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Published by admin, 2021-10-03 14:31:41

Walk in the Spirit October 2021

Published by Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

August 2021
Issue 348

Commencement March 1992

"Jesus Christ is Lord"

ISSN 1391-5967

Publication:
Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

Kithu Dana Pubuduwa

SHARING ON PRAYER
August 2021

‘Blessed art Thou among women’-
Why blessed above the rest of the women
– A women is more “feelings” oriented
than a man. Here is the Blessed Moth-
er, whose maternal instincts suffered
deprivation and in a sense dispossession,
when she was as if it were, ‘brazenly’
cold-shouldered by a Son who was ev-
erything to her. In this ‘emptiness’ she
is led by the Holy Spirit to enter into the
very experience of Jesus in His ‘total
emptying’ and dispossession.

No woman would have suffered
what she suffered from the apparent es-
trangement from the Son.

She is truly ‘Blessed’.

Fr. Siri Oscar Abayaratne

1

Sunday 1st August 2021 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

(PS Wk II) (Green)

Exodus: 16/2-4,12-15 to your heart's content. Then you
Psalm: 77/3-4,23-25,54 will learn that I, the Lord am your
God."' And so it came about: quails
(78/3-4,23-25,54 ) flew up in the evening, and they
Ephesians: 4/17,20-24 covered the camp; in the morn-
John: 6/24-35 ing there was a coating of dew all
round the camp. When the coating
Introduction of dew lifted, there on the surface
Several fundamental needs are to of the desert was a thing delicate,
be fulfilled for the existence of man powdery, as fine as hoarfrost on the
on earth of which food is of special ground. When they saw this, the
importance. Even in reading the day's sons of Israel said to one another,
proclamations we find the need for 'What is that?' …'That' said Moses
food for man. In the Exodus journey to them 'is the bread the Lord gives
of the Old Testament that we medi- you to eat.'
tate on we see how the people who
totally depended on God grumbled Prayerful Awareness
about their lack of food. In the Gos-
pel Proclamation when the people, The constant presence of God was
having their human need fulfilled, with His chosen people, Israel. Yet in
come in search of the Lord Jesus, moments of experiencing hardship
He directs them to hunger for the and lack they could not recognize
life-giving bread. Thus today we are His presence with them. Due to their
led to focus on the Life giving bread very unbelief throughout the desert
received through Him which surpass- journey they complained and grum-
es the fulfillment of physical hunger bled against God which indicated
and being satisfied with human food. that they preferred captivity rather
During the Eucharistic Celebra- than freedom. Similarly we can see
tion too receiving bread and wine their lack of faith in the providence of
transformed into the precious body God. Yet, we find in the Proclamation
and blood of the Lord Himself, leads how God intervenes in spite of their
us to focus on the nourishment pro- lack of faith.
vided by God. The very life of His
Son was offered as a sacrifice that The Gospel Proclamation
we may be passed over to eternal
life. Therefore, let us reflect on the ….'I tell you most solemnly, you
Word of God today with a heart full are not looking for me because you
of longing for this particular food. have seen the signs but because you
had all the bread you wanted to eat.
The First Proclamation Do not work for food that cannot
'...I have the heard the com- last, but work for food that endures
plaints of the sons of Israel. Say to eternal life, the kind of food the
this to them, "Between the two Son of Man is offering you, for on
evenings you shall eat meat, and in him the Father, God himself, has set
the morning you shall have bread his seal.' ….'I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never be
hungry; he who believes in me will
never thirst.'

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

2

Focusing on the Lord to drink? One is able to experience
this only by moving into a spiritual
'You are not looking for me be- renewal as stated by St. Paul himself.
cause you have seen the signs but He witnessed this through his own
because you had all the bread you lifestyle which was certainly the expe-
wanted to eat.' The response to the rience of first seeking the Kingdom of
question of the multitudes that come God. As Christ's disciples let us also
in search of Jesus shows how the Lord give witness to this same experience
sees through the human heart. What and for this let us identify the obstruc-
the Lord Jesus states here is not to tive desires of the flesh that emerges
work for food that cannot last, but for from within ourselves.
food that endures to eternal life. Only
Jesus Christ can provide us with the Towards our sonship
food that satisfies our spiritual hunger
and gain eternal life. Therefore He The Lord Jesus instead of showing
boldly proclaims to the people who affection to the people who had come
followed Him that the Father's Will is a long way in search of Him rebuked
to totally believe in Him and to walk them. Isn't it an addiction to seek for
in His footsteps. food even when we are not hungry?
We go for food when we are hungry
Also we could see how He directs but why search for it even otherwise?
the human mind towards the life-giv- God the Father sent His Son to the
ing bread which is more important world so that man would find the
than 'Manna,' the food from heaven divine life hidden in him. Man on
given to them during the Exodus earth fall victim to various people and
journey of the Old Testament. It was things of this world and also become
teaching people how to hunger for the addicted. He who is most capable of
life-giving bread that He offers, the totally belonging to God by virtue of
food that comes down from heaven. his being created by Him to His own
likeness rather than achieving this
The Second Proclamation purpose is being drawn into forms of
earthly slavery most attractive to him.
… You must give up your old
way of life; you must put aside What does the Lord who rebuked
your old self, which gets corrupted the people in search of food that can-
by following illusory desires. Your not last say to each one of us? How
mind must be renewed by a spiritu- many are the bonds of slavery we find
al revolution so that you can put on in our society that affects our human
the new self that has been created mind? How much have I fallen prey to
in God's way, in the goodness and them? Let us reflect and thirst for the
holiness of the truth. Lord Jesus who alone has the Words
of eternal life.
Prayerful Awareness
Prayer Starter
What is the invitation of St. Paul
to his community? Isn't it to enter ....We will tell the coming gener-
into a journey of depending on and ation the glorious deeds of the Lord,
resting in God rather than seeking and his might, and the wonders that
only the fulfillment of one's human he has done. And he brought them to
needs? Isn't it a calling for a renewal his holy hill, to the mountain that his
of stepping on to a new life that does right hand had won.
not worry about what to eat and what
(Psalm: 78/4,54)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

3

Monday 2nd August 2021 St. Eusebius of Vercelli,Bishop; St.Peter
Julian Eymard (PS Wk II) (Green/white)

