointing out that SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIPS are as binding as PHYSICAL ONES and He was paving the way for a new community of believers (THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH) our SPIRITUAL FAMILY. Prayer Starter Loving Father in Heaven,. help us to know Jesus' word intimately, that all may live in the way You desire. Help us to do the Will of God throughout our life.

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Sunday 22nd November 2020 34th Sunday of Ordinary Time (White) Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe Ezekiel:34/11-12,15-17 Psalm:22/1-3,5-6 (23/1-3, 5-6) 1 Corinthians:15/20-26, 28 Mathew:25/31-46

Introduction Holy Mother the Church celebrating the Feast of Christ the King today, on the last Sunday of the Catholic Liturgical, reminds us of the fact that He is the King, the Ruler over our lives and of the entire universe and is also the true Shepherd. Christ our Lord, the Second Person of the Trinity in obedience to the Will of the Abba Father with His life sacrifice on the cross won for us eternal salvation through which He is raised high above all kings and rulers on this earth, thus holding a unique kingship.

Therefore, invoking the gifts of the Holy Spirit to entrust ourselves, our families and our communities to the authority of His Kingship and to live accordingly, let us enter into prayer.

The First Proclamation For thus says the Lord God; I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will

strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

Prayerful Awareness This revelation from the Almighty God as given to Ezekiel regarding the Israelites clearly unfolds His overflowing unconditional love, pointing out that He is not the ruler over His people but the true shepherd who loves them dearly.

He who says, "I shall keep my sheep in view, I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness" stands close to his flock lost with overwhelming problems, difficulties and hardships not knowing what to do and where to go - ever ready to mend their broken hearts and bind their wounds. In His divine providence He shows forth to the people that He is ever loving and sensitive to their needs, pain and isolation. Thus we are blessed with the ability to proclaim wholeheartedly that the Almighty God is our Abba Father, Abba Mother.

The Gospel Proclamation "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from the goats and He will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; ‌. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who

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are members of my family, you did it to me.

Prayerful Awareness The Kingship of Christ is depicted proclaiming that when the Son of Man comes in His majesty, escorted by all His angels, then He will take His seat on His throne of glory. He who is our true Shepherd is the King of the Universe. He is a challenge to the world leaders among us, those who rule over the people as kings and also to all of us who are Christians since He does manifest Himself as present in all who are helpless, alone and in pain - suffering in hunger and thirst. If we join ourselves with any of the above it is Christ we join with. He is also present in whom we consider the least. Thus, the Lord who is dwelling with us is the true Shepherd and the only King.

The Second Proclamation But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order; Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

When all things are subjected to him,. then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.

Prayerful Awareness St. Paul who presents a great revelation through the guidance of the Holy Spirit is a person with a risen-Lord encounter. This encounter not only effected a radical life transformation in

him but also made him enter a deep life relationship with Christ that resulted in witnessing to the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. Thus, acknowledging Him as the only Savior, Lord and King he entrusted his life totally to His authority. This experience equipped him with the desire and expectation that the entire Universe should be subjected to His dominion and power. St. Paul envisions Christ being the true Shepherd totally accomplishing the vocation received from God, establishing the whole of the Universe under the rule of the Father. Therefore, let us also awaken ourselves to our calling, thirst for a daily encounter with Christ, the true Shepherd and entrust ourselves to His divine authority acknowledging Him as our Lord and Saviour.

Towards our son-ship Proclamations of the day reveal the immense love of the Almighty God to His flock. God presented Himself as our shepherd by sacrificing His only begotten Son for His people wounded and lost through sin. Christ too, emptying His divinity and majesty offered Himself in sacrifice for us, to accomplish the Will of the Abba Father and is our Lord and Saviour. His invitation for all of us as well is to be true shepherds in loving others as He did and also to live in conformity with the Will of God acknowledging Him as our only Lord and Master and entrusting ourselves to His dominion. Therefore, let us enter into prayer pleading with God to empower us with the ability to do so.

