Walk in the Spirit June 2021 by Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT June 2021 Issue 348 Commencement March 1992

"Jesus Christ is Lord"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication: Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER June 2021 The Risen and Glorified Lord perplexes us. “Do not touch me” He tells Mary; He has not ascended to the father, as if to say, you can do so thereafter. “Put your finger into my wounds” He tells Thomas as if to say, “Touch me” (John 20/17) even though He has not as yet ascended to the father. The Resurrected Lord has the community of His followers as His Body (1Cor.12/27). More, all the peoples, the whole of creation is considered as His Body- the cosmic Christ (Colossians 1/17). The mystery involved with the Risen Lord, the riches of this state, cannot be drawn in for rational discourse without conceding to the truth of the Mystery, that is the Risen Lord. We His followers would do well to profess His lordship by proclaiming our lips and believing in our hearts that “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Romans10/9). This profession means a lot. There cannot be any other gods: race, language, caste, wealth, position or political party. Unreserved acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus would be the rejection of any response to any provocation based solely on any ‘ism’ be it liberal, socialist or pragmatic. Jesus Christ is Lord now and forever.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

9 th Week,Ordinary Time, St. Justin, Martyr (PS Wk I ) (Red)

Tuesday 1st June 2021

Tobit: 2/9-14 Psalm: 111/1-2,7-9 (112/1-2,7-9 ) Mark: 12/13-17 The First Proclamation That night I took a bath; then I went into the courtyard and lay down by the courtyard wall. Since it was hot I left my face uncovered. I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall above my head; their hot droppings fell into my eyes. This caused white spots to form...and in the end, I become completely blind....My wife Anna then undertook woman's work; she would spin wool and take cloth to weave;...she finished a piece of work and delivered it to her customers. They paid her all that was due, and into the bargain presented her with a kid for a meal. When the kid came into my house, it began to bleat. I called to my wife and said, 'Where does this creature come from? Suppose it has been stolen! Let the owners have it back; we have no right to eat stolen goods'. She said, 'No, it was a present given me over and above my wages.' I did not believe her,... To which, she replied, 'What about your own alms? What about your own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.' Fix your gaze on Jesus Jesus Lord, You –the most blessed of all, trusted 'ABBA’ in the deepest level of Your being, stood as the most vulnerable son; filtering nothing that the Almighty sent Your way! You did not allow anyone or anything to obstruct Your experiencing of the Love of the Abba, choosing to remain in the flow of that ever-flowing, ever-renewing, always uplifting love and care. All ex-

ternal circumstances were a conduit to receive love; no conditions were placed on the externals! Tobit, a person walking in the paths of righteousness, still suffers blindness for a long duration. Despite this calamity (that would elicit bitterness from the most of us), he stays devout and obedient to the Lord’s precepts. In his heart, he continued to experience the presence and the love of the Lord despite trying circumstances, being thankful for blessings received. For the duration however, he was dependent on his wife for his livelihood in a patriarchal culture. What a blow to the ego! Today, we have evolved this thinking to where both males and females are viewed as being equally valued members of the society. We value being productive members of our society, and strive to earn our independence and to be of merit. We however have this erroneous understanding, equating dependency to being unworthy, and hence to be avoided. This needs to be changed, as looking at a little child we perceive that dependency is a situation to being open to receive love! Tobit's wife's counter-arguments too remind us that we need not be fearful to receive grace and abundance. The best model we have however is the Lord Jesus, who accepted whatever the Father brought before Him, without rejecting any; Beware however and Reject an entitlement mind-set which perverts our perceptions, denying us the experience of love. We are recipients of Unmerited Grace! Prayer Starter Let us walk with the Lord, trusting in Him for the goodness He wills for us. We will experience love come what may, even as He did whilst He walked on earth…

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 2nd June 2021 Tobit: 3/1-11,16-17 Psalm: 24/2-9 (25/2-9) Mark: 12/18-27 The Gospel Proclamation Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children.... Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ..He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” Prayerful Awareness The Incarnated Word,dwelling in the midst of us is no other than Christ the Lord, who lived with Father God right from the beginning. Being overwhelmed with the Holy Sprit this Incarnated Lord, whole heartedly experienced the love of God and the revelations to make use of them during the whole period of His mission on this earth. While reading today's Gospel we could understand the attitudes of the Sadducees with regard to life situations. They were sophisicated Jews, who made the temple and its administration their main interest. They extended a powerful influence on the people because they accepted only Pentateuch(The first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures.) The Sadducees did not believe life after

Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, Martyrs (PS Wk I ) (Green/ Red)

death as they had no direct teaching about it. The Writing of Moses were only Scriptures they followed. This is why When Saddusees posed the question on resurrection, Jesus promptly replied this, "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. The Sadducees knew only the litergy sense of the law. They had no meaning to the way of life and how they lead their lives. Law is good and spiritual. Let us not take the law in its literal sense as the Sadducees did quoting the law of Moses. Lord did not give a Spirit of timidity but a Spirit of love, power and self-control. This law is beyond man's intellect because faith is a divine gift to us through Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus gave a definite answer to the question about Resurrection. Have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him," I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob" He is God not of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong." The first reading of today is a passage taken from the book of Tobit. Tobit is a man tested by God but not rejected by Him. Perseverance in prayer brings God's blesssing upon him, as we say, God may delay but not forget. Tobit's plea to God is,"Let me enter my eternal dwelling. Do not turn your face from me." Towards us Let us meditate, the manner in which Jesus replied to the arguments made by the religious leaders, not only inspired us, but also challanged us. Jesus is very familiar with the Scriptures and the power which followed with the Living Word. I know that I am not equipped myself with your own effect. So, Holy Spirit do empower and enlighten me to depend on the Word of God for the good of myself and for others.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sts. Charles Lwanga & Companions, (PS WK I ) (Red) Martyrs wanted to test Jesus of the first comTobit: 6/10-11, 7/1, 9mandment. To this, Jesus answered in 17, 8/4-9 full going up to the second commandPsalm: 127/1-5 ment which is equally important. Do (128/1-5) we love God the most, more than any Mark: 12/28-34 other person or a thing, and love Him with our whole heart, with our whole soul, with our whole mind and with The Gospel Proclamation our whole strength? And do we also And there came one of the scribes love our neighbour as ourselves? If we ...and seeing that he had answered truly fulfill these two commandments them well, asked him which was the without any reservations, filled with first commandment of all. And Jesus God’s Love, we will be automatically answered him: The first command- fulfilling all other commandments of ment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the the Lord. As stated in John 14:15- 16; Lord thy God is one God. And thou when we follow Lord’s commandshalt love the Lord thy God, with thy ments, He intercedes for us and sends whole heart, and with thy whole soul, to us the Spirit of God, the Third and with thy whole mind, and with Person of the Holy Trinity, God of the thy whole strength. This is the first Holy Spirit, to be with us forever to commandment. And the second is help us, strengthen us and empower us like to it: Thou shalt love thy neigh- to live as children of God full of God’s bour as thyself. There is no other Love and Mercy. First Reading from the book of commandment greater than these. And the scribe said to him: Well, Tobit, a wealthy devout, who begs the Master, thou hast said in truth, that Lord to let him die because of his misthere is one God, and there is no oth- fortunes and also of a young woman, er besides him. And that he should be Sarah, who also prays for death. God loved with the whole heart, and with hears the prayers of Tobit and Sarah the whole understanding, and with and sends the angel Raphael to help the whole soul, and with the whole them both. Raphael takes Tobias the strength; and to love one’s neighbour son of Tobit to marry Sarah. Tobias as one’s self, is a greater thing than and Sarah pray to God. The beautiful all holocausts and sacrifices. And and consoling story of Tobias and Jesus seeing that he had answered Sarah reminds us of God's merciful wisely, said to him: Thou art not far relationship with us. from the kingdom of God. .. Prayer Starter Prayerful Awareness Abba Father, Our ever Loving God According to Jewish Religious the Father, we thank You forYour Great Practices, the Scribes were entrusted Love for us and for Your begotten Son, the duty of copying the Word of God our Lord who came down to save us whenever copies were required, as from sin. Grant Your Spirit and Help such they were well acquainted with us to abide by all the teachings of Lord the Word. Although Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord and of the Word, the Scribes thought they to fulfill Your Will in our lives, Amen. were the masters of the Word, and Thursday 3rd June 2021

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 4th June 2021

(PS Wk I ) (Green)