Numbers: 11/4-15 to perform miracles, and could even
Psalm: 80/12-17 create food, but He did not. It's a test
of the disciples' faith. He wanted to
(81/11-16) take their faith to a higher level. He
Mathew: 14/13-21 blessed the food and performed a great
miracle. That is what Jesus Christ asks
The Gospel Proclamation of us today. In the face of life's strug-
When Jesus heard of the death of gles, we often try to solve our problems
John the Baptist, he withdrew from with our own human wisdom, instead
there in a boat to a deserted place by of turning to God. But the Lord in-
himself. But when the crowds heard vites us to look to Him even in such
it, they followed him on foot from situations. When we lift our lives to
the towns. When he went ashore, Him, He performs great miracles and
he saw a great crowd; and he had awakens us to the fact that we can
compassion for them and cured their experience His great works in our
sick. When it was evening, the disci- own weakness, even in times when we
ples came to him and said, "This is a cannot believe, when human hopes are
deserted place, and the hour is now dashed, and when there is no answer
late; send the crowds away so that in human wisdom. We often look to
they may go into the villages and buy Him for His miraculous intervention
food for themselves." Jesus said to in our problems. The Lord tells us to
them, "They need not go away; you lift all our belongings, troubles, prob-
give them something to eat." They lems, challenges, and life struggles to
replied, "We have nothing here Him. Especially in our spiritual battle
but five loaves and two fish." And with the threefold temptations; All
he said, "Bring them here to me." we have to do is lift up what we have
Taking the five loaves and the two to Him. He blesses and makes it gre
fish, and looking up to heaven, he at.
said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who First Reading reveals how the peo-
in turn gave them to the crowds. ple of Israel, who were on their way
They all ate and were satisfied, ….. . to the Promised Land, murmured to
God and Moses for food. Struggling
Fix your gaze at Jesus with physical nutrition, they began to
Today's Gospel Proclaims the great complain, forgetting God's promises to
miracle that Christ fed five thousand. them. They could not experience God
Even though Jesus wanted to be as they were addicted to human wis-
alone the crowd followed Him, so He dom.
preached them for days and saw that
the people were starving. The disciples Prayer Starter
wanted to send them away to find food,
but Jesus asked the disciples to feed Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the Holy
them. Jesus’ response was different Spirit and raise us through every oppor-
as He knew that man needed physical tunity to great heights in all things, to
nourishment as well as spiritual food. submit to Your Lordship and to give our
As Son of God, Jesus had the power lives to You, and see the abundance of
Your blessings in it. Grant us the power
of the Holy Spirit to walk joyfully even
in the midst of all the persecutions and
tribulations. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

4

Tuesday 3rd August 2021 (PS Wk II) (Green)

Numbers: 12/1-13 matter only between them and God, and
Psalm: 50/3-7,12-13 each person’s relationship with God is
as unique as there are no two people
(51/1-5,10-11) with the same fingerprint! God’s Love
Mathew: 14/22-36 or is unconditional and unmerited and
unearned by us, and God judges us
(15/1-2,10-14) looking at the heart and He knows our
innermost thoughts, and hence pretense
The Gospel Proclamation and hypocrisy has no place with Him!
“Then Pharisees and scribes
came to Jesus from Jerusalem and Let us read extracts from today’s
said, “Why do your disciples break First Proclamation to understand the
the tradition of the elders? For they dangers of criticizing others: “The
do not wash their hands before they Lord came down in a pillar of the
eat.”...Then he called the crowd to cloud, and stood in the entry of the
him and said to them, “Listen and tabernacle calling to Aaron and
understand: it is not what goes into Mary. And when they came, He
the mouth that defiles a person, but said to them: ...Why then were you
it is what comes out of the mouth not afraid to speak ill of my servant
that defiles.” Then the disciples ap- Moses?” And being angry with them
proached and said to him, “Do you he went away: The cloud also that
know that the Pharisees took offense was over the tabernacle departed:
when they heard what you said?” and behold Mary appeared white
He answered, “Every plant that my as snow with a leprosy. And when
heavenly Father has not planted will Aaron had looked on her, and saw
be uprooted. Let them alone; they are her all covered with leprosy, He said
blind guides of the blind. And if one to Moses: I beseech thee, my lord, lay
blind person guides another, both will not upon us this sin, which we have
fall into a pit.” foolishly committed: ….And Moses
cried to the Lord, saying: O God, I
Prayerful Awareness beseech thee heal her.”
Let us read today’s scripture pas-
sages meditatively where the central In the Gospel Proclamation the
theme is to beware of having a holier religious leaders were critical of the
than thou attitude within us towards disciples for not following through an
others because that is an abomination elaborate manmade ritual of washing
before the Lord! Because we are all of hands before partaking of a meal and
sinners and fall short of the glory of receiving admonition from the Lord!
God (Romans 3:23-24) and cannot
ever receive salvation by our own ef- Prayer Starter
forts at holiness. Salvation comes from
God’s grace through the life, suffering, Have mercy on me, O God, accord-
death and resurrection of our Lord ing to thy great mercy. Wash me yet
Jesus Christ (Jesus=God saves), and more from my iniquity, and cleanse me
we have no right to criticize others of from my sin.Create a clean heart in me,
their lifestyles or assess the worthiness O God: and renew a right spirit within
of others on the level of success they my bowels. Cast me not away from thy
have achieved in their lives, for it is a face; and take not thy holy spirit from
me. (Psalm 51)

Amen! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

5

Wednesday 4th August 2021 St. John Mary Vianney,Priest

(PS Wk II) (White)

Numbers: 13/1-2,25- disciples came and urged him, say-
14/1,26-30,34-35 ing, “Send her away, for she keeps
shouting after us.” He answered, “I
Psalm: 105/6-7,13-14, was sent only to the lost sheep of the
21-23 house of Israel.” But she came and
knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help
(106/6-7,13-14,21-23) me.” He answered, “It is not fair to
Mathew: 15/21-28 take the children’s food and throw
it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord,
The First Proclamation yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that
fall from their masters’ table.” Then
....And the Lord spoke to Moses Jesus answered her, “Woman, great
and to Aaron, saying: How long shall is your faith! Let it be done for you
this wicked congregation complain as you wish.” And her daughter was
against me? I have heard the com- healed instantly.
plaints of the Israelites, which they
complain against me. Say to them, Prayerful Awareness
“As I live,” says the Lord, “I will do
to you the very things I heard you What unwavering, steadfast faith
say: your dead bodies shall fall in in Jesus is expressed by this Canaanite
this very wilderness; and of all your woman. Jesus was outside His home-
number, included in the census, land. What a clear indication this is
from twenty years old and upward, that the Good News is to the whole
who have complained against me, world. All the barriers are removed.
not one of you shall come into the Jesus deliberately withdrew to foreign
land in which I swore to settle you, soil to make sure He had privacy- safe
except Caleb son of Jephunneh and from hostility of Pharisees, priests
Joshua son of Nun. According to and Scribes and unhealthy popularity
the number of the days in which of people. His end was near and He
you spied out the land, forty days, wanted to prepare Himself and His
for every day a year, you shall bear disciples for the same. It was not an
your iniquity, forty years, and you act of cowardice. The woman’s request
shall know my displeasure.” I the was one of human need. None could
Lord have spoken; surely I will do silence her. The apostles regarded her
thus to all this wicked congregation as a nuisance and wanted to be rid of
gathered together against me: in this her as quickly as possible. In a situation
wilderness they shall come to a full like this the natural reaction is to grant
end, and there they shall die. the request to get rid of the person.
When we look at Jesus' reaction we
The Gospel Proclamation see that His response was full of pity,
compassion and love. Jesus tested her
Jesus left that place and went and she came out with flying colours.
away to the district of Tyre and In her heart there was love for her child
Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman and there was nothing nearer to God
from that region came out and start- than this very thing.
ed shouting, “Have mercy on me,
Lord, Son of David; my daughter Prayer Starter
is tormented by a demon.” But he
did not answer her at all. And his Give me love in my heart and keep
me praising endlessly. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

