Walk in the Spirit May 2021 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT May 2021 Issue 349 Commencement March 1992

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER May 2021

The Blessed Mother has Jesus’ dead body on her lap. She gave Him life. Now She is ready to hand Him over to LIFE. Giving Him human life was death to her, and giving Him over to eternal life was death to her once again. Emptiness was her calling. It is emptiness, it is a death led by Life i.e. the Holy Spirit. She is filled. Therefore She is empty. There is no other way out for one filled with the Holy Spirit. Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

Saturday 1st May 2021

4th Week of Easter

Acts: 13/44-52 Psalm: 97/1-4 John: 14/7-14 OR Genesis: 1/26-2:3 OR Colossians: 3/14-15,17, 23-24 Psalm: 89/2-4,12-14,16 (90/2-4,12-14,16) Mathew: 13/54-58

The First Proclamation The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord . But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the

St. Joseph, the Worker (White) (PS Wk IV)

city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Prayerful Awareness One of the things that infuriated the Jews was that God’s privileges could be for the Gentiles too. The Jews were bent on grabbing or keeping their privileges to themselves. I have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. Through you I will make a covenant with all people, through you I will bring light to the nations. (Isaiah 42:6) As light of the world “He would act on one soul in one way and on another in another way, as the sun shines on wax and softens it, and shines on mud and hardens it. There is no difference in the sun only the objects on which it shines. As the light of the world, He would be a joy to the good and lovers of light; but Je would be like a search light to those who were evil and preferred to live in darkness. The seed is the same, but the soil is different, and each soil will be judged by the way it reacts to the seed.” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen) Prayer Starter Help us to place our reaction to Your message on the right track, be wax not mud to your light. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 2nd May 2021

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts:9/26-31 Psalm: 21/26-32 (22/25-27, 29-31) 1 John:3/18-24 John: 15/1-8

Introduction The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is Good News to us as Christians. The first Christian community bore witness to the Resurrection of Christ by way of sharing their life experience of witnessing the living presence of the Lord Jesus among them. It is for this very reason that St. Paul declares 'If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain' (1 Corinthians 15:14). The Resurrection of Christ is not simply a past occurrence but a most profound truth that we must bear witness to today as well as tomorrow. The first Christian community with their risen Lord encounter presented their life witness to others. It was part and parcel of their life which nothing or no one could eradicate. Having stepped on to the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we too should turn out to be powerful Christ disciples, who experience the Good News of Christ's Resurrection even in face of most unpleasant life experiences. Do I see the living presence of the resurrected Jesus Christ as bringing Good News to my life? Let us reflect on our lives. Meditating the word of God for today, and opening up to the Good News of Christ's Resurrection that astounds us as it did the first Christian community, let us ponder the Word.

(PS Wk I) (White)

The First Proclamation When Saul got to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him: they could not believe he was really a disciple. Barnabas, however, took charge of him, introduced him to the apostles, and explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul and spoken to him on his journey, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.… Prayerful Awareness The first Christian disciples well knew the person Paul. The reason was that he had been famous for persecuting the first Christians. Thus, it was really unbelievable to hear the same person proclaiming the Good News. This happens to be the most significant factor in Christianity because, a person who encounters Jesus Christ, will definitely undergo a total life transformation which is incomprehensible to human intelligence and is far beyond human understanding. Zacchaeus and the sinful woman as well as all those who encountered Jesus Christ underwent a total life transformation. Similarly, even today, since the Lord Jesus having overcome death lives among us, we could see how those who encounter him experience a total life transformation just as St. Paul engaged himself to the service of the Gospel. The Gospel Proclamation '….Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

something real and active; …His commandments are these: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another as he told us to. Whoever keeps his commandments lives in God and God lives in him. We know that he lives in us by the Spirit that he has given us. Prayerful Awareness In the Old Testament, the vineyard represented the people of Israel What is affirmed through the whom God affectionately planted Second Proclamation is the belief and tenderly cared for. The Gospel we should have in Jesus Christ as proclamation of today refers to Lord Christians and the love that should Jesus as the new vine, the disciples be proclaimed through our actions. its branches and the Almighty God Looking at the Christian Church, as the vine dresser who prunes away we find that it is not that easy to all the branches that do not bear fruit. translate this into action. These noble What the Lord Jesus intends to qualities that should be manifested declare through the Holy Gospel is even through our life could be made that His life bore fruit through His visible through us only by means of union with the Father and the disciple the relationship we have with the who follows Him and listens to His Lord Jesus. Therefore let us plead word also should glorify God the with the Lord that we too may be empowered to live in the presence Father just as He did. The early Christian community of God the Almighty without fear even amidst persecution, was able and trembling. Prayer Starter to give praise to God since they remained firmly rooted in Him. There I have been called to the life of a were also those who lived for human Christ discipleship. How much do I approval and honour. They denied live in union with the Father, the Son their faith in order to safeguard their and the Holy Spirit? However much life, the ultimate outcome of which we labour and commit ourselves was being withered away. Also it is to our mission for the Kingdom of said that such lives will be thrown God, our efforts will bear fruit only into the fire. In consequence of the by maintaining our relationship with experience gained through respond- Him through a deep prayer life. ing out of a deep relationship with Therefore let us once again reflect the Father He declares that even the on and examine the status of our fruit bearing branches connected to personal prayer (My Hour). the vine will be pruned away so that Almighty Father, fill us with Your they may bear more fruit. Spirit that we too may answer our The Second Proclamation vocation of divine son-ship inherited My children, our love is not to through Your Son! be just words or mere talk, but in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me in like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers.….. Gaze on Jesus

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 3rd May 2021 Sts.Philip & James, Apostles (PS Wk I ) (Red) in vain, unless we keep in the faith of 1 Corinthians:15/1-8 the gospel. Psalm: 18/2-5 This truth is confirmed by Old (19/1-4) Testament prophecies; and many saw John: 14/6-14 Christ after He was risen. This apostle was highly favoured, but he always had a humble opinion of himself, and The First Proclamation expressed it. When sinners are, by Moreover, brethren, I declare Divine grace, turned into saints, God unto you the gospel which I preached causes the remembrance of former unto you, which also ye have re- sins to make them humble, diligent, ceived, and wherein ye stand; By and faithful. He ascribes to Divine which also ye are saved, if ye keep grace all that was valuable in him. in memory what I preached unto True believers, though not ignorant of you, unless ye have believed in vain. what the Lord has done for, in, and by For I delivered unto you first of all them, yet when they look at their whole that which I also received, how that conduct and their obligations, they are Christ died for our sins according to led to feel that none are so worthless the scriptures; And that he was bur- as they are. ied, and that he rose again the third All true Christians believe that day according to the scriptures: And Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, and that he was seen of Cephas, then of then risen from the dead, is the sun the twelve: After that, he was seen of and substance of Christianity. All the above five hundred brethren at once; apostles agreed in this testimony; by of whom the greater part remain this faith they lived, and in this faith unto this present, but some are fall- they died. Over to us now! Where do en asleep. After that, he was seen of we stand? Have we journeyed forth James; then of all the apostles. And towards becoming aware? Has our last of all he was seen of me also, as prayer life blossomed forth to make us of one born out of due time. aware of the on-going presence of the Spirit of God in me and you? The Spirit Fix your gaze on Jesus who constantly orients us to look on the Awaken us O Haoly Spirit of God; person of the Christ-the Living Word, let us proceed to taste today the bread becoming incarnate in you and me. of Life! Thus will the Father Almighty come Resurrection usually points out to recognise His beloved Son in us; we to our existence beyond the grave. becoming less, and the Christ becomThe foundation of Christianity is the ing more! Us imitating Christ-meaning doctrine of Christ's death and resur- us not becoming or being a faded out rection, Remove this, and all our hopes copy, but of becoming the original. for eternity disappear at once. All Prayer Starter of God’s children; we who have His Lord God, You awaken us on to see Spirit bestowed on, have an existence beyond the body we presently occupy. your glory in the mundane things… And by holding on to this truth firmly, in seeing the awesomeness you have Christians stand in the day of trial, and endowed in us, your children becoming are kept faithful to God. We believe like yourself. "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 4th May 2021 Acts: 14/19-28 Psalm: 144/10-13, 21 (145/10-13, 21) John:14/27-31