Tobit: 11/5-17 Psalm: 145/1-2,6-10 ( 146/1-2,6-10) Mark: 12/35-37 The Gospel Proclamation As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he asked the question, “How can the teachers of the Law say that the Messiah will be the descendant of David? The Holy Spirit inspired David to say: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit here on my right until I put your enemies under your feet.’ David himself called him ‘Lord’; so how can the Messiah be David's descendant?” A large crowd was listening to Jesus gladly. Gaze on Jesus Jesus is using the opening verse from Psalm 110 which was written by King David. He uses this Psalm to tell the people present at the temple that Messiah is someone more than a descendent of king David because in the Psalm, king David addresses Messiah as “my Lord”. In the Psalm, king David also uses the phrase “sit here on my right” which is symbolic of the Divine Sonship of Jesus. The First Proclamation Meanwhile, Anna sat looking down the road for her son. Suddenly she saw him coming and shouted out to Tobit, “Look! Our son is coming, and his friend is with him!” Before they reached Tobit, Raphael said to Tobias, “Your father will be able to see again. Just put the fish's gallbladder on his eyes like a plaster. The medicine will make the white film shrivel up so that you can peel it off, and your father will then regain his eyesight.” Anna ran to her son, threw her arms round him, and exclaimed,

“Now that I have seen you alive, my child, I can die in peace!” And she wept for joy.… Tobias went up to him, holding the fish's gallbladder in his hand. He blew on his father's eyes and steadied him. “Don't worry now, father,” he said. Tobias then applied the gall, and beginning from the corners of Tobit's eyes, he peeled away the white film. Tobias then applied the gall and beginning from the corners of Tobit's eyes… Then he exclaimed, “I can see you! My son, the light of my eyes! “Praise God. Praise him for his greatness. Praise all his holy angels.… He brought this illness upon me, but now I can see my son Tobias!” Then Tobias went happily into the house, praising God at the top of his voice. ... Today’s scripture describes how Tobit a faithful person of God who was blinded by sparrow droppings regained his sight miraculously with the return of his son Tobias. With Tobias’s return he also got the news that the family was going to have a new daughter in law. Thus, they experienced a new beginning to praise God’s faithfulness. We are depicted in the Gospel and in Tobit’s story today. Messiah, the Lord is with us. However, we need to allow the Lord to take away our spiritual blindness so that we may see God’s loving arm around us in all situations of our life. On a family holiday to Galle, one of our children used the phrase, this is a happening place as a tourist destination. We can use that same phrase for our spiritual lives too. Our life can be a place of happening if we permit the Lord. Prayer starter My God and King; I will thank You for ever and ever.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 5th June 2021 Tobit: 12/1,5-15,20 Psalm: Tobit: 13/2,6 (Tobit: 13/1-2,6-8) Mark: 12/38-44 The Gospel Proclamation And he said to them ...: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace, And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers: Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment. Prayerful Awareness Let us read today’s Proclamations meditatively, which highlight sin, repentance, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and tithing, and contain a wealth of observations and advice whereby we can make our lives fulfilling in the here and now, and unto eternity, in the blissful presence of Almighty God! The contents of the Gospel Proclamation are self-explanatory. Here our Lord Jesus Christ especially denounce the hypocrisy of the rich and mighty, who on the most part look down on the masses whilst getting rich by exploiting the poor and taking advantage of the helpless, especially widows and orphans. Today’s First Proclamation is from the book of Tobit, which is from the Deuterocanonical (middle) books of the Bible. The outline of the contents of this book: Tobit in Nineveh, and Sarah in Media, suffer and pray for deliverance, and God sends angel Raphael in answer to their prayers. Salient excerpts from today’s First Proclamation are as follows: “Then he said to them…..: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that

St. Boniface, Bishop & Martyr ( PS Wk I ) ( Red)

live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you. For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honourable to reveal and confess the works of God. Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold: For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own sou….And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee. And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son’s wife from the devil. For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord….It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works.” Thus it extols the virtue of giving thanks & praise to Almighty God, our Abba Father, in all circumstances, and also publishing His good works to us by witnessing about them to others, so that they too can partake of same! Responsorial Psalm (Tobit 13: 2, 6-8) For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand. See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works. As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation. ..... Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will shew his mercy to you. And I and my soul will rejoice in him. Bless ye the Lord, all his elect, keep days of joy, and give glory to him. Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (PS Wk II ) (White) the Book of the Covenant he read Exodus: 24/3-8 Psalm: 115/12-13,15-18 it to the listening people, and they said, 'We will observe all that the (116/12-13,15-18) Lord has decreed; we will obey.' … Hebrews: 9/11-15 Prayerful Awareness Mark: 14/12-16, 22-26 It was through the Covenant at Sinai that the Israelites, a people in Introduction slavery came to be owned by God, Jesus Christ on the night before claimed by Him as His own. Here they His death instituted the Holy Eucha- promised to observe and obey all the rist, the sacrament of His Body and laws and decrees of the Lord. The sealBlood through which He constantly ing of the covenant was with the sacrinourishes His followers. There is a ficial blood. 'The Sacrificial Blood' as deep connection between the Holy the blood of the covenant invited the Mass, the Eucharistic celebration covenant parties to participate in the and the Holy Eucharist. As Christ's covenant. In sacrificing animals, their disciples when we experience failure blood was sprinkled over the altar and and weakness the Holy Eucharist pro- then over the people. Accordingly we vides us an antidote. In the mystery of see the two parties being united in a the Eucharist, we are strengthened to blood relationship. The Code of law break and spend ourselves for God and given to them here is the Covenantal for the sake of others. Accordingly, for law written on tablets of stone. to respond to the invitation of Christ The Second Proclamation in the way of Christ discipleship, the …And he has entered the sanccommunity meal that brings the entire universe into one identity is the ban- tuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull quet of the Holy Eucharist. calves, but his own blood;...how The most sublime ritual celebrated much more affectively the blood of as the centre of the entire Christian life Christ, who offered himself as the is the Holy Eucharist and the Eucha- perfect sacrifice to God through ristic Celebration in connection with the eternal Spirit, can purify our it, which remains the fulfillment of inner self from dead actions so that the very mandate of Christ expressed we do our service to the living God. by the words, "Do this in remem- He brings a new covenant, as the brance of me." The Holy Catholic mediator, only so that the people Church too throughout the past 2000 who were called to an eternal inheriyears celebrating likewise this noble tance may actually receive what was sacrifice invites us to receive daily promised: ... nourishment from the most precious Prayerful Awareness food that sustains Christian life. Sunday 6th June 2021

The First Proclamation

…Half of the blood Moses took up and put into basins, the other half he cast on the altar. And taking

In place of the Covenant wtih Laws written on the tablets of stone, God Himself promised through prophet Jeremiah a Covenant newly written in the hearts of the people (Jeremiah

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

31:31-34). What is presented to us in the Second Proclamation is that Jesus Christ himself as the High Priest granting us the gift of salvation by entering into the sanctuary through His life sacrifice. Accordingly He, Himself, who is without spot or stain sprinkling upon us the blood of His very self became the mediator of the New Covenant. Thus, Jesus Christ, as the mediator of the New Covenant exalted us to a new relationship with God by shedding His own blood through which we received the inheritance of divine Son-ship. Its affirmation having carved in our hearts has been bestowed on us as the gift of participating in the life divine. The Gospel Proclamation …And as they were eating he took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. 'Take it,' he said 'this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, 'This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. …(Please read the whole proclamation.) Focusing on Christ Jesus had been well prepared for a proper celebration of His Passover meal with His disciples. Drawing water from the well and taking it home was usually done by Jewish women. Yet, mentioned here is of 'a man carrying a pitcher of water.' In identifying this rare occasion the disciples are able to find the exact place. The Lord Jesus excluding the traditional words and the ritual performed by the Father of the Jewish household before the Passover meal added a new meaning to it interpreting the unleavened bread as His own body. 'Take and eat, this

is my body.' Thus, a change has taken place in the Passover meal. Similarly, He interprets the cup of blood as the 'blood of the covenant.' Accordingly, giving a new meaning to the ancient Passover meal He instituted a new sacrifice. The Covenant at Sinai was sealed with the sprinkling of the sacrificial blood of the animals over the people in connection with the covenant. Similarly, the New Covenant is sealed through the blood of Jesus Christ himself shed on the cross. Thus, the blood of the spotless and stainless Passover lamb with which the New Covenant is sealed at Calvary is the very blood of Jesus. Our Son-ship The primary fourfold actions taking place during the Eucharistic Celebration is, taking, giving thanks, breaking and sharing. This same procedure took place in the life of Jesus too. Likewise, in making room for this to happen in our lives we are also being taken to a deeper evangelical discipleship. Having chosen us from among others, we too are being blessed, our selfishness broken and are sent out to share with others the love of God. Thus while being nourished with the Eucharist we are duty bound to witness to the element of sacrifice that we experience through the same sacrament. Similarly we are motivated into embracing martyrdom. The Eucharistic meal, the experience of a foretaste of the heavenly banquet at the end times is the most sublime gift that ushers us into enjoying the greatest gift we have received, namely the life divine. Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, let us yearn to receive the sublime gifts that lie hidden in this treasure house.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 7th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 1/1-7 Psalm: 33/2-9 (34/1-8) Mathew: 5/1-12 The First Proclamation Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout Achaia; Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation. The Gospel Proclamation