6

Thursday 5th August 2021 Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary
Major (PS Wk II) ( Green/White)
Numbers: 20/1-13
Psalm: 94/1-2,6-9 Trust in ‘What Am/Is’ even as you were
able to....
(95/1-2,6-9)
Mathew: 16/13-23 Backdrop: Thirty–eight years in
OR to the exodus, mostly of rugged, te-
Revelation: 21/1-5 dious existence in the wilderness, the
Psalm:Judith: 13/18-19 Hebrews come towards Canaan again.
Luke: 11/27-28 Remember- they left Canaan due to
some of their advance scouts (spies)
The First Proclamation reporting high strength of the locals.
Frequent deprivation and lack faced as
Then came the children of Isra- a consequence! Now, there is no water.
el… into the desert of Zin…And there
was no water for the congregation: Choice required- practice a Scarcity
and they gathered themselves togeth- mind-set or an abundance mind-set.
er against Moses and against Aaron
…. and spoke, saying, Would God We experience a limited world, in
that we had died when our brethren that our consciousness is localized.
died before the LORD! And why have We experience (our consciousness
ye brought up the congregation of the interfaces) reality through the physical
LORD into this wilderness, that we bodies we are endowed with. At least
and our cattle should die there? And initially, this is all we are aware of.
wherefore have ye made us to come As a result, wherever we are, we meet
up out of Egypt, to bring us into this with something to put us out. This is the
evil place? it is no place of seed, or of temptation; do we want to believe that
figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; we are essentially limited, as our bodily
...And Moses and Aaron...they fell senses seem to imply? Or, do we slowly
upon their faces: and the glory of but surely awaken to the possibility
the LORD appeared unto them. And that we are as strong, as powerful and
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, as beautiful as we want to believe we
Take the rod, and gather thou the could be, and work at developing our
assembly together, thou, and Aaron connection to ‘All That Is’, journeying
thy brother, and speak ye unto the towards ‘Oneness’ with Reality? Can
rock before their eyes; and it shall we become aware of our other faculties
give forth his water, and thou shall such as imagination, intuition, empathy,
bring forth to them water out of the and belief? Simultaneously working at
rock:....as he commanded him….and the mastering and the channelling of
with his rod he smote the rock twice: our emotions, in a way that we create
and the water came out abundantly, something ‘Good’ for ourselves? Sim-
and the congregation drank, and ple question, but with such ramifica-
their beasts also …..This is the water tions to the ‘Life Taste’ we’d create for
of Meribah; because the children of ourselves….
Israel strove with the LORD, and he
was sanctified in them. Prayer Starter

Fix your gaze at Jesus There is abundance everywhere;
but we need to open up our eyes: very
Turn us Lord that we may learn to specifically the eyes of faith, so that the
creative aspects of God we’re bless-
ed/endowed with are used / put into
practice for good… now turn us Lord
therefore....

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

7

Friday 6th August 2021 Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel: 7/9-10,13-14 (PS Wk II) (White)
Psalm: 96/1-2,5-6,9
of God (Exodus 24:12), a mountain is
( 97/1-2,5-6,9) considered the traditional place where
2 Peter: 1/16-19 divine revelations happen. According
Mark: 9/2-10 to Mark, why did Jesus choose this par-
ticular moment for this purpose? Jesus
Introduction has already made His first prediction
Today, on this feast day of the of His passion in Mark 8:31-33. He
Transfiguration of the Lord, we cele- has taught the disciples that the Son
brate the transfigured Christ whom the of Man has to suffer many things. So
prophets have foretold and in whom there is a need for the disciples to be
we believe which reminds us that strengthened to face His passion and
Christ is certainly the bridge between death by giving a glimpse of the glory
heaven and earth. that would be His in the end. In Daniel
7:13 as given in the First Proclama-
The Gospel Proclamation tion, the Son of Man is the figure who
….. Jesus took with him Peter gloriously comes at the end of time.
and James and John, and led them In Matthew 26:24, Jesus uses this title
up a high mountain apart by them- to Himself to defend the claims of
selves; and he was transfigured be- divine origin.
fore them, and his garments became
glistening, intensely white, as no Prayerful Awareness
fuller on earth could bleach them.
And there appeared to them Elijah Just like most of us, the disciples
and Moses; and they were talking were not ready to accept a suffering
to Jesus. …. And a cloud overshad- Messiah. They were expecting a gold-
owed them, and a voice came out en age as the Kingdom of God and that
of the cloud, "This is my beloved justice would simply be brought down
Son; listen to him." And suddenly from heaven to earth. And the trans-
looking around they no longer saw figuration is the Father's answer to the
any one with them but Jesus only. disciples with the above mentality. He
And as they were coming down the reveals Jesus as the Messiah, "This is
mountain, he charged them to tell my beloved Son, listen to Him." It's
no one what they had seen, until a good lesson for all of us since we too
the Son of man should have risen are to walk on His way as taught by
from the dead. So they kept this to Him. "If anyone would come after
themselves, questioning what the me, let him deny himself, and take
rising from the dead meant. up his cross and follow me' (Matthew
16:24). Jesus did join heaven and earth
in establishing the Kingdom of God
Gaze on Jesus but it was through a most difficult path.
Jesus takes His disciples up a high Aren't we called to take the same?
mountain. Just like Moses went up
Mount Sinai to encounter the glory Prayer Starter

Holy Spirit, enlighten and em-
power us to follow Jesus Christ in His
mission to release all bondages of the
people at a time our contribution is
mostly needed.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

8

Saturday 7th August 2021 Sts. Xystus II,Pope & Companions;
St.Cajetan (PS Wk II)(Green/Red/White)
Deuteronomy: 6/4-13
Psalm: 17/2-4,47,51 and have Faith in Him, we can never do
the works He did. Do we really accept
(18/1-3,46,50) Him into our lives as our Saviour and
Mathew: 17/14-20 Lord with us, who gave His life to save
us due to His Great Love? If so, do we
The Gospel Proclamation love Him and abide by His Word. In
John 14:15-16 He said if you love me,
When they came to the crowd a follow my Commandments. Follow
man approached, knelt down before His Teachings for rightful living, love
him, and said, “Lord, have pity on each other as He loved us, and live as
my son, for he is a lunatic and suffers children of God without cheating or
severely; often he falls into fire, and lying or stealing, giving our First place
often into water. I brought him to to Lord God. Then Jesus promised to
your disciples, but they could not send the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God
cure him.” Jesus said in reply, “O to be with us always to Teach, Guide,
faithless and perverse generation, and Help and empower us. The Spirit of
how long will I be with you? How Truth, the world cannot accept because
long will I endure you? Bring him the world cannot see nor know Him. He
here to me.” Jesus rebuked him will teach us the Truth about everything
and the demon came out of him, and and Help us to get closer to Jesus Christ
from that hour the boy was cured. and Love Him as our only Redeemer.
Then the disciples approached Jesus Obey Him and keep His Word and
in private and said, “Why could we remain with Him to bear fruits. When
not drive it out?” He said to them, we reach this stage we will lose all
“Because of your little faith. Amen, sinful and selfish desires, and Jesus said
I say to you, if you have faith the “If you remain in me and my words
size of a mustard seed, you will say remain in you, ask for whatever you
to this mountain, ‘Move from here to want and it will be done for you”
there,’ and it will move. Nothing will (John 15: 7). The First Reading draws
be impossible for you.” our attention to the Great Command-
ment “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is
Prayerful Awareness our God, the Lord alone” We have to
give the very First Place to the one and
Disciples failed to cure the son only Almighty God, our Creator and
of a man brought to them due to lack to Love Him with all our heart, with
of faith. Jesus said “O faithless and all our soul and with all our Strength.
perverse generation, how long will I
be with you? How long will I endure Prayer Starter
you?” Jesus charged His disciples
for lack of faith and of no faith to the God our Loving Father, Grant us
unbelievers who did not accept Jesus, your Holy Spirit to live as Your Chil-
who are only engrossed in achieving dren under the control of the Holy Spir-
their own selfish, sinful desires of the it, to always do Your Will and abide by
world. Where are we? Jesus is God, the all Commandments Jesus Christ taught
Son of the Father, the Second Person of us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus
the Holy Trinity, who received power Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns
from Father. If we do not Trust Him with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