The Gospel Proclamation

(PS Wk I) (White)

friend. Jesus waited upon God’s command (John 11). Above all this, Jesus was in peace even on the Cross. He could accept it and bow down to the Will of God. With so much of love and peace Jesus could say “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34) What could be the reason for experiencing such peace? It is faith in Abba Father. Jesus had the assurance that Father would take care of Him no matter what. Today Jesus is calling us to experience this peace which He has already given us in full. The first proclamation describes the peace St Paul experienced in the midst of persecution. He was stoned and dragged outside the town for proclaiming the Good News. Undaunted by what had happened, St. Paul continued the mission God had entrusted to him. Prayer Starter

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way. Let all thy works, O Lord, praise thee: and let thy saints bless thee. Prayerful Awareness They shall speak of the glory of In the Gospel Proclamation – Jethy kingdom: and shall tell of thy sus says “Peace I bequeath to you, power: my own peace I give you, a peace To make thy might known to the the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts sons of men: and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom. be troubled or afraid." Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all While Jesus was on earth what kind of peace did Jesus have? Jesus ages: and thy dominion endureth could sleep when there was storm. throughout all generations. The When disciples were shouting in Lord is faithful in all his words: and terror Jesus was in peace (Mark 4: holy in all his works. My mouth shall 35-41). When Jesus heard about speak the praise of the Lord: and let Lazarus' sickness, He didn’t rush all flesh bless thy holy name for ever; to see him even though he was His yea, for ever and ever. Amen. "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 5th May 2021

(PS Wk I ) (White)

We read in Isaiah 5:2: Israel is the vineyard of the Lord Almighty; the people of Judah are the vines He planted. He expected them to do what was good, but instead, they committed murder and in Jeremiah 2:21, "I planted you like a choice vine… But look what you have The Gospel Proclamation become!... a rotten, worthless vine." “I am the real vine, and my Father In the gospel allegory, the owner of the is the gardener. He breaks off every vine is still God, but the vine is Jesus branch in me that does not bear fruit, Himself. Thus, Jesus is proclaiming a and he prunes every branch that does paradigm shift that is being fulfilled bear fruit, so that it will be clean and through Him: the vine is ceasing to bear more fruit. You have been made be a symbol of God’s judgment and clean already by the teaching I have becoming an experience of divine given you. Remain united to me, and intimacy, love, and fruitfulness. We feel it flowing into us, reviving us, and I will remain united to you. transforming us. …“I am the vine, and you are the “Remain in me” (John 15:4). It branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; sounds so simple, but how often we for you can do nothing without me. struggle. There are times when we Whoever does not remain in me is experience a distancing from the vine thrown out like a branch and dries up or a drop in our capacity to bear fruit, … If you remain in me and my words yet we need not give up abiding. The remain in you, then you will ask for true vine’s capacity to give life never anything you wish, and you shall have fails. Remain in Him still, because it. My Father's glory is shown by the Father will make sure that we are your bearing much fruit; and in this pruned. We may still feel the pain of the knife. It may require discarding things way you become my disciples. we thought we needed. We do not need Prayerful Awareness to be afraid, for all things are done for In today’s first proclamation from our good. The Father will only increase Acts, we see a debate arise among the our capacity to experience more of His disciples: is commitment to Jesus suffi- eternal love. cient or is circumcision decreed by the As we have received, we will also Law of Moses also needed in order to be want to give. Jesus said, "My Father is saved? We know which side triumphed glorified by this, that you bear much by the faith we live now. The gospel also fruit and become my disciples." (John sheds light on what is truly required to 15:8). The fruit we bear will also be receive the victory of salvation. eternal. In today’s gospel proclamation, Prayer Starter Jesus uses the imagery of the vineyard I look to the mountains; where will to reveal a set of profound truths. The my help come from? Jews of that time were familiar with the My help will come from the Lord, example of the vine from the Old Testament as a reference to Israel, though who made heaven and earth. often, it was used in relation to God’s judgment against them.

Acts: 15/1-6 Psalm: 121/1-5 (122/1-5) John:15/1-8

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 6th May 2021 Acts: 15/7-21 Psalm: 95/1-3, 10 (96/1-3, 10)) John: 15/9-11 The First Proclamation And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you make a trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."… and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. …

Prayerful Awareness The scene presented in the first proclamation is the council of Jerusalem. A debate took place between some Pharisees who had become Christians and another group with St. Peter taking leadership. The former group insisted that all converts must be circumcised and keep the Law. In response St. Peter explained how he himself had been an eye witness at the house of Cornelius where God had sent the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles who had not received circumcision. The belief among the Jews was that circumcision was a sign of being cleansed. It was a Law require-

(PS Wk I ) (White)

ment. Yet, God had cleansed the hearts of the Gentiles simply by sending the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-47). The need for the council of Jerusalem arose because they could not come to an agreement on the previous issue of circumcision as the Law required. Accordingly with the superiority of St. Paul the apostle of the Gentiles and St. Peter the apostle of the Jews a meeting was held. Obviously, St. Paul was speaking in favour of the Gentiles but how was St. Peter enabled to take the same stand. It is through his own experience to which God had led him to experience among the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius. Otherwise St. Peter would never have been able to support St. Paul on this issue. How wonderful are the ways of God? The above dispute was with regard to a deep principle. Can a man win the favour of God by keeping the Law or must he admit his own helplessness and humbly accept the free gift of grace God offers? Where are we? Are we trying to keep to tradition and law, customs and rituals with the idea of winning the favour of God? Or else have we come to realize that we should no longer believe in a religion of works but in a religion of grace? Let us reflect. How open am I to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? When the Spirit leads me to give up certain ideals and wrong beliefs that I have been holding on to or accustomed to do I pay heed? Am I still trying to put God into my debt which I can never do or waiting in readiness to take what God in his grace offers? Prayer Starter Lord, convince me that the way to victory and peace is through surrender and the way to power is through admitting my own helplessness. Guide me and help me O Holy Spirit to walk this path. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 7th May 2021 Acts: 15/22-31 Psalm: 56/8-12 (57/7-11) John:15/12-17 Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, where the central theme is God/Jesus’s Love for us, and how we should likewise love one another, and find solutions to issues that arise in married life, in families, amongst neighbours, peers, and in the various groups we are associated with, based on principles of love and inclusiveness, rather than by the strict application of laws, rules and regulations causing divisions / exclusions. Today’s First Proclamation follows the incident whereby some men who had come from Judea to Antioch (a Gentile city) started teaching the believers saying, “You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised as the Law of Moses requires”. (Acts:15/1) Paul and Barnabas got into a fierce argument with them and it was decided to obtain a decision about this from the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem, who, after much debate and discernment decided to communicate their decision in writing to the Gentiles as follows: ‘The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment: It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul: Men that have given their lives for the

(PS Wk I) (White)

name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things. For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things: That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.’(Acts:15/23-29) They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. Further, note the great sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ from today’s Gospel Proclamation: Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit. Responsorial Psalm (Hymn, based on 57:9-12) I will give thanks to Thee O Lord, among the people I will sing praises to Thee Among the nations For Thy steadfast love is great It is great to the Heavens And Thy faithfulness Thy faithfulness to the clouds Be exalted, O God Above the Heavens Let Thy glory be over all the Earth// Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 8th May 2021 Acts: 16/1-10 Psalm: 99/2-3,5 (100/1-3, 5) John: 15/18-21

The First Proclamation Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily. ... The Gospel Proclamation “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

(PS Wk I) (White)

Prayerful Awareness To John there are two entities – the Church and the world. Of people Christ said that they are either for Me or against Me. “Everyone will hate you because of me. But, whoever holds out to the last will be saved. (Mark 13:13) Persecution followed and is still following Christians – because they say Christ is the Lord, the King and the Master. Christians were not prepared to say “Caesar is Lord“. As such they were branded as disloyal, and dangerous. This hatred from the world was foretold by Christ. “I did not come to bring peace but a sword. I came to set son against their fathers, daughters against their mothers.” (Mathew 10:34-35) “Our Lord gave no hope of converting everyone in the world; the masses would be more won by the Spirit of the world than by Him. To share His life was to share His fate. The world would hate His followers, not because of evil in their lives, but precisely because of the absence of evil, or rather, their goodness. Goodness does not cause hatred, but it gives occasion for hatred to manifest itself. The holier and purer a life, the more it would attract malignity and hate. Mediocrity alone survives. Perfect innocence must be crucified in the world where there is still evil. As the diseased eye dreads light, so an evil conscience dreads goodness which reproves it. (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen) Prayer Starter Help us to be steadfast carriers of Your message to the corners of the world. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 9th May 2021