(PS Wk II ) ( Green )

ger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ,.... Prayerful Awareness

The way Paul was selected by Christ was unique. Paul knew that He would never abandon him. If what we do is in accordance with the Will of God and also what He wants, then we can be rest assured that He will support us. “It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about the wonderful communion of the faithful and joins them together so intimately in Christ that He is the principle of the Church’s unity. (Unitatis Reintegration, No. 2). “Suffering is a means to draw nearer and nearer to Christ. It is a means of ever deeper conversion of mind and heart. Through our weakness God will help us grow in wisdom, spiritual insight and understanding. Above all we must remember that in union with Christ, our sufferings will bear spiritual fruit for the good of the Church and of the entire world! Our Then he began to speak, and prayers, our sufferings and the good we taught them, saying: accomplish affect the entire Mystical “Blessed are the poor in spirit, Body of Christ and can produce good for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. in ways we may never know. (St. John “Blessed are those who mourn, for Paul II) Prayer Starter they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Help us to be true Christians bearearth.“Blessed are those who hun- ing our crosses. Amen. "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 8th June 2021

(PS Wk II ) ( Green )

2 Corinthians: 1/18-22 Psalm: 118/129-133, 135 (119/129-135) Mathew: 5/13-16 The First Proclamation As surely as God is trustworthy, what we say to you is not both Yes and No. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, that is, by me and by Silvanus and Timothy, was never Yes-and-No; his nature is all Yes. For in him is found the Yes to all God's promises and therefore it is 'through him' that we answer 'Amen' to give praise to God. It is God who gives us, with you, a sure place in Christ and has both anointed us and marked us with his seal, giving us as pledge the Spirit in our hearts. Fix your gaze on Jesus What an assurance dear Lord, what an assurance! We who walk in the Spirit know that the Lord God is faithful, and trustworthy. Our journey in faith has by and large been blessed and we have the innermost feeling and conviction of the assurance that the 'Lord Is For Us'! Are you with me on this, or have you been experiencing a reality that is significantly different? May be your life is fraught with emotional vicissitudes, running like an out of control roller coaster, heedless of your expectations... permanent chaos ruling. Could it also be that life is a more or less permanent placement in the dumps, always filled with disappointments, losses, rejection, danger or violence. Whatever your life experience is, NOW is the Moment to turn, and experience the blessings of

our Lord God who is present and able to turn your life experience around! So, what are we to understand from the scripture today? What are God's promises we've come to know about, and which of them have we come to experience in our lives? Which of them do we desire to bring to fruition in our lives? Listen again to the assurances extended in the Living Word given to us today! S/He is all 'YES' for us! Now, staying in the Living Word, and manifesting the new creation we are empowered to bring about, is our own responsibility! In the thoughts we choose (Living Word vs Lies of the Deceiver) moment by moment, we create for ourselves an experience... that is either uplifting, or down-sliding. When we train ourselves to search for and stay in the truth, freeing ourselves step-by-step from our illusions and delusions (the lies of the Devil), free ourselves from the so called 'Maya', we come in to the 'Light' and experience our 'Power'; of our 'Goodness'. This is the earnest desire of our Father in Heaven. Jesus in today's Gospel proclaims that, 'You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing.... You are light for the world.... No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in people's sight,...' Remember and stay conscious so as not to loose your Taste! Shine forth reflecting the Light of our Creator God, living a life of testimony to the Lord of Light! Prayer Starter Yes Lord, I think I understand. Now please translate my understanding to experienced reality....

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 9th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 3/4-11 Psalm: 98/5-9 (99/5-9 ) Mathew: 5/17-19 The First Proclamation Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! The Gospel Proclamation “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the

St. Ephrem,Deacon & Doctor (PS Wk II ) (Green/ White)

least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Prayerful Awareness The fundamental principles behind the Ten Commandments is the, principles of reverence for God, and respect for our fellow men and for ourselves. Without them there can be no such thing as law. On them all law is based. They are the permanent principles of man's relationship to God and to his fellow-men. When Jesus speaks of the law and the Gospel Jesus is saying that there is a definite continuation between the past and the present. We must never look on life as a kind of battle between the past and the present. The present grows out of the past. There had to be the Law before the Gospel could come. Men had to learn the difference between right and wrong; of their own human inability to cope with the demands of the law, and to respond to the commands of God; men had to learn a sense of sin and unworthiness and inadequacy. The motive of the Scribes and Pharisees was the law; their one aim and desire was to satisfy the demands of the Law. But the motive under which a Christian lives is the motive of love; the Christian's one desire is to show his gratitude for the love God gave us in Jesus Christ. Prayer Starter We Thank and praise You Father for the love You gave us by sending Your only begotten son to die in our place and pay the ransom for our sins by which we are saved. Amen

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 10th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 3/154/1,3-6 Psalm: 84/9-14 (85/8-13) Mathew: 5/20-26

The Gospel Proclamation … “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire... Prayerful Awareness Let us read today's Gospel proclamation carefully. In the Gospel passage Jesus says: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20) Let us gaze at Jesus, why does Jesus say that? Isn’t it because the righteousness of the Pharisees was limited to the literal Law but not the Will of God that the law was based on? Jesus saw that if we limit ourselves to the literal, we cannot experience the grace of God in its fullness. Focusing on the bare minimum of the Law so that you appear righteous is not

(PS WkII ) ( Green )

what ABBA father willed through the law. Isn’t that why He says just before the passage we read today, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17) In the same sense St. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians: “Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” (2 Corinthians 3:1516) The veil is the Human interpretation of the literal law without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But when you are baptized by the Holy Spirit and when you start experiencing the freedom, everything is revealed to you. Our Sonship Let us turn to ourselves and reflect… how often do we try to justify our actions by using the word literally, saying that “the law specifically does not say that what I did is wrong, so it is Ok”. Let us repent, as we all know in our hearts that when we do something wrong the holy spirit within us gives us a prompting, even though we try to ignore our conscience. Prayer Starter Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him. (Psalm 85:9)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 11th June 2021 Hosea: 11/1,3-4, 8-9 Psalm: Isaiah: 12/2-6 Ephesians: 3/8-12,14-19 John: 19/31-37 The Gospel Proclamation Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” The Second Proclamation Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and

THE MOST SACRED HEART (PS Wk II ) (white) OF JESUS confidence through faith in him.... Prayerful Awareness " Not one of His bones will be broken...." Today the Gospel Proclamation speaks about the death of Jesus Christ. There was a shout of victory from the Cross just before Christ " gave up His Spirit. " It was not the moan of a defeated martyr, nor the sign of a patient resignation. Jesus triumphantly accomplished the work He was sent by His father to fulfill and when He completed it He shouted one word, " Finished!" You can also translate it "Done!" or "Completed!" Then He bowed His heal and "He gave up His Spirit." Jesus' work of redemption was finished.There was nothing else to be added by anyone, anywhere, now or in the future. Jesus in that moment summoned death to serve Him. John does not say, "He died," but that "He gave up His Spirit." John is emphasizing the voluntary nature of the act. Saint Augustine said it correctly, "He gave up His life because He willed it, when He willed it, and as He willed it." You and I cannot say that about our own deaths. Towards our Sonship Jesus volutarily gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. Do we feel like giving ourselves to Jesus? Jesus did all these in love, and without excuses or exclaimations about our faults, He accepted the pain on behalf of our redemption. Let's renew ourselves, to do all what we do in love and to accept pain for the redemption of my brothers and sisters. Prayer Startyer Lord, I do renew my total self giving to you this day and everyday. May I turn to You always and abondon myself to You in every circumstance of life.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 12th June 2021 Isaiah: 61/9-11 Psalm: 1 Sam: 2/1,4-8 Luke: 2/41-51 The First Proclamation And they shall know their seed among the Gentiles, and their offspring in the midst of peoples: all that shall see them, shall know them, that these are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: and with the robe of justice he hath covered me, as a bridegroom decked with a crown, and as a bride adorned with her jewels. .... Responsorial Psalm (1 Samuel 2/1, 4-8) My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord, and my horn is exalted in my God: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies: because I have joyed in thy salvation. The bow of the mighty is overcome, and the weak are girt with strength. They that were full before have hired out themselves for bread: and the hungry are filled, so that the barren hath borne many: and she that had many children is weakened.. .... Prayerful Awareness In the interconnectedness between the Old and the New Testament, we see the fulfillment of what is prophesied in today’s First Proclamation brought about in the New Testament in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is said that the whole Bible is Almighty Creator God’s love story for His Creation, especially man, the pinnacle of Creation with potential to become His Children. Abraham’s (also known as the father of faith) descendants, the