Prayer Starter The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows....

(Ps.23/1-3, 5...)

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Monday 23rd November 2020 St. Clement I, Pope & Martyr St. Columban, Abbot (Green or Red or White) was observing how the people made Revelation:14/1-3,4,5 offerings to the treasury of the Temple Psalm:23/1-6 He noticed that the wealthy people offered a part of their surplus which (24/1-6) amounted to a very small percentage of Luke: 21/1-4 their wealth, depending heavily on their worldly possessions and not on God. On the contrary the widow being one of the poorest of the poor, but very much rich in faith had no difficulty at all in entrusting her whole livelihood to The Gospel Proclamation the heavenly Father and offer her entire He looked up and saw rich material possession, which amounted people putting their gifts into the to two small coins. She did not retain treasury; he also a poor widow put a balance for her livelihood. Jesus was in two small copper coins. he said, quick to note this disparity of depen"Truly I tell you, this poor widow dence - the poor depending fully on has put in more than all of them, the love and care of the heavenly Father for all of them have contributed out while the wealthy depended wholly on of their abundance, but she out of what God has given them and not on her poverty has put in all she had God who really gave all that to them.

This reminds us the reply Jesus gave to live on." to a rich person who told Him that he Prayerful Awareness has observed all the commandments to Today's Psalm says the earth is gain entry to heaven. Jesus asked him the Lord's and all it holds, the world to sell all his possessions and distribute and all those who live there. For God the proceeds among the poor and then founded it on the seas, established it follow Him. He could not agree to this over the rivers,. Accordingly, God is request. He proved to be much attached the Creator of everything including to his wealth and not to Him who prothe earth and all that it holds. People vided all that. That is why Jesus said earn their livelihood utilizing the "Blessed are the poor." earth or what it produces. This way Prayer Starter some people have become poor while Our faith is not strong enough for others have become rich. Some people a total and unwavering dependence have amassed wealth sufficient for generations and do not feel that all on our Heavenly Father. We are that belongs to God. God's plan was self-centered and reluctant to lead a the passing on of a part of the wealth life of sacrifice to follow Jesus. We are to the poor once in a number of years. very much attached to our material The disparity could be the result of possessions whereas the call is for us not following this plan. Even when to detach ourselves from them. O Holy making offerings to God the rich do Spirit give us more and more of Your not seem to realise that all what they gift of faith to depend on the Heavenly possess belongs to God and should go Father and not on the material possesback to Him. That is why when Jesus sions that He gives.

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Tuesday 24th November 2020 (Red) Revelation:14/14-19 Psalm: 95/10-13 (96/10-13) Luke:21/5-11

The First Proclamation Please read Revelation 14/14-19 meditatively.

The Gospel Proclamation When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."

Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs form heaven.

Fix your gaze on Jesus Dearest Lord, what are we to understand from Your revelation today? The first impression we infer is death and destruction and a permanent change to 'What Is'.....

St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest & Companions But then Your Spirit reminds us that even if we do not consciously recall it, each of us went through a severe trauma on the occasion of our present bodily existence; our birth moment from the womb of our mother! Yet, somehow, we were given a 'Life' that we've come to cherish and enjoy! We all would like for the present existence to continue and improve. Yet, 'Life' has taught us a lesson; that there is a constant with us called 'Change'- everything is in constant flux or change or is evolving; we are moving from momentary 'balance' to 'balance'.

Looked at from this perspective, today's scripture loses it's threatening and 'Doom' image; instead, it becomes the harbinger of 'New' possibilities. Reading deeper there-into, we see that the 'earth is ready for harvesting'! The 'Baby' is now fully grown and ready to be born! That necessitates dramatic changes; a letting go of the present reality to usher in the new. So, what do we take from this all?