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts: 10/25-26,34-35, 44-48 Psalm: 97/1-4, (98/1-4) 1 John:4/7-10 John: 15/9-17

Introduction Today is the Sixth Sunday of Easter and the invitation extended to us by Holy Mother the Church is to experience God who is love. We are being awakened through the Eucharistic theme 'God is love' so that we may acknowledge the fact that to love God and neighbor is our Christian vocation. It is humanly impossible to love God and neighbor for we need a higher power to accomplish this and it is the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts who will empower us for the task. While the first proclamation reveals the descending of the Holy Spirit, in the second proclamation St. John gives his testimony that "God is Love." The Gospel proclamation points out that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friends. To the extent that all Christians properly acknowledge this noble quality of love we will bear witness to the love of God. The First Proclamation As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. 'Stand up,' he said 'I am only a man after all!' Then Peter addressed them: 'The truth I have now come to realize' he said 'is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody

(PS Wk II) (White)

of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.' While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, 'Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?' He then gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. … Prayerful Awareness Even the first proclamation reveals the good news that we reflected upon through the Eucharistic theme of the day. God who is love has no favourites. The person who fears God who shows no partiality and does what is right is pleasing to Him. St. Peter too having experienced this profound love proclaims it through his life. His words manifest the power he is endowed with to fearlessly witness to the risen Lord Jesus Christ after receiving the Holy Spirit. This power so emanated from him that all who heard him were amazed. The Second Proclamation My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God's love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

only Son so that we could have life before us so that His own joy may be in us and our joy may be complete. through him; … He proves his love for us by His life Prayerful Awareness sacrifice and the needed power for the Obviously, St. John who declares task was received through remaining 'God is love,' has experienced the connected to the source of love. depth of God's love. God loved the Today, the Lord invites us as well world so much that He offered His to enter into an intimate relationship only begotten Son in sacrifice so with Him and through the power thus that the sin of man will be taken received, the Holy Spirit Himself will away. The man created to the image empower us to fulfill the commandof this love is born with the free gift ment of God. Let us open ourselves of loving. Since everyone who loves to receive this grace. is begotten by God they know God Towards us but anyone who fails to love can How blessed are we to have been never have known God. Therefore we should come to realize that we created to the image and likeness of have a vocation as Christians to know God who is love, and to have been God by loving one another and also called to live on the commandments of God? 'Not that you have chosen to respond to His love. me but it is I who have chosen you.' The Gospel Proclamation How much is the love and concern Jesus said to his disciples: 'As God has towards me? On the same the Father has loved me, so I have lines He also places before us a great loved you. Remain in my love. If challenge: 'Love one another as I you keep my commandments you have loved you.' Let us pause for a will remain in my love, just as I moment and search within. Where am have kept my commandments you I with regard to love? Let us repent will remain in my love, just as I aiming at conversion. If we are to have kept my Father's command- overcome this challenge we should ments and remain in his love. I have deepen our prayer life. For this purtold you this so that my own joy pose let us be in constant awareness may be in you and your joy be com- of the Holy Spirit and open ourselves plete. This is my commandment: to Him. love one another, as I have loved Prayer Starter you. A man can have no greater O sing to the Lord a new song, love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if for he has done marvelous things. you do what I command you. … His right hand and his holy arm have What I command you is to love gotten him victory. one another.' The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication Prayerful Awareness in the sight of the nations. He has The Lord who fully surrendered remembered his steadfast love and himself to the power flowing down faithfulness to the house of Israel. All from the very source of love gives the ends of the earth have seen the us the commandment of love by victory of our God. (Ps.98/1,2,3 ...) saying, 'Love one another, as I have loved you.' He places this command "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 10th May 2021 Acts: 16/11-15 Psalm: 149/1-6, 9 John: 15/26-16/4 The First Proclamation Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that district of Macedonia. After a few days in this city we went outside the gates beside a river as it was the Sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting. One of these women was called Lydia, a woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade, and who revered God. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptised she kept urging us, 'If you judge me a true believer in the Lord,' she said, 'come and stay with us.' And she would take no refusal. Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You Lord for coming to me, to us through Your blessed Son and His witness, Your wonderful Spirit... I am truly blessed now! Today, let's identify with the Lady from the town of Thyatira called Lydia. We'll role-play and travel alongside her on this virtual journey of discovery. Action! I believe so and therefore search for peace and for solace in prayer and in unity with the other; the others who gather therefore are so diverse and interesting, their experiences are valued lessons in life for me. Some experiences at first hearing may appear to be dull or atrocious, but contain aspects that vivify

(PS Wk II) (White)

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

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 11th May 2021 Acts: 16/22-34 Psalm: 137/1-3, 7-8 (138/1-3, 7-8) John: 16/5-11 The First Proclamation ... After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. ... About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, ... and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, ... But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ... The Gospel Proclamation But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. Prayerful Awareness In the first reading today, we read that

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the foundations of the prison that held Paul and Silas were shaken. Yet the way Paul responded to being freed at the expense of the guard is astonishing! It wasn't just witnessing the glory of God in the breaking of the prison that transformed the guard, but the response of Paul, in considering the consequences that would come to the guard without priding himself in his victory. Christ says that in His absence He leaves an advocate who would prove wrong the sin of unbelief and sense of righteousness in the world. It is clear that God's way of justice is very different to what our world believes, for it does not take pride in being 'better' than the people who have done 'wrong', but calls us to see a neighbour in them; Christ abandoned in them. To what extent does our God go to save His faithful! Today's reading is a reminder that God can shake any foundation that imprisons His faithful. Be it inner wounds, peer pressures or even physical prisons, there is nothing we have to overcome alone, for God's advocate is with us to awaken us to what we cannot see, guide us in our faith and give the strength to bear anything despite our human weaknesses. Towards us In our lives, the humble and considerate ways in which we respond with the power of the Holy Spirit, transforms the lives of others. What would have otherwise sprouted hatred, created wounds and brought another person to their knees, instead becomes an encounter of Christ; an incident where the overwhelming love of Christ is felt. Dying to our pride and ego with our neighbour is not at all easy in our everyday life. They may never understand or consider our feelings and may even take advantage of our humility. Only with a life of prayer will we have the strength to live through such depreciation everyday. This silent endurance slowly and eventually redeems us to be independent of the reactions of others to truly be who God meant me to be.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 12th May 2021 Acts: 17/15, 22-18/1 Psalm: 148/1-2,11-14 John: 16/12-15

The First Proclamation Please read Acts 17/15, 22-18/1 meditatively The Gospel Proclamation “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Fix your gaze on Jesus Today’s Gospel speaks how Jesus prepared His disciples before fulfilling His mission on the earth. He knew what fate He was going to face, but the disciples did not know it. Jesus had a lot to share with His disciples and to tell them about His departure, the journey to the cross, the time they will spend without Him, the struggles and the challenges they will have to face in His name, and for the Kingdom of God. But Jesus knew that none of the disciples could understand what they will have to face, and that the disciples may not be able to bear what they will have to undergo because the Holy Spirit has not descended upon them. Jesus

Sts. Nereus, Achilleus, Pancras,Martyrs (PS Wk II ) (White or Red)

knew that the Holy Spirit fully revealed to Him the Father's mind and about the kingdom of God. Therefore, Jesus knew that His disciples needed the Holy Spirit in order to give them a true understanding of all what He preached. Jesus knew that it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that the disciples could have unwavering faith in Him and worship God the Father just as He did. Therefore, the Gospel today reveals to us Jesus' forthcoming departure and of the Pentecostal coming of the Holy Spirit and how He prepared the disciples before his departure to receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples how they would know about the coming of the Spirit and His Presence. He taught to the disciples the transformation that would take place when the Spirit of truth comes. Today's first reading shows how St. Paul preached the gospel to the Athenians in Greece with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and shared his experiences. Greeks, who worshiped many gods and goddesses for each subject, had one god without a title. Therefore, they built shrines dedicated to the so-called "Unknown God" so that they would not be offended. It was admirable the way he preached the Good News to that nation. It is certain that He acted with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, please teach us the truth about everything and about Almighty God and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Give us Strength, Power and the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit to take the Good news to everyone in the world. Fill us with an unquenchable thirst for this, Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 13th May 2021