Immaculate Heart of The Blessed Virgin Mary (PS Wk II ) (White)

nation of Israel was the chosen race to bring forth God’s Plan of Salvation for man, and we believers of God’s Only Begotten Son, also become Abraham’s children, by extension, through faith! Through mankind’s redemption brought about by our Lord Jesus Christ’s Annunciation, life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, Lord God made justice spring forth, and praise before all nations! Blessed Mother Mary played a pivotal role in God’s Plan of Salvation, in her willingness to submit herself totally to carry out God’s Will, in utmost faith and total surrender to take life’s ups and downs in her stride as it unfolded, filled with love and joy towards God and His Creation! Mother Mary accepted all that happened in her life without murmuring against God, and pondered everything in her heart. This is why the Church has set aside this Day as Obligatory Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One such example of Mother Mary’s suffering and vulnerability is described in today’s Gospel Proclamation, i.e. the incident where Mother Mary and foster father Saint Joseph had to search high and low for the child Jesus who had stayed back at the Temple without their knowledge! Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us too to take life’s ups and downs with equanimity, emulating the example set by our Blessed Mother, whereby we too can be constantly filled with Love, Joy, and Peace! Demonstrating the interconnectedness between the Old and the New Testament, The Magnificat, the Song of Praise that sprang forth from Mother Mary’s lips at the Annunciation (Luke 1: 46-55) is based on today’s Psalm, Hanna’s song of praise at the birth of her son Samuel, in answer to her prayers for salvation from her predicament of prolonged barrenness! Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 13th June 2021 Ezekiel: 17/22-24 Psalm: 91/2-3,13-16 (92/1-2,12-15) 2 Corinthians: 5/6-10 Mark: 4/26-34

Introduction As we step on to the eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Holy Mother the Church awakens us all alike to build up the kingdom of God with ever new hope. In the very act of becoming a Christian we have been anointed for the mission of building up the kingdom. And by virtue of baptism, all of us have been called to the royal, priestly and prophetic mission of Christ. Through the Eucharistic theme of the day we are being called to build up the kingdom with hope, for to arrive at yet another fresh experience. Even through the day's proclamations we are being led to enter into a fruit bearing life in Christ, proclaiming His glory to be sons and daughters pleasing to Him. Claiming the very gifts bestowed on us by Him, who accomplishes great things out of the tiniest, let us pray for the needed power in building up His kingdom. The First Proclamation The Lord says this: 'From the top of the cedar, from the highest branch I will take a shoot and plant it myself on a very high mountain. I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel. It will sprout branches and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Every kind of bird will live

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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beneath it, every winged creature rest in the shade of its branches. And every tree of the field will learn that I, the Lord, am the one who stunts tall trees and makes the withered green. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.' Prayerful Awareness How wonderful are the plans of the Lord who having created the entire universe rules over it! He who is determined not to allow anything at all to happen to any of it, is always on the alert watching over his creation. In Him is every plan and design to be manifested. Under His power is sprouting, bearing or not bearing fruit, stunting and growing, having as well as not having. Fulfilling His word as it is He makes the universe, the creation carry on it's duty in its own accord. It is good to give thanks to the Lord to make music to Your name, O most high, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your truth in the watches of the night! (Responsorial Psalm) The Second Proclamation We are always full of confidence when we remember that to live in the body means to be exiled from the Lord, going as we do by faith and not by sight – we are full of confidence, I say, and actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord. Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing him. For all the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Prayerful Awareness St. Paul, who proclaimed through his entire life 'whether I live or die I am for the Lord,' is a pleasing disciple of Christ the Lord. How praise worthy is the experience of encouraging the Corinthian community to live in the frame of Divine Son-ship guiding them to identify the human frailty dormant within the frame of human son-ship. 'I actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord.' We too are Christ disciples like St. Paul who committed his life to God alone. As human beings though we are feeble and weak, let us desire of being filled with His power and thus be pleasing to the Lord without remaining in the home of our body. The Gospel Proclamation Jesus said to the crowds: 'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, ….What can we say the kingdom of God is life? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed…..Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding. ….but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone. Prayerful Awareness Our Lord with his only aim in life being the proclamation of the Kingdom, filled with the love of God, invited people to experience in Him the Kingdom of God. Wherever the Will of God and His Authority reigns there is the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ accomplished the Will of God through His entire life. He surrendered Himself at every moment to the Authority of God. And it was with a great longing that He carried the Good News of the kingdom to the people bearing witness with His very life. He shared with them the great mystery of the Kingdom being sensitive to their situational experience and using parables in a way that all could understand. With the parable of the mustard seed that starts at the smallest level but reaches a higher growth He explained the spread of the Kingdom. Addressing His disciples personally He guided them to experience the great mystery of the Kingdom in Him and through Him. Towards us The Kingdom of God is made manifest wherever the Will of God and His Authority abide. Can we say that the Kingdom of God is being made manifest through you and me? How much desirous are we of proclaiming the Kingdom? From the time before were born, from our mother's womb each of us have been chosen for the mission of experiencing and witnessing to the Kingdom of God. How conscious are we of this? Awareness and encouragement given to the Corinthian community by St. Paul apply to us as well. Let us desire to abide in the lord without being confined to the home of our body and pray for the power to make it a reality. Prayer Starter O God, strength of those who hope in You, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without Your mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of Your grace, that in following Your commands we may please You by our resolve and our needs. (Collect)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 14th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 6/1-10 Psalm: 97/1-4 (98/1-4) Mathew: 5/38-42 The First Proclamation As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptance time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way; through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute.... we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed, as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. The Gospel Proclamation You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give you cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.

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Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. Prayerful Awareness “Eye for an eye”, “Tit for Tat” – these were the principles followed in Moses’ time. Earlier vengeance went to extremes and it resulted in not just one killing but mauy. Here we have Jesus perfecting the Law in the Old Testament. The fundamentals He puts before us are: we must not kill or destroy our enemy,. We also must not deprive him of his fundamental rights and personal liberty. “Legitimate defence can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defence of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility. (C.C.C. 2265). Punishment then, in addition to defending public order and protecting people’s safety, has a medicinal purpose: as far as possible it must contribute to the correction of the guilty party.” (C.C.C. 2266). “The hard things Jesus came to teach – to write a letter of kindness to the man who calls you dirty names; to endure for a year the bore inflicted on you for a week; to offer gifts to the man who would steal from you. They no more suited His time than they do ours. He paid for the Sermon on the Mount. They gave Him a stranger’s grave for His burial, as He had a stranger’s stable for His birth.” (Archbishop Futon J. Sheen) Prayer Starter Help us to put a stop to the cycle of violence and make a new chapter of peace. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 15th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 8/1-9 Psalm: 145/1-2,5-9 (146/1-2,5-9 ) Mathew: 5/43-48 The First Proclamation Next, brothers, we will tell you of the grace of God which has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, and how, throughout continual ordeals of hardship, their unfailing joy and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part....; and they had kept imploring us most insistently for the privilege of a share in the fellowship of service to God's holy people... it began by their offering themselves to the Lord and to us at the prompting of the will of God.... also to bring this work of generosity to completion among you. More, as you are rich in everything-faith, eloquence, understanding, concern for everything, and love for us too -- then make sure that you excel in this work of generosity too... testing the genuineness of your love against the concern of others. You are well aware of the generosity which our Lord Jesus Christ had, that, although he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you should become rich through his poverty. Fix your gaze on Jesus Thank You Lord for today's nourishing Word given to us; we need this moment by moment coming of You, in to our lives! Come Holy Spirit of God, constantly guide, orient and empower us to receive The Word in to our lives... Did you get the paradoxical statement about the Churches of Macedonia? That 'their unfailing joy and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part'? What would you normally understand