Believe that it is a 'Wake Up Call' for us today; to stand ready with the Living Word incarnate and en-fleshed within. The way to the Father is only through the Son. Thus, we-the breath of God-the consciousness that is waking up, the holding vessels, must fill up with the Divine Word; as St. Paul says, I must become less and You must become more!

Yet again, our Blessed Mother did say, I am the 'Hand-Maid' of the Lord, let your will be done to me...'. Our beloved Saviour at the garden of Gethsemane answered the call of Abba with, 'Not my wish, but Your Will...'. Can we somehow bring ourselves to echo this 'Mind of Christ' within our-selves?

Prayer Starter Lord, help us wake up! To become aware that abiding in the Living Word is what is best for us! It enables us to experience the Divine Love in a continuous sustained 'Now'! Alleluia...!

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Wednesday 25th November 2020 St. Catherine of Alexandria, (Green or Red) Virgin & Martyr Revelation:15/1-4 Psalm:97/1-3,7-9 (98/1-3,.7-9) Luke:21/12-19

The First Proclamation I, John, saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for through them God’s fury is accomplished. Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name. They were holding God’s harps, and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are Holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

The Gospel Proclamation "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will

perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Prayerful Awareness Jesus predicts about the difficulties and sufferings that we will have to undergo, when we follow Him and His teaching and lead lives pleasing to God, spreading the Good News to everyone in this world to save them all according to the Will of the Father. In Mathew 28: 1620 Jesus calls His Disciples and entrust to them to continue the work He started in teaching people to observe the Word of the Good news, and follow the path to receive salvation. Salvation available to all who accept Jesus, and observe all that Jesus has commanded. Jesus then reminds us of the persecutions, trials and the threats that will come from the World, which we may have to face when carrying out work, as Lord’s witnesses, as a testimony. Jesus promised to be with us always until the end of the age. When we follow Lord’s Commandments, He also intercedes for us and sends to us another Advocate, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, to be with us all the time to help us, encourage us, strengthen us and empower us to face all trials that may come, and to go through them with peace. Jesus had said: “But not a hair of your head will be lost!” (Luke 21:18).

This comparison was a strong call not to lose faith and to continue righteously in the community. And this also confirms what Jesus had said on another occasion: “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who will lose his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:24).

Prayer Starter Thank You, Lord God, we worship You and praise You for Your great Love and Your Begotten Son, our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to follow all His Commandments and by Your Spirit of Truth grant to us Your Spirit to live pious lives as Your children Amen.

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Thursday 26th November 2020 Revelation:18/1-2, 21-23; 19/1-3, 9 Psalm:99/2-5 (100/1-5) Luke:21/20-28

Gospel Proclamation “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that it will soon be destroyed.

Then those who are in Judea must run away to the hills; those who are in the city must leave, and those who are out in the country must not go into the city. For those will be ‘The Days of Punishment’, to make all that the Scriptures say come true. How terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant and for mothers with little babies! Terrible distress will come upon this land, and God's punishment will fall on this people.

Some will be killed by the sword, and others will be taken as prisoners to all countries; and the heathen will trample over Jerusalem until their time is up. “There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides. People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses. Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near.”

Gaze at Jesus’ Sonship

St. Sylvester of Osimo, Abbot Jesus foretells about the end of the world and about the day of judgement.

He also forewarns about the signs of destruction. Those of us who know Him keep seeing and recognizing the signs of time.

Our sonship Often, we hear that we are living in the end times with wars, pandemics and natural disasters. However, it is also clear that for those who seek Christ, He is also near to them. Therefore, those who are near to Christ are not afraid of the end times because their lives become the light to those who live in darkness.

Revelations reveal, “Happy are those who have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9) Fellow Christians, the times have come, that we need to live our kingly, priestly and prophetic call in faith and passion.

Absence of any of these attitudes, it will be difficult to live our Christian call. Therefore, we need to be confident of our sonship as children of God. We also need to be able to sacrifice with our priestly calling and live with courage the prophetic mission in the society where values of God are denied and ridiculed.