Our Lady of Fatima

Acts:18/1-8 Psalm: 97/1-4 John: 16/16-20 OR Isaiah:61/9-11 Psalm:44/11-12,14-17 Luke:11/27-28 The First Proclamation After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquilla, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together - by trade they were tentmakers. Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus. Then they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes, and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." ... The Gospel Proclamation "A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while , and you will see me." Then some of his disciples said to one another "What does he mean by saying to us, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me', and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" They said "What does he mean by this 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said

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to them, "Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me and again a little while, and you will see me'? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn but the world will rejoice, you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. Prayerful Awareness Today's Gospel brings about a certain fact about time. The phrase 'a little while' is repeatedly used in this short passage. A little while may refer to the three days between the death of Jesus and His resurrection but it may also be the time between the first and the second coming of Christ; the time in which we live and move, and have our being. Jesus does not mince His words; He tells us that our lives will not be free from pain and desolation but He also promises us that our mourning will turn to hope and our pain to joy. Towards our sonship God's time and God's ways are not ours. God's "little while" can seem like a lifetime to us. Do I want God to hurry up in healing people, in sorting things out and so forth? Though I may not "see" how God is working, can I trust that God is working? Can I trust that God is hard at work in the world and in my own life? Pain turning into joy is part of the human condition. A grain of wheat falls and dies in the ground and then bears a rich harvest. Loss and pain can bring us close to God and to each other. Prayer can be a time of noting the good in everything and praying that pain will turn into joy. Prayer Starter Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices and; you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. (St. John 16:20)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 14th May 2021

St. Matthias, Apostle

Acts: 1/15-17,20-26 Psalm: 112/1-8 (113/1-8) John: 15/9-17 Introduction Today the Church commemorates Saint Mathias, the Apostle who was selected to take the place of Judas the traitor. Prayerful Awareness In the interconnectedness between the Old and the New Testament, we see the fulfillment brought about in the New Testament, of circumstances and characters that occurred in the Old Testament. Apostle Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, takes steps to fill the vacancy that had arisen in the Twelve (with the demise of Judas Iscariot) as prophesied in one of King David’s psalms! “And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” We see Jesus our Lord and Saviour who saves us from slavery to sin and eternal damnation typified by characters like Noah, Joseph and Moses who God used to save His people from annihilation, starvation, and slavery. Similarly we see the Law was given to bring about a certain amount of discipline in society in the Old Testament times, which was brought to fulfillment in Love, in the person of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life to bridge the chasm between Creator God and Man (Creation) brought about by man’s disobedience/sin. In today’s Gospel Proclamation

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our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us the connection between Love and Joy. ‘As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father’s commandments, and do abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled. This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friend. … I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that you love one another.’ From the above exhortation we can see that if we love one another as God/ Jesus loves us we can be happy/joyful. God’s love is universal, sacrificial, humble/serving, and constant/unconditional, and to be happy and joyful we have to learn to love one another in like manner. As human beings we tend to say and do things that irritate each other, and it is imperative we forgive and serve each other sacrificially, unconditionally and in humility to enable us to continue to love one another, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Responsorial Psalm Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens... Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 15th May 2021 Acts: 18/23-28 Psalm: 46/2-3.8-10 (47/1-3, 8-9) John: 16/23-28 The First Proclamation After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now there came to Epheseus a Jew named Apolos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus. The Gospel Proclamation On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is

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coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” Prayerful Awareness In the time of the Old Testament or before Incarnation life always had unanswered questions and some unsolved problems. We always had to accept what we could not understand. We could grasp only fragments of truth and see God as a dim figure. But with the coming of Christ, things changed. Age of questions was over and we were blessed with the new era full of answers. The most important revelation of Christ was about His and Our Father. Our relationship with the Father was put on a new sound footing. We have a loving, understanding, merciful Father. He calls us to come to Him as we are and ask Him for anything. The door is always open to us His children. His heart is love. Our intimacy with God knows no end. We can take everything to Him in prayer, but end it all with “Thy will be done.” How encouraging and interesting it is to know that His answers to our prayers are always better than our requests. Jesus came, not because God so hated the world, but because He so loved the world. Prayer Starter Thank You Lord Jesus Christ, for opening the new road to the Father. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 16th May 2021

The Ascension of the Lord (World Communication Day)

Acts: 1/1-11 Psalm: 46/2-3.6-9 (47/1-2,5-8) Hebrews:9/24-28; 10/19-23 Mark:16/15-20

Introduction Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord, Holy Mother the Church calls us to live up to the Eucharistic theme, "Let us desire a life eternal." Christ with His ascension brings into fulfillment the Paschal Mystery. The Lord born among us in human form suffered and died on the cross but also rose again from the dead. He glorified the Father and the Father in return glorified him. Therefore, when we unite ourselves with Christ, we too shall inherit the gift of eternal life. Let us thirst for this and as true disciples of Christ being heralds of the Gospel let us surrender ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us enter into praise invoking for the power to do so. The First Proclamation …He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. …He replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my

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witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth. As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. … Prayerful Awareness What the author presents here is the historical moment of the Lord having fulfilled His mission on earth ascending to the Father. The Lord Jesus who rose from the dead appeared before His disciples and proclaiming the kingdom for forty days made one single request. That was to remain in Jerusalem and wait in hope for the fulfillment of the promise of the Father. He tells them to be armed with the Spirit once they receive Him and of how they would be empowered and renewed. It was certain that they will work wonders through their life witness as it was also the experience of our Lord. Thus He invites the disciples to enter into this experience. It is a calling to bear witness to the Gospel throughout the world, to the ends of the earth. Even today He is with us calling us to give witness to the Gospel. Let us enter into prayer asking for the needed power. The Second Proclamation For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, … so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. ...

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heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, … Our Lord having offered Himself Prayerful Awareness once won eternal salvation for the entire universe and for all of us as well. When the Lord having finished He does not need to do it repeatedly His mission on earth was about to since He is not an earthly high priest ascend to the Father, He invites His but the eternal priest. Since now He disciples to remain clothed in the dwells in heaven His sacrifice be- power of the Spirit. He also mentions comes an eternal sacrifice. the gifts of the Spirit those who beLikewise, at that time in the past, lieve in the Lord will receive and that the high priest entered the holy of ho- no-thing or any person could defeat lies only once a year. From now on, the person surrendered to the Spirit. we, the people of God who believe The devil cannot overcome Him in Him are able to reach God through because with the action of the Holy our Lord, the new screen. Similarly, Spirit there would manifest many in the Jewish tradition, sprinkling of miracles. The disciples experiencing water was a sign of external cleans- this, preached the Gospel throughout ing. In the New Testament, through the world and bore witness. Thus the the precious blood of Christ we not Lord worked in and through them. only receive bodily cleansing but Towards my son-ship are purified mentally, spiritually Let us question ourselves as to receiving total interior purification. Let us follow Him experiencing whether we bear witness in our daily this freedom from sin and the joy life to the heavenly life inherited by of redemption that we receive from us as Christians. Presuming that we Him. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit labour for eternal life, are we still immersed in what is worldly? If so, to empower us on this journey. let us repent and turn, come to our The Gospel Proclamation proper senses and follow the Lord Jesus showed himself to the and experience the gifts and taste eleven and said to them, 'Go out the fruits of the Spirit, being heralds to the whole world; proclaim the of the Gospel bear witness and work Good News to all creation. He to win for others the joy of salvation who believes and is baptized will and redemption. Let us enter into be saved; he who does not believe prayer pleading the Lord to grace us will be condemned. These are the with this power. signs that will be associated with Prayer Starter believers: in my name they will 'Gladden us with holy joys, alcast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up mighty God, and make us rejoice snakes in their hands, and be un- with devout thanksgiving, for the harmed should they drink deadly Ascension of Christ your Son is our poison; they will lay their hands exaltation, and, where the Head has on the sick, who will recover. And gone before in glory, the Body is so the Lord Jesus, after he had called to follow in hope.' (Collect) spoken to them, was taken up into Prayerful Awareness