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from intense poverty causing or resulting in an overflow of wealth of generosity? Our consumerism oriented, scarcity based mind-set would ridicule such a statement. When you are intensely poor, do not have sufficiently for even your own needs, when you yourself go begging, how can you be over-flowingly generous? This begs the question as to what 'true richness' is! Who is truly rich; someone who has everything s/he needs, but is never satisfied, or someone who is easily satisfied with basic needs met, having brought cravings(wants) under control. The inner disposition of being 'Alpa ichcha' (as it is called in Sinhala) is truly a blessed state of being, which appears to be what the apostle is applauding the Churches of Macedonia to be in. In this mind-state, you are truly free from the ever debilitating drain of selfish/ego wants and needs, so that you could be of service; can give/receive/ bind and experience love! And this is exactly what the Christ did, showing us the path to true richness and abiding in love! Are we ready to follow and experience the same? Or are we to continue to allow our own cravings, compulsions and drive to control us causing the miserable and pitiful life experiences most of us constantly create for ourselves? Let's choose after listening to Jesus, ''...I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good,...You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.' Prayer Starter Thank You Lord Jesus, for I think I understand just that little bit of what You reveal...and I choose to follow You; to deny myself, take up my cross, and progress towards being lifted up...!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

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Wednesday 16th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 9/6-11 Psalm: 111/1-4,9 (112/1-4,9) Mathew: 6/1-6,16-18 The First Proclamation The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us. The Gospel Proclamation “....But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. .... Prayerful Awareness Today's first proclamation reminds us of how pleasing it is for God to help others with a joyful heart. Those who give generously is likely to receive generosity in return. God blesses generous people. Those blessings take

many forms it could be sufficiency in material things such as food and clothing, but it can also mean the kind of contentment that comes from living a Christ-centered life. It is easy for a person who experiences the Kingdom of God to be generous because he is not a slave to money and possessions . God enriches them further so that the glory of God may be manifested in them. For another thing, people love generous people, so generous people will have more friends than stingy people. Some of those friends will find ways to do something nice for the generous person. It is also true, of course, that some will try to take advantage of the generous person, so we need to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Gaze on Jesus When we gaze at Jesus, it is clear that His heart was full of faith in God. What mattered to Jesus was not the praise, rewards and fame of the public but the Will of God and His approval. Jesus warns us not to give alms or pray or fast in order to be approved by others as being righteous. Most important thing for God is the heart of the person offering the prayer. If it is to garner human favor, it won’t garner God’s favor. Towards us What is the purpose of our prayers, almsgiving and fasting? Has these actions deepened our relationship with God? If not, it is time to repent and turn around. Prayer Starter Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.... Holy and awesome is His name....

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 17th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 11/1-11 Psalm: 110/1-4,7-8 ( 111/1-4,7-8 ) Mathew: 6/7-15 The First Proclamation I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough. I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. I may be untrained in speech, but not in knowledge; certainly in every way and in all things we have made this evident to you.... So I refrained and will continue to refrain from burdening you in any way. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boast of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! The Gospel Proclamation When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

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And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Prayerful Awareness The Lord’s prayer is the best example of living life in the moment. To start the day enunciating this prayer, means a deep spiritual awakening to the presence of God. It is an equivalent to reminding ourselves of God’s promises. Christ owned to the promises of God in His prayers. In the Lord’s prayer, we give glory to God, recenter our will to His Will, ask for forgiveness, intervene for the sins of others, ask for deliverance from the works of evil, surrender and ask God to make way for our needs; all perfectly balanced to a simple prayer. As we say this prayer, let us enter into Christ’s own human awareness of the need to have the providence of the Almighty Father everyday. Sometimes we do not find it important to make time to pray or rely on God. Instead we trust in our own abilities to make it through the day. It is when our abilities eventually let us down, we run back to God. Instead of spending so much time worrying and ‘figuring out’ things, in saying this prayer we take our daily clutter to God and in turn humble ourselves before God saying: ‘We do not know how we can manage this, Lord. But we trust that You do and You will do what’s best.’ Prayer Starter Lord, create a never replenishing enthusiasm within me to work for Your Kingdom and keep all my worries for tomorrow, away from my present awakening to do Your Will. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Friday 18th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 11/18, 21-30 Psalm: 33/2-7 ( 34/1-6 ) Mathew: 6/19-23 The First Proclamation Since many boast of worldly things, I too will boast. But whatever anyone dares to boast of –I am speaking as a fool - I also dare to boast of that....If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The Gospel Proclamation Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, …For where your treasure is, there will be your heart be also. …but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Prayerful Awareness

The proclamations of the day makes a comparison between what is worldly and what is heavenly. They speak of storing treasures on earth and in heaven. From a worldly perspective St. Paul could boast of many worldly gifts he had been endowed with. Yet he wishes to boast of his weakness in suffering as a fool for the sake of Christ which he considers a great treasure while the Gospel proclamation invites us to consider where our treasure is. The worldly view is to grow higher in wealth, status, power and position. The world admires those who have achieved such success while looking down on those who are weak, the poor, the disabled, the handicapped and the vulnerable which contradicts the view of St. Paul. As a man of a high social standard, St. Paul utilized all his human resources and experience for the purpose of Christ after his encounter

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with the Lord. His status as a Pharisee was helpful in convincing the other Pharisees of the same mentality, his expertise in tent making was used to make his living while engaged in preaching and his knowledge in Greek and other languages was an aid in converting people of other tongues which shows that the worldly treasures we receive are not for our own good but for the benefit of others. We live in a throwaway culture. Modern technology has provided us with many gadgets that we could use and throw away once they are of no use and we treat people also in the same manner. We love beauty and despise the ugly and disfigured. Yet God has given us eyes to see both and respect both equally. We forget that we worship a disfigured Christ hanging on the cross. It is the same Christ that is in each human being whoever that person may be. If our eyes are sound we will be able to see the world with the eyes of God. Normal tendency for us is to run away from suffering. The time has come to educate and train ourselves and others to be capable of facing suffering and of living the experience of limitation – to encourage sensitivity to human illness so that our hearts will not grow cold and be anesthetized to the pain of others. Creation itself provides a splendid example as expressed here. 'I saw a garden the other day, each flower special in its own way. For while they bloomed each on their own, it was together that their beauty shone. If one would need more light or air. The others would kneel and so would share. If one would wither for lack of rain, the tears of the others would stem the pain. And so together the flowers grew, in strength and love their life time through. – Margie Nutter. Prayer Starter Lord, open my eyes that I may see!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Saturday 19th June 2021 2 Corinthians: 12/1-10 Psalm: 33/8-13 (34/7-12 ) Mathew: 6/24-34 The Gospel Proclamation “No one can be a slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “This is why I tell you not to be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not sow seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? “And why worry about clothes? Look how the wildflowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers.... Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned about everything else with the Kingdom of God” Our sonship Pubuduwa (Renewal) is a way of life that calls us to a complete dependance on God. Renewed ways of life assist us to empty from our worries, from the past, and fears about the future by committing our life to Jesus as Lord and Master. With a strengthened relationship with Christ, we live in His grace, harmonizing our life with simplicity. 2 Corinthians 2: 9 say “My grace is all you need, for my power

St. Romuald,Abbot (PS Wk III ) (Green/White)

is greatest when you are weak, … be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me”. To live the challenge of the word Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is through prayer that we can sustain our life in the Spirit. A short guide to Prayer Step 1 : In solitude sitting in a comfortable posture read meditatively John 14: 16 – 17. Repeat reading to confirm in you the words, Holy Spirit in you and with you. Step 2 : While breathing mindfully become aware of the breathing patterns. Which you can co-relate to the action of the Holy Spirit in you. Step 3 : Choose one activity that happens around you and pay attention to that activity. That can be a sound or the wind. Repeat the words, “Holy Spirit is with me; I am in the Holy Spirit.” Step 4 : At these stages’ thoughts will intrude. Without trying to remove the thoughts sing an appropriate hymn to the Holy Spirit to come and hover over and overshadow your thoughts. Holy Spirit does not condemn you. However, you can have a conversation with the Holy Spirit who is your guide, helper, consoler, counselor, and advocate. He will guide you to see the true nature of your thoughts. Step 5 : Give sufficient time to be in conversation with the Holy Spirit and listen to what He says through a thought, a feeling, or a vision. Discern the word you encounter in the thought, the feeling or the vision. If it is from the Holy Spirit, that is a manifestation of Jesus the word. Continue to repent and pray in the Spirit, so that you can surrender your life to the Lord at the foot of the Cross..