9

Sunday 8th August 2021 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

(PS Wk III) (Green)

1 Kings: 19/4-8 and there at his head was a scone
Psalm: 33/2-9 baked on hot stones, and a jar of
water. He ate and drank and then
(34/1-8) lay down again. But the angel of
Ephesians: 4/30-5/2 the Lord came back a second time
John: 6/41-51 and touched him and said, 'Get up
and eat, or the journey will be too
Introduction long for you.' So he got up and ate
Through the First Proclamation and drank, and strengthened by
of the day, the angel of the Lord that food he walked for forty days
invites prophet Elijah to get up and and forty nights until he reached
eat. In the Gospel Proclamation Horeb, the mountain of God.
the words, "I am the living bread
which has come down from heav- Prayerful Awareness
en. Anyone who eats this bread
will live for ever" contain an invi- During the time King Ahab who
tation from the Lord. St. Paul's in- worshipped the Baals reigned over
vitation in the Second Proclamation Israel, the chosen people of God
states, "Try, then, to imitate God, too were steeped in sin following
as children of His that He loves, the same pattern. Even though
and follow Christ by loving as He prophet Elijah come to turn back the
loved you, giving Himself up in Israelites to God performed many
our place as a fragrant offering miracles through the Lord God,
and a sacrifice to God." Since our Queen Jezebel, the wife of King
life on earth is not that easy in order Ahab sent messages threatening to
that we take the same journey as kill him (Read 1Kings 19:2). On
Jesus did He does bestow on us the this occasion Elijah in fear of death
"Food from Heaven." Thus, Holy ran away into the wilderness and
Mother Church invites us to receive sitting down under a broom tree
sustenance from the Eucharistic pleaded with the Lord to take away
bread which is His own Body and his life. Having been nourished and
to live in love as the Lord did. strengthened with food given by an
angel he reached mount Horeb, to the
The First Proclamation presence of the Lord God.
Elijah went into the wilder-
ness, a day's journey, and sitting The Gospel Proclamation
under a furze bush wished he were
dead. 'Lord,' he said 'I have had The Jews were complaining to
enough. Take my life; I am no each other about Jesus, because
better than my ancestors.' Then he had said, 'I am the bread that
he lay down and went to sleep. But came down from heaven.' 'Surely
an angel touched him and said, this is Jesus son of Joseph' they
'Get up and eat.' He looked round, said. 'We know his father and
mother. …. Jesus said in reply, ….
'No one can come to me unless he
is drawn by the Father who sent
me. ….'

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

10

Prayerful Awareness loving as he loved you, giving him-
self up in our place as a fragrant
Obviously, today's Gospel Proc- offering and a sacrifice to God.
lamation is related to the last supper
of the Lord. 'I am the living bread Prayerful Awareness
that came down from heaven.'
Thus says the Lord bestowing on St. Paul who says "Do not grieve
us the gift of Himself. Moreover the Holy Spirit" further declares
He proclaims, 'The bread that I "We have been marked with the
shall give is my flesh, for the life seal of the Holy Spirit' and goes on
of the world.' Giving of His flesh to explain how we should lead our
means His death which confirms lives so as not to grieve the Him.
that the death of Christ is a Sacri- Certainly, living contrary to this will
fice, Sacrificial Offering. Similarly grieve the Holy Spirit. (If possible
we know that Holy Thursday and take each phrase separately and try
Good Friday are two stages in the to reflect on them.) 'Try to imitate
great act of salvation. Due to which God, as children of His that He
at the Eucharistic Celebration both loves and follow Christ by loving
these truths are being manifested on as he loved you.' The sum total of
the same altar. While a mystery is these ideas could be presented in
something that we can never cease to the words of St. Paul himself as
comprehend with our limited human follows: "For all who are led by
intelligence, this alone enables us the Spirit of God are sons of God"
to explain the Blessed Sacrament as (Rom. 8:14). When we live contrary
well as the Eucharistic Celebration to these revelations invariably we
as a mystery. The Catechism of the become people who grieve the Holy
Catholic Church defines the Eucha- Spirit.
rist as the 'Sacrament of sacrament"
(the Great Sacrament – CCC 1169). Towards our sonship
How much devotional are we indi-
vidually and as families towards the In face of our daily struggles and
Blessed Sacrament and the Eucharis- day to day problems it is the Lord
tic Celebration? Himself in whom we should seek
and find refuge. For this let us thirst
The Second Proclamation for a life led by the Holy Spirit. And
then He will lead us to presence of
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit the Lord, to encounter Him and to be
of God who has marked you with united with Him. In the same vein let
his seal for you to be set free when us make the Eucharistic Celebration
the day comes. Never have grudges part and parcel of our life and long
against others, or lose your tem- to be fed with the Eucharistic Lord.
per, or raise your voice to anybody, Let us take initiative in awakening
or call each other names, or allow all of our family members and those
any sort of spitefulness. Be friends of our communities on this purpose.
with one another, and kind, forgiv-
ing each other as readily as God Prayer Starter
forgave you in Christ. Try, then,
to imitate God, as children of his My Lord! My God! How sweet
that he loves, and follow Christ by You are....You are my streanth and
salvation.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

11

Monday 9th August 2021 St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin
& Martyr (PS Wk III) (Green/Red)

Deuteronomy: 10/12- lives by not evading responsibilities
22 and obligations. This is a prerequisite
to obeying God’s commands.
Psalm: 147/12-15,19-20
Mathew: 17/22-27 Our sonship