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 17th May 2021 Acts: 19/1-8 Psalm: 67/2-7 (68/1-6) John: 16/29-33 The First Proclamation …Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ... Unto what then were ye baptized? ... Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. ... Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You Lord Jesus for the gift of the Spirit of Love You send us; we are now empowered to journey towards becoming conscious of who we truly are... Paul found some religious persons at Ephesus, who were expectant of the Messianic arrival been prepared by the teachings of John the Baptist. They were not apprised of the passion of the Lord nor led to expect the miraculous powers of the Holy Spirit, nor informed that the gospel was especially the ministration of the Spirit. But they were as prepared and ready to welcome it as anyone could ever be. Paul showed them that John did not intend for those he baptized to rest there, but were to

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believe on Him who comes after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. They thankfully accepted the revelation, and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit came upon them in a surprising, overpowering manner; they spoke with tongues, and prophesied, as the apostles and the first Gentile converts did. We consider ourselves rational and are uncomfortable, and do not expect miraculous powers today! Yet all who profess to be disciples of Christ, should be called on to examine whether they have received the seal of the Holy Spirit, in His sanctifying influences, to the sincerity of their faith. Many even today seem not to have heard that there is a Holy Spirit, and many deem all that is spoken concerning His graces and comforts, to be delusion. Is it now? Seriously? Of such it may be inquired, "Unto what, then, were ye baptized?" for they evidently know not the meaning of that outward sign (manifestation) on which this whole faith journey hinges on. Of what meaning are Jesus’ promises then? Take for example ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’. How are these promises to manifest in us except through the Spirit of Love? Our glorious martyrs clearly experienced this promise! Do we understand that the Divine nature we are infused with through the Spirit, supports and extends our ‘human’ nature, and puts comfort and value into our (Christ’s) sufferings? Prayer Starter Thank You Lord; yes, I’m aware that the Spirit of Truth bestows power and freedom; that I am even now journeying towards being ‘perfect even as our Father is’! I feel so good...

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 18th May 2021

St. John 1, Pope & Martyr

Acts: 20/17-27 Psalm: 67/10-11,20-21 (68/90-10,19-20) John:17/1-11

The First Proclamation Please read Acts 20/17-27 meditatively. The Gospel Proclamation After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.

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Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. Prayerful Awareness In this Gospel Proclamation Jesus turns from holding communion with His disciples to hold communion with His Father on their behalf. All of His life Jesus has been moving toward the Cross. This was His purpose in coming to earth. And now His time has come. The “time,” refers to Jesus’ death. The glory of the Son, finds its culmination in the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. He will have done what He came to do. The resurrection and ascension will lie ahead yet, but it is the Cross that will draw people to Jesus. Jesus glorified God by His obedience by His public honoring of the Father by His work in the name of the Father. Jesus is obviously looking forward to being restored to the glory that He enjoyed with the Father prior to His Incarnation. Jesus prays for His disciples. He has been their protector. Now that He is preparing to depart this world, He asks the Father to assume the role of protector to these disciples who are in the world but not of the world. Jesus’ concern is not so much for the physical danger that His disciples will face but for spiritual victory in the face of great trials. Prayer Starter Help us Father, we who are in the world not to be of the world, to trust your word and not be led astray by all the falsehoods we hear on a daily basis which distorts the truth. Give us the grace and the strength to grow spiritually and not lose our way to you. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

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Wednesday 19th May 2021 Acts: 20/28-38 Psalm: 67/29-30,33-36 (68/28-29,33-36) John: 17/11-19 The First Proclamation Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue … stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. The Gospel Proclamation ... Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Prayerful Awareness Today the word of the Lord asks us the question; whether we sincerely believe the “Truth, the Way and Life”

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of Christ, when we call ourselves followers of Christ (Christians)? To many today Christianity has become merely an admirable belief system. Instead of spiritually pledging that it is the absolute truth, way of living and source of life, there are many who feel that it is an optional truth, a vague and passable lifestyle and a burdening source of guilt for their worldly indulgence. There are certainly not many Stephens in the society, who can wholly live and preach what they believe. Instead, Christians today are ‘adapting’ to what is accepted in the world, sometimes in the guise of open-mindedness. In Christianity, witnessing means a realization and a complete life transformation. It is not an outward show that can be altered at our convenience. Stephen’s witnessing to Christ eventually resulted in even his youthful death. Yet being Christians how many of us take the easy and pleasurable way out instead of taking up the Cross? The so called ‘followers’ of Christ in the Gospel today, were not following Jesus with faith but were after the potential benefits of following Him, which to them was ‘bread’. Similarly, many today identify as Christians for convenience. Not having encountered Christ and without the constant awakening to the Holy Spirit, they are still on the pursuit to try and satisfy their eternal longing through temporary power, money, wealth and pleasures. However, the Lord tells us today, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Prayer Starter Lord, Grant me the gift of faith to lead a transparent life and awaken me to where and when in my life I fail to witness to the Truth as a follower of Christ. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 20th May 2021

St. Bernardine of Siena,Priest

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

The Gospel Proclamation I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that word they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them. Prayerful Awareness Jesus prayed for all whom God gave Him out of the world and also for the ones who believed in Him through their Word, that they all may be as one in Father and as one in Him. All of us who believe in Jesus through the Word and accept Him as our Saviour and Lord who came from Father, are called to follow His Commandments

(PS Wk III ) (White)

and live pious lives. We have to focus our lives on Jesus as the Son who fulfilled the Will of Father, and follow Him in everything we do, however difficult it is. Thus, we do not belong to the world that do not follow the commandments given to them. They cheat, they lie and follow the path of sin to fulfill their desires of the world, lust, fame, money, power etc., but we are called to follow Jesus and be Free from all such desires. We are called to be His Witnesses to take His Word to everyone in the world, to save as much as possible and add them to His flock to receive eternal life with God the Father forever. Jesus knows this is not easy and prays to the Father to empower us and consecrate us in the Truth, so that He can send us to deliver the Word to everyone in the world, as Children of God empowered by the Holy Spirit with us. First Reading of Acts shows us how God protected Paul the servant of God, who testified about Jesus. Paul’s pronouncement brings strong dissent between the members of the Sanhedrin, so strong, that the Roman commander fears for Paul’s life and instructs his soldiers to rescue Paul from the mob. The following night, Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.” Prayer Starter Lord Jesus, make us not belong to the world any more, as You do not belong to the world. Strengthen and consecrate us in the Truth and send us to the world to deliver Your Word as Your Witnesses obeying all Your Commandments, Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 21st May 2021

St. Eugene De Mazenod,Bishop; St. Christopher Magallanes, Martyrs (PS Wk III ) (White/ Red)

Acts: 25/13-21 Psalm: 102/1-2,11-12, 19-20 (103/1-2,11-12,19-20) John: 21/15-19 The Gospel Proclamation ... Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” ... “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said ... “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” .... “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt ... “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ... Prayerful Awareness

The greatest virtue in the world is love. Nothing could exist in the entire world devoid of love. Also, nothing challenges its power to heal, restore, mend and make all things new. Love surpasses all other virtues. In it lies another important truth which we call sacrifice. Love and sacrifice go hand in hand. If we cannot sacrifice with each other, we cannot love each other too. What a love we have in Jesus. He sacrificed His whole life in order to love and win redemption to all. Jesus wants to instill this love in Peter’s mind and heart in order to spare no one of Jesus’ followers, but be of service to all, taking care of them until the end. By questioning Peter three times, Jesus expects from him to affirm his total love and obedience to them in his future ministry of pastoring His people and leading His church. During the passion of the Lord, Peter had denied three times and now he has to undo his denials by affirming his total love for the Lord that means to His followers. Jesus adds that this kind of shepherding would be done with great sacrifice.