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 20th June 2021 Job: 38/1,8-11 Psalm: 106/23-26, 28-31 (107/23-26,28-31) 2 Corinthians: 5/14-17 Mark: 4/35-41 Introduction Holy Mother the Church has declared today as Pope's day. And the theme for the day is "Joyful Servant Leader." Let us turn to the day's proclamations. Since small days we have been taught and learnt many truths concerning our faith that we have been trying to be faithful to most of the time. The foundation for all that has been taught by the living tradition of the Church over a period of two thousand years, is the faith experience of sharing the redemptive good news of Christ that we have experienced. Our response to this faith experience as a people of God is called Liturgy. Having experienced an inner liberation as individuals, families and communities if we fail to direct it towards a social transformation it can remain at the level of a mere ritual. It is only the people engaged in a faith journey who will be capable of experiencing the love, security and the saving power of God through every daily occurrence. Thus Faith is a power, a light, a gift and a journey. The First Proclamation From the heart of tempest the Lord gave Job his answer. He said: Who spent up the sea behind closed doors when it leapt tumultuous out of the womb, when I wrapped it in a robe of mist and made black clouds its swaddling bands; when I marked

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Pope's Day (PS Wk IV ) (Green)

the bounds it was not to cross and made it fast with a bolted gate? Come thus far, I said, and farther: here your proud waves shall break. Prayerful Awareness Job was a God fearing man. He avoided sin, was disciplinary and lived in the midst of every possible luxury and comfort. Yet, in a short time, as if caught in a massive storm he gradually lost all his possessions. The book of Job mentions that even during such a time he never allowed the faith he had in God to relinquish but depending on God alone he led his life conversing with and praying to God. The first proclamation gives the answer Job receives from God. It is made quite clear through this proclamation that man should have a deep faith relationship with God not because he is surrounded by every possible luxury and comfort but irrespective of them we have no other refuge other than Him and His abiding presence with us at all times. Just as in the midst of a huge storm in life Job experienced God's love and providence, today, Jesus is inviting us as well to totally depend on God with a firm faith even in our life storms, that is, in the midst of problems and struggles we are faced with. The Gospel Proclamation With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' ..Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are going down!' And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Be calm!' And

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?' Prayerful Awareness It is most terrifying for us to be in a boat caught in a storm in the middle of the sea since at such moments there is no one to get help from or depend on and no way of saving oneself. The disciples too faced a similar experience. It is quite reasonable for them to feel frightened and confused. Yet it is as if they had forgotten that the One who could accomplish anything and everything was with them. How many could be the incidents and experiences similar to this even in our life? Where is our faith when we are threatened with insecurity, when the financial and personal resources we depend on are no more with us, when our hopes crumble down most unexpectedly, in our problems and struggle when we see no human solution within our sight? The Lord abiding with us is the Author of the entire universe and one who rules over everything, the God Almighty with whom nothing is impossible. Therefore he poses the same question even at us. "How is it that you have no faith?" So, wherever we are and whatever happens let us believe that the Lord is alive and he is with us and that his love is boundless. Let us pray for the power to be firm and steadfast in our faith. The Second Proclamation

Prayerful Awareness With the words, "The reason Christ died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised to life for them" St. Paul adds a true objective for Christian living. Similarly with the saying, "For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here," he encourages his community as to how a Christian should behave in face of life problems and struggles. When we reflect on our own lives how enlightening have these revelations been to us? Towards our son-ship Today we are being led to be conscious of the position we are in, in our faith journey. The Lord who was present in the midst of the storm is also alive with us today. Let us gaze on for a moment at the crucified Christ. Even though for the human mind and intelligence everything seemed futile and a failure, how challenging is the firm faith the Lord had in Abba Father? In the same vein, the faith of our Blessed Mother is a model and a challenge to us. Let us reflect on the life of the present pope. Even in face of death threats, with a steadfast faith he is dutifully engaged in accomplishing his mission fearlessly and joyfully. The Holy Spirit calls us as well, as a people of God to engage in a faith journey experiencing the security of God's love and providence. Prayer Starter

The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should The Lord is my light and my salbe dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live vation; whom shall I fear? The Lord no longer for themselves, but for him is the stronghold of my life; of whom who died and was raised to life for shall I be afraid? (Psalm :27/1) them. …..And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation,... "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Monday 21st June 2021 Genesis: 12/1-9 Psalm: 32/12-13,18-20, 22 (33/12-13 ) Mathew: 7/1-5 The First Proclamation Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram went, as the Lord had told him;...Abram, was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered,... At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, ,who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb. The Gospel Proclamation “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor,

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (PS Wk IV ) (White)

‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. Prayerful Awareness There is hardly anyone who has not been guilty of or suffered form some grave misjudgment. Again and again people have been guilty of the most notorious moral judgements. “Labrador Spar, a kind of crystal, is dull and without luster. If it is turned round and round, and here and there, it will suddenly come into a position where the light strikes it in a certain way and it will sparkle with flashing beauty. People are like that. “They may seem unlovely simply because we do not know the whole person. Everyone has something good in him or her. Our task is not to condemn, and to judge by the superficial unloveliness, but to look for the underlying beauty. That is what we would have others do to us, and that is what we must do to them. (The New Daily Study Bible). “The baser sins of the poor create public burdens, such as social service and prisons, and are frowned upon; but the respectable sins, such as corruption in high public office, disloyalty to country, teaching of evil in universities, are excused, ignored or even praised as virtues. Our Lord here implied that He even regarded the respectable sins as more odious than those which society reproved. He never condemned those whom society condemned. But He did condemn those who sinned and who denied that they; were sinners.” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen) Prayer Starter Help us to refrain from judging. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 22nd June 2021

St. Paulinus of Nola, Sts. John Fisher & Thomas More, Martyrs (Green/White/Red)

Genesis: 13/2,5-18 Psalm: 14/2-5 (15/1-5) Mathew: 7/6,12-14 The Gospel Proclamation “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.... “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Gaze at Jesus Our Lord Jesus is the most excellent and superior teacher of all ages. All what He teaches and does are exact reflections of His Father God’s love and intelligence. May be in mountain tops or beside the river Jordan in solitude Jesus communes with Father God and the truths are revealed. In turn the people were taught from moment to moment in order to build them up spiritually. While preaching the Good News He puts these truths in the simple form called parables. This helps the people to understand well and lead lives which are pleasing to God and fellow men. In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents three most important teachings we need to add to our lives on our journey to acquire the everlasting life. Pearls are priceless and very precious and they are used to beautify persons and places. In the same manner holiness is a very precious jewel that radiates the beauty of God’s truth, goodness and glory. These qualities could be cultivated if

people are only wiling to embrace or otherwise they would be like throwing pearls in front of swine for they may trample them. Such men cannot value what is holy and sacred. Then, there is a teaching (Law) which comes form the Old Testament. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Jesus raised this moral law to a new level of fulfillment and perfection. This is called the golden rule of Jesus. Also this is the basis of a harmonious, peaceful society where each one respects the rights and dignity of others. The third truth concerns the narrow gate that leads to life and the wide gate that leads to destruction. The struggles, the sufferings and tension lead to success and growth while an easy and effortless life leads to failure and destruction. We Christians need to go through sufferings and draw-backs. We need to accept or carry our cross and face life boldly as Jesus did. There is no crown without a cross. We could experience the fullness of life with God in heaven only having gone through the sufferings and struggles of the present life. Towards me Where do I stand with regard to these three teachings of Jesus? Do I take them seriously and give due place to moral purity such as a sound relationship with God, reading the Word of God daily, receiving the Eucharist, observing the commandments and observing the call to be just and care for the poor, to love my enemies and to be reconciled. Do I accept suffering and draw-backs as they come through the narrow gate? Prayer Starter Thank You Holy Spirit for making me aware of some very important teachings revealed by Jesus. Enlighten me to embrace these teachings in order to make use of them to lead a life pleasing to God and His followers. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 23rd June 2021 Genesis: 15/1-12,17-18 Psalm: 104/1-4,6-9 (105/1-4,6-9) Mathew: 7/15-20 Vigil Mass of The Nativity of St. John The Baptist Jeremiah: 1/4-10 Psalm: 70/1-6,15,17 (71/1-6,15,17 ) 1 Peter 1/8-12 Luke: 1/5-17 The Gospel Proclamation Jesus said beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Prayerful Awareness Jesus warned about false teachers. He said they may come as false prophets (pretending to be holy) and some may come in clothing of sheep, but inside they are ravening wolves waiting to attack and devour the innocent. In the days of Jesus, this saying was more relevant to the High priests, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who preached the Word of God to the people and enforced the laws on the innocent and the poor without love, but themselves enjoying privileges at the expense of the poor. This is why Jesus called them hypocrites. Today, we may observe such in the sectors identified as cults, but often

(PS Wk IV ) (Green/White)

they could come from prominent religious establishments as well, enforcing strict rules on the poor and the destitute. Sometimes it may be often hard to find the Truth even in popular religious circles. It is easy for anyone of us to end up on the broad path of the world if we don’t have a discerning heart. Jesus left the work He started to be continued by His Disciples and followers of His Word. Book of Acts shows what kind of lives they lived following Jesus’ Commandments, loving each other as Jesus loved and sharing what they had with each other. It is not easy to practice this kind of life, as the world is full of sin and waiting to attack and devour the innocent and the Truthful. This is why the Lord said, “Beware of them” and “You will know them by their fruits”. Disciples of the Lord and the followers of Lord’s Word are called to be strong, as Jesus Himself has faced all this. We are called to be strong in our Faith in Lord Jesus to protect and strengthen us, continue to follow His Commandments and without fear to teach everyone to obey everything Jesus has commanded, as Lord promised to be with us till the end of our lives (Math. 28: 20). First Reading guides us to the life of Abram who lived a life pleasing to God following God’s instructions, thus fulfilling the Will of God. He was well connected to God as His Servant, yet able to make his request, through the close relationship he had with God. We too are called to come into a close relationship with God the Father our Creator because of our relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord, following His commandments. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, help us to live pious lives following all your commandments and receive the Spirit of God to be with us forever.....