The Gospel Proclamation Rules, regulations, and laws exist
When the disciples all came to- in a country for a reason. They bring
gether in Galilee, Jesus said to them, discipline and order to an environment.
“The Son of Man is about to be hand- Here Jesus is telling us to be subject to
ed over to people who will kill him; the Law of the country.
but three days later he will be raised
to life.” The disciples became very The Gospel reading today starts
sad. When Jesus and his disciples with Jesus talking about His betrayal
came to Capernaum, the collectors and death. It is also a reminder that real
of the temple tax came to Peter and freedom does not come by following
asked, “Does your teacher pay the rules but will come to us through the
temple tax?” “Of course,” Peter suffering Christ. However, following
answered. When Peter went into the the sufferings of Jesus gives us inner
house, Jesus spoke up first, “Simon, freedom to do what is right according
what is your opinion? Who pays to the law of the nation. Therefore, we
duties or taxes to the kings of this are invited to continually accept rules
world? The citizens of the country and regulations and not to perceive
or the foreigners?” “The foreigners,” them as unjust or meaningless. We
answered Peter. “Well, then,” replied are also quick to deny truthfulness and
Jesus, “that means that the citizens honesty and discipline-based values.
don't have to pay. But we don't want These contribute towards a suffering
to offend these people. So, go to the nation with crime and selfishness.
lake and drop in a line. Pull up the Therefore, let us strengthen our gaze
first fish you hook, and in its mouth, at Jesus on the cross to reconcile with
you will find a coin worth enough for Him, and become aware that He paid
my temple tax and yours. Take it and our debts without a complaint.
pay them our taxes.
Let us also subject ourselves with
Gaze at Jesus joy to accepting all of the above that
relates to honesty and integrity, and a
personal commitment towards values
that are biblical.

Prayer Starter

In the Gospel, Peter was ques- Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! ...,
tioned about tax evasion. However, O Zion! He keeps your gates strong;
Jesus says, do not set a bad example. he blesses your people. He keeps your
To make the statement of Jesus more borders safe and satisfies you with the
aligned with our own thinking, the finest wheat. He gives a command to
book of Deuteronomy explains in the earth, and what he says is quickly
chapter 10: verse 12, worship the Lord done. He gives his message to his peo-
and do all that He commands. Love ple, his instructions, and laws to Israel.
Him, serve Him with all your heart. He has not done this for other nations;
Jesus is the way, truth and life. He they do not know his laws. Praise the
wants his followers to live exemplary LORD!'(Psalm 147: 12-15, 19-20)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

12 St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr

Tuesday 10th August 2021 (PS Wk III) (Red)

2 Corinthians: 9/6-10 grain; but if it dies, it bears much
Psalm: 111/1-2,5-9 fruit. Those who love their life lose
it, and those who hate their life in
( 112/1-2,5-9) this world will keep it for eternal
John: 12/24-26 life. Whoever serves me must follow
me, and where I am, there will be my
Introduction servant also. Whoever serves me, the
Let us read today’s scripture pas- Father will honor.
sages meditatively where the central
theme is the blessings that will flow Prayerful Awareness
when we give first place to the Lord
and His precepts. God’s Law and pre- In order to carry out God’s Will in
cepts are summed up in the greatest our lives we have to die to ourselves.
commandment, that is to Love God We are called upon to let go of our
above everything and everyone else, plans, desires, wealth, time, resources,
and to love others as we love ourselves. etc. for the greater good, which is to
But, as it is written, "What no eye experience a form of death, but in so
has seen, nor ear heard, nor the hu- doing we also become partakers of
man heart conceived, what God has Jesus’ resurrection, in finding a new
prepared for those who love him" (‘born again’) and eternal way of life.

(1 corinthians: 2/9) The Lord promises rewards com-
The First Proclamation mensurate with the level of suffering
The point is this: the one who and sacrifice one has had to undergo in
sows sparingly will also reap spar- fulfilling God’s Will in our lives. The
ingly, and the one who sows boun- best examples for this are the lives of
tifully will also reap bountifully. our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed
Each of you must give as you have Mother. In fulfilling God’s Will in
made up your mind, not reluctantly their lives, they had to undergo untold
or under compulsion, for God loves hardships, pain, and suffering, and in
a cheerful giver. And God is able to Jesus’s case even a death on the cross,
provide you with every blessing in but they bore it all up joyfully as Abba
abundance, so that by always having Father’s Will for their lives and were
enough of everything, you may share always full of love for those around
abundantly in every good work. As them! They met life as it unfolded
it is written, “He scatters abroad, he without grumbling but always with
gives to the poor; his righteousness praise and thanksgiving, filled with
endures forever.” He who supplies the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy,
seed to the sower and bread for food peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). Hence,
will supply and multiply your seed they had joyful and fulfilling lives even
for sowing and increase the harvest here on earth, which is the calling for
of your righteousness. us believers as well! Amen! Alleluia!
The Gospel Proclamation Praise the Lord!
Very truly, I tell you, unless a
grain of wheat falls into the earth Prayer Starter
and dies, it remains just a single
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks
to the Lord with my whole heart. The
works of His hands are faithful and just;
all His precepts are trustworthy. Holy
and Awesome is His name. (Psalm 111)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

13

Wednesday 11th August 2021 St.Clare,Virgin (PS Wk III) (White)

Deuteronomy: 34/1-12 the Lord knew face to face. He was
Psalm: 65/1-3,5,16-17 unequaled for all the signs and won-
ders that the Lord sent him to per-
(66/1-3,5,8,16-17) form in the land of Egypt, against
Mathew: 18/15-20 Pharaoh and all his servants and his
entire land, and for all the mighty
The First Proclamation deeds and all the terrifying displays
Then Moses went up from the of power that Moses performed in
plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the sight of all Israel.
the top of Pisgah, which is oppo-
site Jericho, and the Lord showed Prayerful Awareness
him the whole land: Gilead as far
as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Moses died as was foretold by the
Ephraim and Manasseh, all the Lord and was buried by Him. Moses
land of Judah as far as the Western 'memory lives on. The impression he
Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that had made on the people of Israel was
is, the valley of Jericho, the city of an indelible one. The Israelites in exile
palm trees—as far as Zoar. The in Egypt- yes,they were stiff- necked
Lord said to him, “This is the land and self-willed. Moses became God's
of which I swore to Abraham, to tool and Israelites were loosely knit
Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will together by religion and blood. They
give it to your descendants’; I have were welded together into a nation.
let you see it with your eyes, but you Moses loved his people when they
shall not cross over there.” Then were misled and sinned by worship-
Moses, the servant of the Lord, ping the golden calf. He intervened
died there in the land of Moab, and asked for forgiveness. If forgive-
at the Lord’s command. He was ness was not granted he requested that
buried in a valley in the land of his name be removed from the book
Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no in which God has written the name of
one knows his burial place to this His people. (Exodus 32:32)
day. Moses was one hundred twenty
years old when he died; his sight Moses' relationship with God was
was unimpaired and his vigor had a face- to -face one. God invites one
not abated. The Israelites wept for of us to the closest friendship with
Moses in the plains of Moab thirty Him. "Those who love Me will obey
days; then the period of mourning My teaching. My Father will love
for Moses was ended. him and My Father and I will come
Joshua son of Nun was full of to him and live with him." (John
the spirit of wisdom, because Moses :14/23)
had laid his hands on him; and the
Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Prayer Starter
Lord had commanded Moses.
Never since has there arisen a By awesome deeds you answer us
prophet in Israel like Moses, whom with deliverance, O God of our salva-
tion; you are the hope of all the ends
of the earth and of the farthest seas…
(Psalm :65/5)

Help us to be Your faithful servant.
Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

14

Thursday 12th August 2021 St.Jane Frances de Chantal,Religious
(PS Wk III) (Green/White)

Joshua: 3/7-11,13-17 wHere; and we shall gladly heed Thee
Psalm: 113/1-6 and find Thy Love and Glory therein….