This needs great courage and if we are not deeply rooted in the faith that Jesus is near to us and that Jesus will take care of us, we will stumble.

Prayer Starter Sing to the Lord, all the world! Worship the Lord with joy; come before him with happy songs!

Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock. Enter the temple gates with thanksgiving, go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. The Lord is good; his love is eternal, and his faithfulness lasts forever.

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Friday 27th November 2020

(Green)

Revelation:20/1-4, 11-21/2 Psalm:83/3-6, 8 (84/2-5, 7) Luke:21/29-33

The First Proclamation

know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to come.

"Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Prayerful Awareness Here Jesus tells of the need of the Christian to be on the watch. The Christian must never come to think that he is living in a settled situation.

We must live forever in the shadow of eternity, in the certainty that we are a people who are to appear in the presence of God. In the next verse Jesus warns us saying “Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man." In these extraordinary and sinful times we must focus our minds on the Lord and not of the things of this world, such as money, power and positions.

Prayer Starter

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss and a heavy chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent - that is, the Devil, or Satan - and chained him up for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the abyss, locked it, and sealed it, so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that he must be set loose for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been executed because they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed and the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or its image, nor had they received the mark of the beast on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and ruled as kings with Holy Spirit my Lord, in these times Christ for a thousand years. where our minds are bombarded with The Gospel Proclamation distracting thoughts and we hear only Then Jesus told them this par- the cacophony of the world, help us to able: "Think of the fig tree and all look to you for guidance and strength the other trees. When you see their in the decisions we take that lead us to leaves beginning to appear, you Jesus and our eternal salvation. Amen "O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Saturday 28th November 2020 (Green or White) Revelation:22/1-7 Psalm:94/1-7 (95/1-7) Luke:21/34-36

The First Proclamation Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him ; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads, And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.

"See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Prayerful Awareness Let us reflect on the Gospel today; Jesus reminds us about the big picture and re-focuses us towards the truth. As He saw the direction of God's creation and was tuned to the Spirit of the Creator Holy Spirit.

And he knew that it is hard as human beings to be tuned to the Holy Spirit when they are weighed down and occupied by worldly things, pleasures, or worries alike. Because when you are focused on worldly pressures/ worries, you are blind to the works of the Holy Spirit and you miss the opportunities to experience the Son of Man. And we see in the First reading the beauty of the river of life flowing from God. The experience of total grace from God and total dependence in God. “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.�

Our Sonship Let us look into ourselves and see if we too are weighed down or too occupied with our own worldly worries and pleasures, we do not see the works of the Holy Spirit and keep missing the opportunity to experience Christ in our daily lives.

Prayer Starter Dear Lord, grant us the power and strength of the Holy Spirit to escape all these things that will come before us, so that we may stand before you in thy grace.

" O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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Sunday 29th November 2020 Isaiah:63/16-17, 64/1, 3-8 Psalm:80/1-2,14-15, 17-19 1 Corinthians:1/3-9 Mark:13/33-37

Introduction Advent means the arrival or the coming. Today we are starting the season of Advent during which the Holy Mother the Church will awaken us for the task of preparing ourselves worthily to welcome Christ who makes his presence among us in manifold ways.

When we speak of the manifold advent of Christ, first of all we are awakened to the coming of Christ to the town of Bethlehem as a babe, then to his second coming at the end of the world for judgment and also of his daily arrival into our lives. Starting from this moment let us thirst for to enjoy during this Advent the salvation won for us through Christ.

The First Proclamation For You, are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord are our father; our Redeemer from of old is your name. Why, O Lord, do you make us stray from your ways and harden our heart, so that we do not fear you? Turn back for the sake of your servants, for the sake of the tribes that are your heritage.