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Thursday 24th June 2021

The Nativity of St. John The Baptist

Isaiah: 49/1-6 Psalm: 138/1-3,13-15 (139/1-3,13-15) Acts: 13/22-26 Luke: 1/57-66,80 The Gospel Proclamation The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard how wonderfully good the Lord had been to her, and they all rejoiced with her. When the baby was a week old, they came to circumcise him, and they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But his mother said, “No! His name is to be John.” They said to her, “But you have no relatives with that name!” Then they made signs to his father, asking him what name he would like the boy to have. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” How surprised they all were! At that moment Zechariah was able to speak again, and he started praising God. … Everyone who heard of it thought about it and asked, “What is this child going to be?” For it was plain that the Lord's power was upon him. The child grew and developed in body and spirit.... Prayerful Awareness Today’s focus is the Nativity of John the Baptist. It is also a good time to look back to the beginning, when the world was only a place of desolate darkness (Genesis 1: 1-3). Into that desolate darkness God spoke the word that brought light and the creation emerged. When God created the world, it was complete with divine providence and love. In that man was given the moral responsibility over creation with

(PS WkIV ) (White)

a mindset for creativity, mindfulness, and with the power to initiate. God also gave Man the gift of “free will”. Then begins the betrayal of man of the divine purpose from the very hub of the creation, the Garden of Eden. Thereafter, we find Biblical personalities either submitting or betraying the plan of God. Therefore, it is worth reflecting on the first three readings today from Isaiah, Psalms and the Acts that specifically identify God’s call to man to be proactive members to the salvation mission. In Isaiah, he says, “Listen to me, distant nations, you people who live far away! Before I was born, the LORD chose me and appointed me to be his servant.” Psalm 139 says, “You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there — you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.” The Acts of the apostles 13: 22 describe the appointing of David as King, “After removing him, God made David their king. This is what God said about him: ‘I have found that David son of Jesse is the kind of man I like, a man who will do all I want him to do.” Finally, in the Gospel, when Elizabeth and Zachariah were asked what name to give their son, they both say it is to be John, meaning 'graced by God'. Prayer Starter Yes Lord, we desire to live the grace that You have bestowed upon us. Let us in return become an instrument to execute Your plan for humanity.

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Friday 25th June 2021

(PS WkIV ) ( Green )

Genesis: 17/1,9-10,1522 Psalm: 127/1-5 ( 128/1-5 ) Mathew: 8/1-4 The First Proclamation When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty ; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, ...I will surely bless him; .....But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” ... The Gospel Proclamation When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed

him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Prayerful Awareness In Palestine in the time of Jesus leprosy was a dreaded disease. Lepers lived outside the city. But this particular leper came to Jesus with confidence. He had no doubt that, if Jesus willed, Jesus could make him clean. He had perfect confidence in Jesus' willingness to welcome the man anyone else would have driven away. He had perfect confidence in Jesus' power. But this man was sure that Jesus could do what no one else could do. The leper showed humility. He did not demand healing; he only said, "If you will, you can cleanse me." The leper came with reverence, because he knew that in the presence of Jesus he was in the presence of God. This story in the Gospel tells us that no man need ever feel himself too unclean to come to Jesus Christ or feel himself incurable in body or unforgivable in soul while Jesus Christ is there, waiting for him with open arms. It also so tells the believer that it is the humble heart which is conscious of nothing but its need, that finds its way to Christ. Prayer Starter Dear Lord, however clean I may be seen by the world on the outside You know how unclean I am within. Please grant me the grace to be humble like the leper in this story and come to You in humility, confidence and reverence and ask for Your mercy and healing of my mind, soul and body. Amen

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Saturday 26th June 2021 Genesis: 18/1-15 Psalm:Luke: 1/46-50, 53-55 Mathew: 8/5-17

The Gospel Proclamation “When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, … …And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour... Prayerful Awareness Let us read the Scripture today carefully. In the first proclamation, we see Abraham the father of faith and his wife given a promise (a Word from God) and yet Sarah does not believe, she laughs at the

(PS Wk IV ) (Green/White)

unbelievable promise. Her faith was not as strong as Abraham, so she could not accept the unseen and the impossible according to her experience and knowledge. But when we read the Gospel proclamation today, we see an unlikely person with great faith, the centurion. He did not even want Jesus to come and see his servant, he just wanted Jesus to speak the words. He believed that Jesus’ words are powerful enough and Jesus did not even have to go to his house to cure his servant. It’s important to note that the centurion had no way of knowing that his servant had been cured when Jesus spoke the words until he went home or met someone with the news. So, he had to believe it even though he did not see it. Towards us As we reflected according to the scripture today, let us ask ourselves, are we like Sarah or like the Centurion. Are we capable of believing that God will fulfil God's promises, or are we unable to accept the unseen and be patient until the time comes? Let us ask God for the gift of faith more and more so that we may be able to believe in God’s promises and be patient. Prayer Starter Dear Lord, fill me with Thy Holy Spirit, increase my faith to believe in Thy words and promises in impossible and in uncertain situations.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Sunday 27th June 2021 Wisdom: 1/13-15,2/2324 Psalm: 29/ 2,4-6,11-13 (30/ 1,3-5,10-12 ) 2 Corinthians: 8/7,9,1315 Mark: 5/21-43 (or 2124,35-43) Introduction Today Holy Mother the Church presents us the theme "Let us be concerned of the message received through the Word of God." Accordingly, when we reflect on the Gospel, the Word of God brings strength and healing to our lives. Really the Word of God should be the guide-book for our life. When the Word of God is made manifest, healings take place, lives are renewed, the old evil habits dispelled, people get back to the right track to take the correct path. Thus, the Word of God is a proclamation of love. And hence, let us make room for God allowing the Holy Spirit to change us and renew us. Let us listen and act accordingly that the Lord will be made manifest through us. Let us offer our wholehearted welcome and worship to Him and enter into prayer pleading with the Lord for the much needed power. The First Proclamation Death was not God's doing, he takes no pleasure in the extinction of the living. To be – for this he created all; the world's created things have health in them, in them no fatal poison can be found, and Hades holds no power on earth; for virtue is undying. Yet God did make man imperishable, he made him in the image of his own nature; it was

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

(PS Wk I) (Green)

the devil's envy that brought death into the world, as those who are his partners will discover. Prayerful Awareness In the Greek social context of the day, idol worship was paramount for which even the people of God were much attracted to it. And they were confined within the walls of sin, oppression, problem and struggle. It was in such an era that this was written to kindle the faith and belief of the people of God. Further, to the people fallen victims to sin, following the way of the Lord God is shown as the correct path to take. Where love reigns there is no room for sin. Everything that God has created is good. Since man was given a free will it is he who has to decide which path to take – whether to walk in the correct path or not for which he needs the wisdom of God or giving in to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And, he will cease being drawn into sin. The one who becomes righteous and leads a righteous life will have no fear of death. Life does not end with death since the soul is immortal. The righteous and the just will win eternal life. Let us also surrender to the love of God and claim the inheritance of eternal life. The Second Proclamation You always have the most of everything – of faith, of eloquence, of understanding, of keenness for any cause, and the biggest share of our affection – so we expect you to put the most into this work of mercy too. Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty. … Prayerful Awareness The Lord Jesus burned with great

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zeal for the Kingdom of God. He truly loved God, believed in Him and proclaimed His Word purely out of His love for God. On this account He emptied Himself taking the form of a servant, being one among the poorest of the poor was born in a stable and became a man like one of us. "Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself taking the form of a servant" (Phil. 2:6-7). He went in search of the physically, mentally and spiritually poor. St. Paul's exhortation to his community is to be filled with the love of God and offer the same love to the other in loving and being charitable. Similarly, it is an invitation to lift up the poor out of love and charity. Let us pray to the Lord to grace us with the power to be so. The Gospel Proclamation When Jesus crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. …. Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.' Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.' Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; … She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the cloak. …And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint... he turned them all out and, taking with him the child's father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha, kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you get up.'