(114/1-6) The waters of Jordan shall be cut
Mathew: 18/21-19/1 off. This must be done in such a way
as never was done, but in the dividing
The First Proclamation of the Red sea. That miracle is here
And the LORD said unto Josh- repeated; God has the same power to
ua, This day will I begin to magnify finish the salvation of his people, as to
thee in the sight of all Israel, that begin it; the WORD of the Lord was
they may know that, as I was with as truly with Joshua as with Moses.
Moses, so I will be with thee. And God's manifestations ought to encour-
thou shalt command the priests that age the faith and hope of His chosen.
bear the ark of the covenant, saying, God's work is perfect; He will keep
When ye are come to the brink of the His people. Jordan's flood cannot keep
water of Jordan, ye shall stand still out Israel; Canaan's forces cannot turn
in Jordan….. And it shall come to them out again…! Jordan overflowed
pass, as soon as the soles of the feet all its banks. This but magnified the
of the priests that bear the ark of power of God, and Israel’s experience
the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, of His abundant kindness more. Al-
shall rest in the waters of Jordan, though those who oppose the salvation
that the waters of Jordan shall be cut of God's people appear to have all the
off from the waters that come down advantages in this realm, yet God can
from above; and they shall stand and will conquer.
upon an heap. And it came to pass...
and the feet of the priests that bare This passage over river Jordan, as
the ark were dipped in the brim of an entrance to Canaan, after their long,
the water, (for Jordan overfloweth weary wanderings in the wilderness,
all his banks all the time of harvest,) fore-shadow the believer's passage
That the waters which came down through death to heaven. Every instance
from above stood and rose up upon that we die to ourselves, is an instance
an heap very far from the city Adam, of entering into His love (heaven).
that is beside Zaretan: and those that This eventuality need not wait for our
came down toward the sea of the spirit to leave this mortal body we
plain, even the salt sea, failed, and presently inhabit. Try it; test this out.
were cut off: and the people passed Make it a habit to deny yourself; to die
over right against Jericho. And the to our false self (ego), and we shall be
priests that bare the ark of the cov- liberated to experience our true selves–
enant of the LORD stood firm on this is the dream of Abba our Father
dry ground in the midst of Jordan, in Heaven…. our wanderings in this
and all the Israelites passed over on sinful world (being in error) will end
dry ground, until all the people were the moment the Living Word enters
passed clean over Jordan. (incarnates) within. This is Good News!

Fix your gaze at Jesus Prayer Starter
Dearest Lord, reveal Thy com-
mands as they apply to us in the No- Our Master is Clemency itself;
Find Acceptance as you are! Turn
Now; a simple choice. Heed His Com-
mands-practice discipline and humili-
ty; Remain in His Love….

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

15

Friday 13th August 2021 Sts. Pontian, Pope & Hippolytus Priest,
Martyrs (PS Wk III) (Green/Red)

Joshua: 24/1-13 and others do not marry for the sake
Psalm: 135/1-3,16-18, of the Kingdom of heaven. Let him
who can accept this teaching do so."
21-22,24
(136/1-3,16-18,21- Prayerful Awareness

22,24) This Gospel passage speaks of
Mathew: 19/3-12 marriage, divorce and adultery. The
word of God says that marriage is
The Gospel Proclamation a covenant relationship. Once you
Some Pharisees came to him and choose to marry, it’s no longer up for
tried to trap him by asking, "Does debate as to whether your spouse is the
our Law allow a man to divorce his “right one.” Marriage makes them the
wife for whatever reason he wish- right one, for it’s a commitment before
es?" Jesus answered, "Haven't you God. It’s never to be based on shifting
read the scripture that says that feelings, but a choice every day to love
in the beginning the Creator made the spouse you’ve chosen to marry.
people male and female? And God Marriage symbolizes the love of Christ
said, "For this reason a man will for us and His desire for us to be made
leave his father and mother and more into the image of Himself. That
unite with his wife, and the two will means your marriage should exalt
become one.' So they are no longer God and glorify Him to a world that
two, but one. No human being must desperately needs to see who He is. In
separate, then, what God has joined our culture today divorce is easy and
together." The Pharisees asked him, adultery is advertised via movies and
"Why, then, did Moses give the law electronic media. The world has come
for a man to hand his wife a divorce to accept it as normal. But we have to
notice and send her away?" Jesus look to the Lord and ask the help of the
answered, "Moses gave you permis- Holy Spirit to keep us on the straight
sion to divorce your wives because and narrow path and be obedient to the
you are so hard to teach. But it was Lord and safeguard our marriages and
not like that at the time of creation. our families.
I tell you, then, that any man who
divorces his wife for any cause other Prayer Starter
than her unfaithfulness, commits
adultery if he marries some other Help us Lord in this age of sin and
woman." His disciples said to him, temptation which is more than ever
"If this is how it is between a man before. Marriage is based on Love.
and his wife, it is better not to mar- And Love is patient and kind; love does
ry." Jesus answered, "This teaching not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or
does not apply to everyone, but only rude. It does not insist on its own way;
to those to whom God has given it. it is not irritable or resentful; it does
For there are different reasons why not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices
men cannot marry: some, because with the truth. Love bears all things,
they were born that way; others, believes all things, hopes all things,
because men made them that way; and endures all things. Help us to re-
member and ask the help of the Holy
Spirit in times of temptation so that He
will lead us in paths of righteousness.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

16

Saturday 14th August 2021 St. Maximillian Kolbe, Priest
& Martyr (PS Wk III ) (Red)

Joshua: 24/14-29 them out of slavery. And then Joshua
Psalm: 15/1-2,5,7-8,11 explains the consequences of not be-
Mathew: 19/13-15 ing sincere in that choice.