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence -

First Sunday of Advent When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Prayerful Awareness Since the prophet affirmed the dreadful fate of the Israelites that was to befall on account of their sin, as a result of denying the Will of God, by disobeying Him without paying heed to His voice and doing what was displeasing to God, a remnant of people faithful to the Lord cried out to Him. When they were pleading with Him of the impending disaster, the Lord listened to them. They firmly believed in the coming of the Lord their Creator as the Redeemer, the only solution to the seemingly dark future destined for them in consequence of sin. "Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down"; – Thus, they cried out to the Lord since they were certain that the Lord Himself would be their Redeemer. And for centuries they awaited His coming. The Lord with His mercy and kindness listened to the prayer of a remnant of faithful people and through the

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prophets gave them the firm assurance of sending His Son. The Second Proclamation Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind - just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you - so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayerful Awareness Once St. Paul having finished his mission to the Corinthian community departed for another region, there arose conflicts, disputes and dissensions among the new Christians causing division within the Church of God. Hence, St. Paul wrote to them that since Jesus Christ is the Universal Judge who will make His glorious presence among them on a future date they should stand in readiness for His Second Coming smoothing out their differences to stand in unity thus being faithful to their Christian faith.

The Gospel Proclamation Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening,

or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all; Keep awake."

Prayerful Awareness Jesus Christ makes His presence among us in varied ways – while in prayer and celebrating liturgy, when we open ourselves to the Spirit of truth and love promised by Him, when we sincerely struggle with human weakness, trials and temptations, when we try to remain pure, spotless, righteous and just, when we are at home, in office, work place, travelling and engaged in day to day activities – though we feel that He is far away from us He is really present with us and among us. And since He can manifest Himself in the most unexpected moment we should remain faithful to Him as well as stay awake and alert. A person could be engrossed in his own affairs and could be forgetful of the Lord. Yet, isn't it our most significant duty to be conscious and mindful of ourselves through the Holy Spirit?

Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of God, let us thirst for a life of experiencing you so that in your second coming we may not see you as our judge but our only redeemer. Through your Holy Spirit fill us more and more with the gift of being awakened and let our life be a constant experience and encounter with yourself.

Throughout the week Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

(Psalm 79:2,3.)

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Monday 30th November 2020 Isaiah:4/2-6 Psalm: 122/1-2,4-9 Mathew:8/5-11

The Gospel Proclamation When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion answered, "Lord I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me, and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go, let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.

Gaze on Jesus Let us turn now, and come to the Lord. Holy Spirit of God, turn us anew ....

The calling of the Gentiles, the spread of the gospel, and that far more extensive preaching of it yet to come, are foretold. Let Christians help and strengthen one another, and support

St. Andrew, Apostle one another. It is God who teaches His people, by His word and Spirit. Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness.

If all men were real Christians, there could be no war, but that, is yet to be, as we fragment in the name of the very religion that is to unite us! The Prince of this world, the Liar has all of us in his grasp still.

Whatever others do, let us walk in the light of this peace brought to us by the Prince of Peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them. Those who wish to please themselves with 'Strangers to God', are in danger, for we soon learn to follow the way of persons whose company we keep.

It is not the having of silver and gold, horses and chariots, that displeases God, but the reliance on them for solace, and for the buttressing of our feeling of worthiness, the belief that possession of wealth provides for our innermost needs.

The truth remains that the choice to 'Be Okay', to 'Be a Beloved Son' rests not on externals, but on your abiding in the Living Word. Look to Jesus and learn this well! Beware, the love of riches is evil.

Though the lands called Christian are not full of gravel idols in the literal sense, are they not full of idolized riches" And in this idolizing of material riches, are not men so busy about their gains and indulgences, that the Lord, His truths, and precepts, are forgotten or despised.

Prayer Starter Let us look at the Centurion in the Gospel today, who knew power, the source and the flowing thereof, and of obedience. Let us come to recognize the role of the Living Word in our lives. Jesus Lord, the Word-Power-Love of God, come within, and create anew.

"O MARY! THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL OVERSHADOW YOU"

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