As a result of associating with Jesus, Peter now has changed from his former ways, no more proud about his physical strength, but experiencing his spiritual strength and experiencing his Master’s love, humility and dependence with Father God. Jesus’ greatest request is to protect and feed the flock which He had earned with difficulty by His self-sacrifice. Such is the love of Jesus. Gaze at my sonship Let me listen to the words of Jesus resounding in my ears “Do you love me?” What will be my response? My answer would be “Yes, Lord”. When I examine whether it is true, I wonder how many times I have rejected my Lord. I have acted without caring Jesus’ words according to my own selfish wishes, also according to my convenience for my selfish gain. Let me repent with all my heart. “Jesus Lord, I ask for mercy. Let me not implore in vain. All my sins I now detest them. Never will I sin again.” We are at the threshold of Pentecost. The 50 days of the sacred time of Easter concludes with Pentecost Sunday when Church recalls the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, the beginnings of the Church and the start of her mission to all tongues and peoples and nations. Let us implore from the Holy Spirit to enlighten and empower all of us in this outpouring. As shepherds we too are called to lead the flock on behalf of the Lord and with total love, obedience and sacrifice. It means giving up our comforts, security in the interests of others in the society. Let us memorize what Jesus said, “I come to serve and not to be served.” Let us hope and pray for the same. Prayer Starter Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 22nd May 2021

St. Rita of Cascia

Acts: 28/16-20, 30-31 Psalm:10/4-5,7 (11/4-7) John:21/20-25 The First Proclamation When we came into "Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor - ..." .... The Gospel Proclamation Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” … Prayerful Awareness In today’s Gospel Peter turns and sees the disciple whom Jesus loved. This was just after Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” 3 times. I wonder

(PS Wk III ) (White)

what went on in Peter’s heart? Was he jealous of John’s close friendship with Jesus? At times, did Peter strive to be as contemplative as John was? Or was Peter truly secure in his relationship with Jesus? Jesus knew and understood Peter’s need to be special. However, Jesus challenges Peter when he asks Jesus a question about John. Jesus quietly yet firmly responds to Peter and says: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?..” This sounds harsh. However, I assume that the tone of Jesus’ voice was kind and yet firm when He spoke these words to Peter. However, I wonder if Peter was able to hear the love and concern in Jesus’ voice, or did he only hear the scolding? Yet Peter understood what Jesus meant. Our Sonship Our humanity is a great gift, yet at times it also is a challenge. Our need to be special and to be loved is at the core of who we are as human beings. All of us need to know and believe that we are loved and lovable. Human love is essential for all human beings. However, we also need to know and believe that we are the beloved of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit! However, at times in our lives, we all have the experience of Peter. Ask yourself: were you ever jealous of someone who seemed to be loved and accepted by everyone? But we need to learn how to manage these emotions, or else they will begin to manage us. Prayer Starter Holy Spirit, please help me not to be caught up in my human feelings and emotions but to see beyond them, and experience the love of Abba Father and live according to His will and plan. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 23rd May 2021

Pentecost Sunday

Saturday Evening Vigil: Genesis: 11/1-9 or Exodus: 19/3-8,16-20 or Ezekiel: 37/1-14 or Joel: 3/1-5 Psalm: 103/1-2,24,27-30 1.Genesis: 11/1-9 Psalm: 32/10-15 (33/10-15) 2.Exodus: 19/3-8,16-20 Psalm:Dan. 3/52-56 or Psalm: 18/8-11(19/8-11) 3.Ezekiel: 37/1-14 Psalm: 106/2-9 (107/2-9) 4. Joel: 3/1-5 Psalm: 103,1-2,24,35,27-30 (104,1-2,24,35,27-30) Romans: 8/22-27 John: 7/37-39

Pentecost Sunday Acts: 2/1-11 Psalm: 103/1,24,29-31,34 (104/1,24,29-31,34) 1 Corinthians: 12/3-7,12-13 OR Galatians: 5/16-25 John: 20/19-23 OR John: 15/26-27; 16/12-15

Introduction Today is very significant to our little island since Kithu Dana Pubuduwa of the Sri-Lankan Catholic Church started in the year 1971 has by now, in the year 2021 completed a fifty year journey. On account of this, Kithu Dana Pubuduwa celebrated its Golden Jubilee yesterday, that is, on the 22nd of May from 6.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. the following day with the annual theme 'Jesus Christ is the Lord.' In connection with this, the members of Kithu Dana Pubuduwa in Sri-Lanka as well as different countries joined in the vigil celebrations through the use of modern technology. We offer

(PS Wk IV) (Red)

God our heartfelt thanks, praise, glory and worship for He bringing us along a fifty year journey through varied obstacles and sufferings, ups and downs and attacks yet under His unending love, full security and special guidance. The First Proclamation When Pentecost day came round, the apostles had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. (Please read the day's proclamations completely.) Prayerful Awareness Expounded here is the incident of the bestowal of the Holy Spirit, the first gift of the risen Lord in the Upper Room. In the recent history, first of all at the end of the 19th Century, Blessed Sr. Elena Guera, Mother Foundress of the Religious Congregation of the Oblate sisters of the Holy Spirit in Luca, Italy, pleaded with Holy Father the Pope Leo XIII to take the Church back to the Upper Room. On 25th January 1959, the Holy Father proposing his initial plan for the Second Vatican Council prayed that the doors and windows of the Church may be opened making space for the breath of God to enter in. As a result, while a group of lecturers and students of the University of Ducane, America were engaged in a session of prayer for several days, on the 11th of February 1967, there occurred a Pentecostal experience in the Catholic Church.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Its 40th anniversary was held on a grand scale on the 04th of June 2006, at St. Peter's Square in Rome with a gathering of over 400,000 people along with the Holy Father Benedict XVI. Thus the Holy Spirit with his continuous presence with the Church guides her on a journey in accordance with the Will of God. The Gospel Proclamation … And he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' After saying this he breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. /for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven…. Prayerful Awareness According to the Gospel of St. John Christ disciples received the Holy Spirit on Easter Sunday, and spelled out here is how He breathed on them and bestowed on them the Holy Spirit. He himself pointed out to them why the Spirit is thus bestowed on them. Since He desired bringing to this experience, this life style, not only the disciples but also the whole of humanity, with the words, "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you"He commissions the disciples with this mission. Along with this He entrusted the Spirit filled community of disciples with the authority of carrying out the task of forgiving sins that God grants through Jesus which is the mission of sanctifying the people of God. The Second Proclamation

inspired St. Paul to spread the Gospel after his life transformation as a result of his risen Lord encounter. Certainly it is in consequence of his life experience that St. Paul spoke of the great gifts that one could receive under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The mention made here that 'no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord' unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and also the statements such as 'those led by the Spirit are children of God' are undoubtedly great revelations granted to him by the Holy Spirit Himself. Having lavishly experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit he employed them unreservedly for the welfare of others and for the inculcating of kingdom values in the society. With the declaration 'In the one Spirit we were all baptized to make one body for which purpose one Spirit was given to us all to drink', he also proclaims that it is the Holy Spirit who builds up the community, the Church, the mystical Body of Christ. Towards our son-ship

Jesus says, "Peace be with you."Lord, bestow on me, on us, on our family, community, society, Mother Church and on our land the Peace that only you could give. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you! Lord, send me. Fill me with your Spirit and send me. Send me that I may build up God's kingdom of love and unity in every area that I live, move and have my being! Send me O Lord that I may build up your kingdom in our land by spending every gift, grace, talent and skill for the good of the other! .... no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord' Prayer Starter unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit. There is a variety of Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all gifts but always the same Spirit; ... that is within me, bless his holy name Prayerful Awareness Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do Obviously it is the Holy Spirit that not forget all his benefits - (Ps 103/1, 2 ...) "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 24th May 2021

8th Week in Ordinary Time, Our Lady, Mother of the Church (PS Wk IV ) (White)