The First Proclamation In today's context what foreign
......But Joshua said to the peo- Gods do we have? You and I being
ple, “You cannot serve the Lord, Christians have proclaimed that Jesus
for he is a holy God. He is a jeal- Christ is Lord, but is this a sincere
ous God; he will not forgive your choice? Or do we have other lords that
transgressions or your sins. If you we serve in our lives? Whom do we
forsake the Lord and serve foreign serve? Wealth, popularity or favour
gods, then he will turn and do you of the people, our physical senses, the
harm, and consume you, after hav- society, political ideologies, our loved
ing done you good.” And the people ones? The theme of this Year “Jesus
said to Joshua, “No, we will serve Christ is Lord” is a wake-up call to
the Lord!” Then Joshua said to the affirm the choice we made when we
people, “You are witnesses against entered this journey of renewal to
yourselves that you have chosen the submit to the will of God through
Lord, to serve him.” And they said, Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord.
“We are witnesses.” He said, “Then
put away the foreign gods that are Gaze at Jesus
among you, and incline your hearts
to the Lord, the God of Israel.” The When we gaze at Jesus in the con-
people said to Joshua, “The Lord text of the Gospel passage today. Jesus
our God we will serve, and him we experienced the Kingdom of heaven
will obey.” ....... by totally depending on the father, and
submitting to His will as the obedient
The Gospel Proclamation Son. And without being dependent
Then little children were being on God like a child dependent on the
brought to him in order that he Parents it is not possible to belong to
might lay his hands on them and the Kingdom of heaven.
pray. The disciples spoke sternly to
those who brought them; but Jesus Our sonship
said, “Let the little children come
to me, and do not stop them; for it Let us let go of false Gods and re-
is to such as these that the kingdom pent. Let us witness once again to the
of heaven belongs.” And he laid his Lord Jesus Christ as our one and only
hands on them and went on his way. Lord. And ask the Holy Spirit to help
us depend on Him as a child depends
Prayerful Awareness on the parents.
Let us reflect on today’s First Proc-
lamation. Joshua tells the people to Prayer Starter
choose whom they serve, the Gods of Protect me, O God, for in you I
their ancestors before exodus “foreign take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are
gods”, or the Lord God who brought my Lord; I have no good apart from
you.” The Lord is my chosen portion
and my cup; you hold my lot. I bless
the Lord who gives me counsel; in the
night also my heart instructs me.
(Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

17

Sunday 15th August 2021 The Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary (PS Wk IV) (White )

Revelation: 11/19,12/ The First Proclamation
1-6,10
The sanctuary of God in heaven
Psalm: 44/10-12,16 opened, and the ark of the cove-
(45/9-11,15) nant could be seen inside it. Now
a great sign appeared in heaven:
1 Corinthians: 15/20- a woman, adorned with the sun,
27 standing on the moon, and with
the twelve stars on her head for a
Luke: 1/39-56 crown. …(Please read the whole
proclamation.)
Introduction
Today, on the twentieth Sunday Prayerful Awareness
of Ordinary Time, Holy Mother the
Church is celebrating the Solemnity The First Proclamation taken
of the Assumption of the Blessed from the book of Revelation presents
Virgin Mary. The Assumption is the fact that in face of various perse-
glorious since without the state of cutions the people of God would be
glory there can never be an assump- subjected to, they should remain firm
tion. Assumption cannot be defined in hope, strengthening their faith in
in words in terms of an ordinary the Lord. The author validates this by
state of life on earth. And it is being symbolizing the victory and majesty
assumed into the presence of God, to ordained for the suffering faithful
an eternal life that is most victorious. according to the promise of God that
Holy Mother the Church rejoices indicates His great love and mercy to
since her hope of fulfillment has the poor, the weak and the oppressed
come to its completion in the Bless- in the world.
ed Mother. Seeing the prefiguration
of the heavenly glory that we hope The Second Proclamation
for through our Blessed Mother let
us also praise God. Christ has been raised from
While the first proclamation the dead, the first-fruits of all who
awakens us to the victory and have fallen asleep. Death came
majesty ordained for the suffering through one man and in the same
faithful as promised by God, through way the resurrection of the dead
the second proclamation St. Paul has come through one man. Just as
proclaims 'Christ has been raised all men die in Adam, so all men will
from the dead.' And in the Gospel be brought to life in Christ; but
proclamation the Blessed Mother all of them in their proper order:
magnifies the Lord, saying 'the Christ as the first fruits and then,
Almighty has done great things after the coming of Christ, those
for me.' Let us also join with her in who belong to him.
giving praise to God.
Prayerful Awareness

St. Paul who had an encounter
with the risen Lord Jesus Christ
invites the Corinthian community
to believe in this great good news.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

18 God towards the poor, the weak, the
vulnerable and the oppressed. She
Although death came to the world pointed out to us the mind of God
in consequence of the sin of our with regard to the proud of heart. She
first parents, through the Son of God who acknowledged God as her Lord
there was life who is Jesus Christ. It also acknowledged Jesus Christ who
is an invitation to gain eternal life was conceived in her as her Lord.
acknowledging Him as one's Lord Elizabeth witnessed to this great
and Master. Those who respond to good news as follows: 'Why should
this positively will win their reward I be honoured with a visit from the
when Christ comes. 'Christ as the mother of my Lord?' (Luke 1:43).
first fruits and then, after the coming
of Christ, those who belong to Him.'
Towards us
The Gospel Proclamation
You and I have been counted
Mary set out and went as blessed as to inherit divine sonship
quickly as she could to a town through Christ. Blessed Mother hav-
in the hill country of Judah. She ing made space completely for the
went into Zachariah's house and plan of God to be accomplished in
greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as her, gained the heavenly treasure and
Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, also was made blessed as to inherit
the child leapt in her womb and being the mother of the redeemer of
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy the whole world.
Spirit. She gave a loud cry and
said, 'Of all women you are the Similarly, we who make access
most blessed, and blessed is the to the Will of God listening to His
fruit of your womb. Why should voice too will have to experience
I be honoured with a visit from dying to our own will. This very
the mother of my Lord? ….. Yes, death and suffering we experience
blessed is she who believed that the will be turned to glory and victory
promise made to her by the Lord by God Himself.
would be fulfilled.' ….(Please read
the whole proclamation.) In order to win eternal life, the
heavenly kingdom through a life of
deep faith and total dependence let
Prayerful Awareness us overcome death and follow the
living Lord.
It was the deep faith of the
Blessed Mother that enabled her
to rejoice in the Lord singing, 'the Prayer Starter
Almighty has done great things for
me.' Great are the works performed Almighty ever-living God, who
in her from the moment of her birth assumed the Immaculate Virgin
till she became the mother of the Mary, the Mother of your Son, body
world's redeemer and then walking and soul into heavenly glory, grant,
to the foot of the cross and till the we pray, that, always attentive to the
Pentecostal experience in the upper things that are above, we may merit
room. Also the life experience of the to be sharers of her glory. (From
Blessed Mother gives witness to the the Collect)
immensity of the love and mercy of

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

19

Monday 16th August 2021 St. Stephen of Hungary

(PS Wk IV) (Green/White )