The little girl got up at once and began to walk about. She was twelve years old. …. Prayerful Awareness Jairus was a religious leader. He was not a priest but a lay leader in the synagogue. He comes to meet Jesus because his daughter was desperately ill. Our lord comes to his house to cure her. On His way when a woman who had been suffering from a haemorrage for twelve years touches His cloak, she receives instant healing. Even when a crowd was pressing around He felt that the power of love had gone out from Him. He says to the woman, 'My daughter, your faith has restored you to health; go in peace.' Moreover, He raises the daughter of Jairus from death. An immense power and love was in Him, capable of not only freeing people from spiritual, mental and physical sickness but also of raising them from the dead. The love of God changes everything and brings in new life. Wherever the love of God flows down there is a new creation. Therefore, let us constantly follow our Lord Jesus Christ, experience new life and keep open our eyes of faith. Towards our son-ship The love of God dispels fear, heals the sick and gives life to the dead souls. Therefore, let us be filled with His love, and allow the Lord to heal us. If we are sick not only physically but mentally and spiritually, but have distanced ourselves from God due to sin let us repent and turn from where we are and move towards conversion. Also let us take heart to help the poor with generous and joyful hearts. As shown by St. Paul to the Corinthian community and also in keeping with the words and deeds of Christ let us share, love and be united with the poor. Let us enter into prayer asking for the strength to do so.

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Monday 28th June 2021

St.Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr (PS Wk I ) (Red)

Genesis: 18/16-33 Psalm: 102/1-4,8-11 (103/1-4,8-11) Mathew: 8/18-22 Vigil Mass of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles Acts: 3/1-10 Psalm: 18/2-5 (19/1-8) Galatians: 1/11-20 John: 21/15-19

cause and begged to be given an opportunity to prove that a Christian strong in his belief in one true God, could face the persecutor's most cruel moments. St. Irenaeus (c.130-c.200) was a man who was fully alive and thus gave glory to God. How can we accomplish this task? Just as St. Irenaeus realized, our life is a gift from God. We are sent to this earth to accomplish a certain task for which purpose God has equipped us with different skills and capabilities. So the first step would be to know our strengths and weaknesses and humbly accept them. St. Irenaeus was a man The Gospel Proclamation of intelligence and wisdom. And along with his writing skill he safeguarded the '…A scribe came up and said to unity of belief in the face of the Gnostic Jesus, "Teacher, I will follow you heretics of his time (c. 130-c.200). What wherever you go." And Jesus said gifts have I received with which to meet to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds the needs of the times? To be a person of the air have nests; but the Son of fully alive as a true follower of Christ, man has nowhere to lay his head." freeing ourselves of all attachments is a Another of the disciples said to him, dire necessity. Once we are free to live "Follow me, and leave the dead to for Christ, being rooted in Him we are bury their own dead." able to bear fruit so much as to make any Prayerful Awareness sacrifice for the sake of Christ even to Through the Gospel proclamation lay down our life as the martyrs did of Jesus seems to be hinting at the cost which St. Irenaeus is a great example. of discipleship. In deciding to follow The way is ultimately the way of the Christ we are supposed to leave every- cross, the other centered life with which thing behind, let go of every comfort we could work for the redemption of and security as well as all our attach- others as well as mediate for them. As presented in the first proclamaments be they things, family or friends. Today we celebrate the memorial of St. tion Abraham was able to intercede for Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr whose Sodom and Gomorrah because of his life was compatible with the above faith life and its climax, his readiness to passage. "Man fully alive is God's sacrifice his own son. Give till it hurts glory" is a famous saying of him. Let says Mother Teresa. Lord Jesus, the meus reflect and see how he met with and diator between God and man being fully lived out the great demand of Christian human provided us the supreme model disciple-ship. In following the Lord he of sacrifice. It is as if He forgot Himself went to the extent of refusing the plea on the cross. Let us be conscious of the of his family to give in to the command sacrificial aspect involved even in our of the Emperor Diocletian in order to daily mundane tasks so that we may give save his life. When he was sentenced glory to God at all times. Inspire us O to be drowned in the river he said the Holy Spirit. sentence was not fitting for the worthy "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Tuesday 29th June 2021 Acts: 12/1-11 Psalm: 33/2-9 (34/1-4) 2 Timothy: 4/6-8,17-18 Mathew: 16/13-19 The First Proclamation ..... While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him....Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. .... “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peter went out and followed him; ....when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” The Second Proclamation As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing..... The Gospel Proclamation

Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles (PS Wk I ) (Red)

not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,.... Prayerful Awareness What a good news it is that the Almighty Father has revealed the Messiah to a Fishermen, thus proving that wisdom comes not from knowledge but by living in Christ. Peter was the same disciple who denied Christ three times. Yet his transformation was so much that he retained the anointing of being the rock on which the church will be built. Even while he was in hiding, Christ did not abandon him. Peter was blessed to encounter the Risen Lord. He is proof that the Lord does not think in terms of what we deserve for our sins. But what we choose to do upon encountering him and realizing our sins. The Lord saw Peter’s heart. The deep sense of regret that he had and the fear that has brought him into hiding. Even prisons could not contain the man thus saved by the Lord. Towards us Peter is a believer who stumbled in his faith, and should remind all of us that we too are capable of stumbling. It is why we rely on the Holy Spirit who does not error. Living a life of renewal transforms us to how God wants us to be. The transformation the Spirit brought in Peter, made him to a person who boldly did things he was once fearful of. Today we also celebrate the feast of St. Paul. One encounter with the Risen Lord and he travelled region to region emptied of his ambitions, proclaiming the Good News despite the persecutions. They witnessed to Christ and trusted in the promises of the Lord. And how the Lord blessed them! Let us too like Peter and Paul, having been saved by the Lord, proclaim and bear witness to the good news! Prayer Starter

...... He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you Lord, may I trust in Your promises are Peter, and on this rock I will build and always remember my worth in being my church, and the gates of Hades will a redeemed sinner. Amen. "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 30th June 2021 Genesis: 21/5,8-20 Psalm: 33/7-13 (33/6-7,9-11) Mathew: 8/28-34 The Gospel Proclamation When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Fix your gaze on Jesus Today's Gospel proclamation is about Jesus healing two demon-possessed people. It was a moment of the glorious proclamation of the Sonhood of God in Christ. This miracle performed by Christ just before the hour of His glory, reveals His Sonship of God. The unclean spirit addresses Jesus as the Son of God. Even the unclean spirits recognized that Jesus was the Son of God, who came from heaven. They also knew about the hour when Jesus would be glorified. A hint of final judgment is reflected in the words that

First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church (PS Wk I ) (Green/Red) the unclean spirit said. The devil knew the time and tries to challenge the Son of God. The Gospel clearly states that when the moment of Jesus comes, Satan’s power will be shattered, but it will continue evil work to sabotage the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus was well aware of the things of the world. He made it His sole mission to do the Will of the Father and was committed in doing it continually. He worked tirelessly to bring all mankind into a relationship with God the Father, and He did not abandon even one of them, in trying to bring them to the Father. Let us turn to us. Satan who has been overthrown by the power of the Risen Christ, is a defeated enemy, but continues to interfere with the dawn of God’s Kingdom, until the Second Coming. To what extent has the proclamation of the Kingdom of God in our congregation been hampered by division, hatred, vengeance, anger, wrath, jealousy, and desire to outdo one another? Therefore, let us pray with pride as Sons and Daughters of God who bind all dark and evil forces and put them to the bottom of the abyss by the power of the blood of Christ in this resurrected age. The First Reading reveals the eviction of Hagar and Ishmael. It highlights the importance of having hope and faith in God’s promises. It shows us that God has a plan for everything and that God is full of Love and Mercy and fulfills all His promises. Prayer Starter Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of Your resurrection, cast out all sinful darkness into the abyss, and expel all evil spirits by the power of Your blood, and give us the joy of Your resurrection. O God who turns all evil into good, please guide us to allow Your plan for us. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

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