Genesis: 3/9-15,20 OR Acts: 1/12-14 Psalm:86/1-3,5-7 (87/1-3, 5-7)) John: 19/25-34 The First Proclamation Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, ... They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: ..... They gathered frequently to pray ..... The Gospel Proclamation Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.”Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home. Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said, “I am thirsty.” .... Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and died… Prayerful Awareness With tender love, we remember Our Lady today. There are not enough words to describe the beauty and blessings we receive through her compassionate love. The Church has given her the titles “Mother of God” and “Mother of the Church.” The first is for her role in bringing Christ into the world, and the second began when moments before Jesus’ death, he entrusted the apostle John to her maternal care. Since then, she has always been present

to Christ’s flock. Despite her own loss, we see Mother Mary being with the apostles who were also going through great distress at losing their master, and she intercedes on their behalf till the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14). We have seen and felt her nurturing love for all members of Christ’s body, the church, as well as her miraculous and powerful intercession which has been displayed across time, geography and cultures. Gaze at Jesus and Mary Mary’s motherhood is the very opposite of Eve’s, “the mother of all human beings” (Gen 3:20). At the beginning of creation, Adam and Eve were blessed with everything of God’s bounty, yet out of their own choices and disobedience, fell from grace and experienced death. How did God the Father restore the promise of life for which we were intended? How were our grievous wrongs made right? Through the total obedience and sacrifice of Mother and Son. In today’s Gospel, as we gaze in silence at Jesus on the cross, we meet the Blessed Mother also there. She, too, gazes upon her Son. Sorrow has pierced her heart, but she does not protest. The Blessed Mother simply trusts in the Father and the Son. In this sacred moment, we are able to claim the place of the beloved disciple and hear Jesus speak these words, “She is your mother.” Let us offer her our intentions and the journey ahead. Let us ask her to pray with us and for us that we may stay close to Jesus always. Let us pray Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Hymn: Gentle Woman

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 25th May 2021

St.Bede the Venerable, St.Gregory VII, Pope, St.Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi (PS Wk IV ) ( Green/White)

Sirach:35/1-15 Psalm:49/5-8,14,23 (50/5-8,14,23) Mark:10/28-31

The Gospel Proclamation Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age, - houses, brothers and sister, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions - and in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first." Prayerful Awareness Apart from other messages that Jesus wishes to convey through this passage, maybe He noticed a subtle temptation in Peter to compare himself with others and feel superior, since contrary to the man who deliberately refused the call to follow Jesus (Mark 10:22) they have left everything in following him. May be at times we too act out of wrong motives and feel proud. Do we take pride in the good things we accomplish? Do we also try to compare ourselves with others and say we are far superior to them in good works? What are the motives behind our actions? Do we work for reward, praise, success or are we willing to submit ourselves to the will of God out of love. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says aim at being faithful not successful. The little flower St. Theresa of Lisieux

says 'My vocation is love.' God is love (John 4:7) and he has created us in his own image and likeness. His desire is that we too may grow in his image. Since Christ is the blueprint of God let us model on Him. He sets the example of taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2). What St. Paul elaborates in this letter is what Christ gave to Peter as a warning; 'many that are first will be last.' Let us reflect on the first proclamation from the Book of Sirach to see what thought we could add to the day's meditation. The author Ben Sira in this passage is supporting the institutional values which he thought had to be preserved. It is mostly about offering sacrifices to God. It also speaks of giving generously to God, with a cheerful face and with gladness. Yet, in the long run, we cannot come to terms with God for He far surpasses us in His love. It is out of love that He created us, forgave us when we fell out of grace and sent His only Son to redeem us. How can we ever repay His love? Only thing we can do is to praise and thank Him in word and deed. He knows our inmost hearts: knows what to give and what not to give (Romans 7:27, 28). From the Responsorial Psalm: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honours me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God! Prayer Starter Lord, we know our failure in loving you. We have egoist tendencies and we act out of selfish motives. Guide us O Holy Spirit and make us aware, awaken us to reality when the motive in force in us is not love.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 26th May 2021

St.Philip Neri, Priest

Sirach:36/1,4-5,10-17 Psalm: 78/8,9,11,13 (79/8-9,11,13) Mark:10/32-45 Saint of the Day St. Philip Neri was born in Rome in 1515 and died in 1595 on 26th May. At an early age, Philip abandoned the chance to become a businessman, moved to Rome from Florence, and devoted his life and individuality to God. For 13 years he led a vocation unusual at the time—that of a layperson actively engaged in prayer and the apostolate. He then became a priest and was the founder of the Oratorians. He is well known for his humor and gifted spiritual direction. One of his quotes : “We are not saints yet, but we, too, should beware. Uprightness and virtue do have their rewards, in self-respect and in respect from others, and it is easy to find ourselves aiming for the result rather than the cause. Let us aim for joy, rather than respectability. Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us.” The Gospel Proclamation .... He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles, they will mock him and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again....“Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know

(PS Wk IV ) (White)

what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” .... Prayerful Awareness Today's reading focuses on serving the people of God. "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all." It is amazing how servitude is the measurement of greatness in the kingdom of God whereas in the world it is those who are powerful and in control, considered the greatest. All of us know that to think of taking full reign of anything in this world, is to set ourselves up to disappointment. Whether it is my skills, riches, personality, family and friends, they are not going to be able to be what I want them to be at all times. Christ asks us to be devoid of these expectations when He tells us to serve others instead. For we do not know how others will respond to us and how we will adapt to new situations. This is precisely why we surrender it to the all-knowing God who's in control. In serving others, we naturally empty ourselves of the thinking of 'I', 'to me' and 'for myself'; the very thing standing in the way of my obedience to God. Prayer Starter Lord, make strong my fragile heart which is afraid of being disliked. Help me to realize that being made into nothing in this world, means to be abounded with the graces of your kingdom. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 27th May 2021 Sirach:42/15-26 Psalm: 32/2-9 (33/2-9) Mark:10/46-52 Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christthe Eternal High Priest Genesis:22/9-18 Psalm: 39/7-11.17 (40/7-11,17) Matthew:26/36-42 The Gospel Proclamation They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ... Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” .... “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" ..."My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Prayerful Awareness Bartimaeus, a blind man cried out loudly ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. But, among the crowd of people who were there with Jesus, each one had their own personality, their own way of seeing life, of feeling life. So, these groups of people heard the cry of this blind man but responded differently. One group of people was comprised of those who do not hear the cry of the blind man, this group of people who, even today, don’t hear the cry

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

(PS Wk IV ) (Green/White)

of the many who are in need of Jesus. it is a group of people who are indifferent: they don’t hear, they believe that life is their own little group; they are happy, they are deaf to the clamour of so many people in need of salvation, in need of Jesus’ help, in need of the Church. The second, however, includes many different, diverse people who hear the call, but these people keep separate from Jesus, those who cry out, who are in need of faith, who need salvation. And there is also a third group and they are those who help the people to approach Jesus and who say to Bartimaeus: “Be brave, get up, he’s calling you!”. This is the group of Christians who are consistent between what they believe and what they live. It is the group of Christians who help the people who cry out, asking for salvation, asking for grace, asking for spiritual health for their soul, helping them to get close to Jesus. Our Sonship An examination of conscience that will do us good, through a series of direct questions: Which group am I in? In the first, with those who don’t hear the many cries asking for the help of salvation? Am I concerned with only my relationship with Jesus; am I closed off and selfish? Do I belong to the second group, with those who separate people from Jesus, whether by lacking coherence in life, lacking testimony, whether by being too attached to money, or through rigidness; do I distance people from Jesus? Or do I belong to the third group, with those who hear the cry of so many people and help them to approach Jesus? These are questions that, each of us can answer in our heart. Prayer Starter Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Ps. 32/2...)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 28th May 2021

(PS Wk IV ) (Green)

Sirach:44/1, 9-13 Psalm: 149/1-6, 9 Mark:11/11-25

The Gospel Proclamation …And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money – changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he taught, and said to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.'" Prayerful Awareness The Gospel of the day reveals that as time passed, by remaining in the identity of divine son-ship at every moment, Jesus Christ accomplished everything with deep faith in the Father and through the guidance of the Spirit purely for the ushering in of the Kingdom of God. He who always worked with wisdom and love calls even His disciples to have the same vision. As mentioned in the Gospel proclamation for today, it is not out of any human compulsion that He does drive out the people who were defiling the temple. It was simply the thirst, the fire burning within Him for to integrate His experience and loving response to the Father that made Him take action against the temple being made a robbers' den. It seems a heart piercing action that overturned the vain values in society. The Lord who accomplished a prophetic task even through the incident of the fig tree, at the next moment challenges the faith of His disciples: 'Therefore, I tell you, whatever you

ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.' With this statement He shows that they should reach a much deeper level of faith. Also when He says, to be reconciled with one's brother before entering into prayer through which one will be made worthy of being forgiven by the Father, it is by way of sharing His own experience of enjoying the love of the Father fully and completely. In the First proclamation, while Sirach praises the good deeds of our forefathers in the Old Testament who experienced the love of God and led God fearing lives, the psalmist declares that we should always give praise to the Lord God Most powerful. Towards us If we are to pay heed to the challenging voice of the Lord and respond to it, we should have the deep faith of our forefathers. While this faith should be steadfast and active, it should be vibrant as to totally depend on God in face of most hard situations in life. For this purpose let us enter into a life style of being in constant awareness of the Holy Spirit, daily progressing in our prayer life and thus maintaining a sound and intimate relationship with the Lord, of experiencing His very life. Let us be cautious lest church festivities considered sacred may take the form of a carnival under the power of commercialization. In face of the present situation of the country let us strengthen our faith and relying on God, be ready and brave enough to bear witness to our vocation. Prayer Starter Let them praise his name with dancing; making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. (Ps:149/3, 4,)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 29th May 2021

St. Paul VI, Pope

Sirach:51/17-27 Psalm: 18/8-11 (19/7-10) Mark:11/27-33 OR 1 Corinthians:9/16-19, 22-23 Psalm:95/1-3,7-8,10 Mathew:16/13-19 Gospel Proclamation ....the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Prayerful Awareness Jesus was always connected to God the Father as Son of God. This was proved at the Baptism when the Holy Spirit came upon Him and God confirmed that He is pleased with His beloved Son. From the miracles Jesus performed, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders had enough proof to know that Jesus is someone from God. Yet, in order to test Jesus, they asked Him, by whose authority He performs

(PS Wk IV )

(Green/White)

these things. They did not want to accept Jesus as the Son of God. God hid this knowledge from the people in power, and the learned who think they know everything, and made it known only to the humble believers who thank and Praise God for the miracles they see. God even made Jesus be born in the simplest way. We sometimes venerate people in power to get our problems attended to, even when we know that they lie and cheat, and do not obey God. Where are we? Do we live our lives according to Lord’s Commandments? Do we call ourselves as followers of Jesus, baptised to receive the Holy Spirit? If so, do we believe and accept Jesus as the Son of God who came down to earth and gave His life to save us from sin due to His Great Love, and the LOVE of God the Father. Do we accept this Great LOVE? If so, do we love Him. In John 14: 15, Jesus asks us, do you love me, and if so, He asks us to follow His Commandments, and receive the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever to empower us and Help. First Reading guides us to Thank and Praise God for the Gifts and protection we have received like Sirach, who prayed and obtained Wisdom from God. The Saint for the day - Paul the 6th was Elected as the 262nd Pope in 1963. As Pope, Paul continued the reforms of Pope John XXIII. He re-convened the Second Vatican Council, and supervised implementation of many of its reforms, such as the vernacularization and reform of the Liturgy and many more. Prayer Starter Come Holy Spirit we need You. Guide us to follow all Commandments Jesus our Saviour and Lord gave us. Guide us to live pious lives as children of God, Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 30th May 2021

The Most Holy Trinity or Trinity Sunday

Deuteronomy:4/32-34, 39-40 Psalm:32/4-6,9,18-20, 22 (33/4-6,9,18-20, 22) Romans:8/14-17 Matthew:28/16-20

Introduction Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity on which we solemnly proclaim the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. The Almighty God Most High revealed Himself to us as the Most Holy Trinity. God is a community and it is a great mystery. A sacred mystery is a great treasure that we cannot fully comprehend. God is love as well as invisible. Yet, the invisible love of God is made known to us through His only begotten Son. Through the Holy Spirit and in the Son, we unite ourselves with the Father Most High. The First Proclamation Moses said to the people: 'Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? …Has any God ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before

(PS Wk I ) (White)

your eyes in Egypt? Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: The Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Prayerful Awareness The chosen leader, Moses, who brought the people of Israel from Egypt on a long journey, nearing the river Jordan and just before entering into the land of promise reminds them of their past. He brings to mind how they set off from Egypt, the way the Lord guided them in their desert journey and how the Lord revealed Himself to them on Mount Sinai and requests them to reflect and see how unparalleled and unique His works are! He urges them to make an inventory as to if they could ever think of any occurrence in human history since the beginning of the world that could be compared with their own experience throughout this journey. Since God is all powerful and is the only living God he questions them as to whether there is any other that could be equaled to Him. Further, Moses challenges the Israelites if they can think of any other God who accomplished the marvelous deeds performed by their Savior God. The Second Proclamation Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, 'Abba, Father!' The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory. Prayerful Awareness Through the Second Proclamation St. Paul affirms that man should no longer be a slave to sin or the world because of the Holy Spirit, the love of God. And that man is called to divine son-ship through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the second person of the Trinity who came among us in human form. Also because of the third person of the Trinity we are able to address the all powerful God, the creator Abba Father and the Holy Spirit Himself has empowered us to do so. This was made possible since the Word incarnate lived among us. The fact thus affirmed by St. Paul is that since Christ is the most profound Word of God, by living, moving and having our being in Him, which means in accomplishing the will of God, through Christ we should enter into a deep relationship with the Abba Father. It is the Holy Spirit who opens access to this unique relationship. The Gospel Proclamation The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the

nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands that I gave you. And know that I am with you, to the end of time.' Prayerful Awareness 'Make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.' Thus Jesus makes baptism compulsory. What for? It is for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In order to gain access to the kingdom of God, we are being dedicated to the Holy Trinity through the rites of baptism. This enables us to reach an intimate relationship with the three persons of the Trinity because through baptism Christians have received a calling to commit themselves and labour for the kingdom of God. Our sonship What is this love that we have received at baptism? This holy love is none other than the love that is burning in the heart of the Holy Trinity – the love that is God. We are called to experience the infinite love the three persons of the Holy Trinity share with one another. Thus we too have been mysteriously incorporated into the action of the Holy Trinity through the sacrament of baptism. Out of the constant reciprocal love of the Father and the Son comes forth the Holy Spirit. The overflowing that falls on us is the very love of the Holy Trinity. Let us consistently thirst for to receive as well as to give out this Holy Love.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 31st May 2021 Zephania:3/14-18 OR Romans:12/9-16 Psalm: Isaiah:12/2-6 Luke:1/39-56 The First Proclamation Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christian brothers and sisters and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. .... Share your belongings with your needy fellow-Christians and open your homes to strangers. Ask God to bless those who persecute you — yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. The Gospel Proclamation Soon afterwards Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!”... Prayerful Awareness Here is an example, the Good News goes to the house of Zachariah where his wife Elizabeth receives Mother Mary as the Mother of our Lord and Mother Mary too praises God for the great things He has done in her life.

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PS Wk I ) (White) The Pentecost took place in the upper room of a house. Many key events in the early church took place in simple homes. This brings to our mind the importance of building the domestic church. The Easter bombing restricted our movement to church first. Then the pandemic. These show the importance of a mature domestic church. Therefore, does the church do enough to sustain the faithful in the faith in their daily lives? How should the institutionalized church evolve and change. Is the hierarchy of the church mature to bring the changes that come from the Holy Spirit? Is the Pentecost a reality in the Catholic Church? As we now embarked on the post Pentecost period in the liturgical calendar, let us awaken to the importance of the church taking responsibility for this task, where the total community is willing to serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion, as said in the first proclamation. Church also needs to define what service means in the church. Is it church work or witnessing to the love of God? Therefore, let us pray! Prayer Starter (Psalm (Isaiah) 12: 2-6) God is my Saviour; I will trust Him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength; He is my Saviour. As fresh water brings joy to the thirsty, so God's people rejoice when he saves them. A day is coming when people will sing, Give thanks to the Lord! Call for Him to help you! Tell all the nations what he has done! Tell them how great He is! Sing to the Lord because of the great things he has done. Let the whole world hear the news. Let everyone who lives in Zion shout and sing! Israel's holy God is great, and he lives among his people.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

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