Judges: 2/11-19 be perfect, go, sell your possessions,
Psalm: 105/34-37,39-40, and give the money to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven;
43-44 then come, follow me.” When the
(106/34-37,39-40,43-44) young man heard this word, he went
Mathew: 19/16-22 away grieving, for he had many
possessions.
The First Proclamation
......Then the Israelites did what Prayerful Awareness
was evil in the sight of the Lord and
worshiped the Baals; and they aban- …. Jesus said to him,” If you wish
doned the Lord,...and they provoked to be perfect, go sell what you have
the Lord to anger.... Whenever the and give it to the poor, and you will
Lord raised up judges for them, the have treasure in heaven. Then come,
Lord was with the judge, and he de- follow me.” Jesus takes the young
livered them from the hand of their man’s question seriously. He doesn’t
enemies all the days of the judge; for want to waste the young man’s time
the Lord would be moved to pity by allowing him to think things are easier
their groaning because of those who than they really are. Sadly, in today’s
persecuted and oppressed them. But society people are used to seeking what
whenever the judge died, they would requires the least effort. This is not the
relapse and behave worse than their way of a true Christian.
ancestors, following other gods,
worshiping them and bowing down What Jesus wants us to do is to
to them. They would not drop any keep the commandments. That means
of their practices or their stubborn to avoid sin. The rich young man had
ways. no trouble with living the command-
ments. Feeling confident, he asks for
The Gospel Proclamation more, and Christ asks him to leave
Then someone came to him and the possessions. He went away sad,
said, “Teacher, what good deed must because he had many possessions.
I do to have eternal life?” And he
said to him, “Why do you ask me Towards our sonship
about what is good? There is only
one who is good. If you wish to enter As Jesus says in Mathew 6:21,
into life, keep the commandments.” “Where your treasure is, there will
He said to him, “Which ones?” And your heart be also.” We are also the
Jesus said, “You shall not murder; same as the rich young man. We have
You shall not commit adultery; You many possessions and we are attached
shall not steal; You shall not bear to them. But these detach us from the
false witness; Honor your father spiritual life. Finally we must catch
and mother; also, You shall love this, Jesus wants all of our devotion
your neighbor as yourself.” The and He is worthy of all of our devo-
young man said to him, “I have tion. When we have Him, we have
kept all these; what do I still lack?” everything! That is the reality of the
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to situation.

Prayer Starter

Let’s empty ourselves to be filled
from the love of God, that fills us with
all!

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

20

Tuesday 17th August 2021 (PS Wk IV) ( Green)

Judges: 6/11-24 love. It meant that we had to consume
Psalm: 84/9,11-12 anything in adequate amounts, to act
according to our NEEDS instead of the
(85/8,10,13) desires of every moment, to control
Mathew: 19/23-30 technology and not be controlled by
technology. Very often we mistake
The Gospel Proclamation living peaceful lives to leading com-
Then Jesus said to his disciples, fortable lives. “It is easier for a camel
“Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a to go through the eye of a needle than
rich person to enter the kingdom of for someone who is rich to enter the
heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier kingdom of God.” The world is full
for a camel to go through the eye of of choices, access and even uninvited
a needle than for someone who is distractions. The more luxuries you
rich to enter the kingdom of God.” gain, the further you go away from
When the disciples heard this, they God. However, nothing can come in
were greatly astounded and said, between God and the man who does
“Then who can be saved?” But Je- not have anything but God.
sus looked at them and said, “For
mortals it is impossible, but for Therefore, let us let go of all those
God all things are possible.” Then that take up the presence of God in our
Peter said in reply, “Look, we have lives. For when we fill our lives with
left everything and followed you. peace of God, we need nothing else.
What then will we have?” Jesus
said to them, “Truly I tell you, at An experience
the renewal of all things, when the
Son of Man is seated on the throne ‘Our calling is not one that is ful-
of his glory, you who have followed filled while living ordinary lives holed
me will also sit on twelve thrones, up on sofas or beds, typing away on
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. our phones and staring away into dis-
And everyone who has left houses tractions on the television for hours.’
or brothers or sisters or father or As simple as it sounds, this was a word
mother or children or fields, for my spoken at one of our youth meetings
name's sake, will receive a hundred- that opened my eyes to how my then
fold, and will inherit eternal life. lifestyle was a world apart from what
But many who are first will be last, I was called to by God. I lived a
and the last will be first. wasteful life watching TV for hours
and scrolling through social media and
Prayerful Awareness blogs all day. It was very difficult to
To set our eyes on things above resist the urge at first but eventually
does not only mean to seek what God with constant awakening to the Holy
wants you to do in certain situations Spirit, I was able to break away from
and life decisions. No, it means to all these chains. What followed was a
transform your entire lifestyle to one life in the moment and a person who
that is pleasing to God, to one that was much responsible and disciplined.
brings us closer to God’s presence and
Prayer Starter

O Lord of hosts, hoppy is everyone
who trusts in you.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 18th August 2021 21
(PS Wk IV) (Green)

Judges: 9/6-15 worked only one hour, and you
Psalm: 20/2-7 have made them equal to us who
have borne the burden of the day
( 21/1-6) and the scorching heat.’ But he re-
Mathew: 20/1-16 plied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am
doing you no wrong; did you not
The Gospel Proclamation agree with me for the usual daily
“For the kingdom of heaven wage? Take what belongs to you
is like a landowner who went out and go; I choose to give to this last
early in the morning to hire labor- the same as I give to you. Am I not
ers for his vineyard. After agreeing allowed to do what I choose with
with the laborers for the usual what belongs to me? Or are you
daily wage, he sent them into his envious because I am generous?’
vineyard. When he went out about So the last will be first, and the first
nine o’clock, he saw others stand- will be last.
ing idle in the marketplace; and
he said to them, ‘You also go into Prayerful Awareness
the vineyard, and I will pay you
whatever is right.’ So they went. At the core of this parable there
When he went out again about lies the truth that goes to the very
noon and about three o’clock, heart of Christianity. In it there is
he did the same. And about five a warning not only to His apostles
o’clock he went out and found but also to us, Christians in the 21st
others standing around; and he century. Right at the beginning His
said to them, ‘Why are you stand- apostles had the privilege of coming
ing here idle all day?’ They said to into the Christian church and fellow-
him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ ship. Later others will join. We must
He said to them, ‘You also go into not claim special places, however,
the vineyard.’When evening came, just because we became Christians
the owner of the vineyard said to before others. Irrespective of the time
his manager, ‘Call the laborers we join His church we are all equally
and give them their pay, beginning precious to God. The generosity
with the last and then going to the of God is highlighted here. What
first.’ When those hired about matters more is not the amount of
five o’clock came, each of them service given, but the love in which it
received the usual daily wage. is given. "All God gives is of grace.
Now when the first came, they We cannot earn or deserve what God
thought they would receive more; gives us; What He gives us is given
but each of them also received the out of the goodness of His heart; it is
usual daily wage. And when they not pay, but a gift; not reward but a
received it, they grumbled against grace." (The new daily study Bible)
the landowner, saying, ‘These last
Prayer Starter

Help us aim at the thrill of work-
ing for the joy of serving. Amen.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

22

Thursday 19th August 2021 St. John Eudes, Priest

(PS Wk IV) (Green/White)

Judges: 11/29-39 are united in the effort to 'get me'. Me,
Psalm: 39/5-10 I'm The Victim! I habitually rationalise
the blame away; putting it on my broth-
( 40/4,6-9) er, sister, nature and lady luck! Looking

Mathew: 22/1-14 at Jephthah, I see a different mind-set.
He views his relationship with Yahweh
seriously; he communes with the Lord
The First Proclamation and makes his vows with commitment.
He accepts and acknowledges that
The spirit of Yahweh was on his choices are his responsibility, and
Jephthah, who crossed ... into Am- understands that they are the source of
monite territory. And Jephthah made what transpires and manifests in his life.
a vow to Yahweh, 'If you deliver the Though lamenting at times the outcome
Ammonites into my grasp, the first of his wows, still remains committed
thing to come out of the doors of my there-to, despite having to face painful
house to meet me when I return in “Let-Go's” and human relational issues.
triumph from fighting the Ammo-
nites shall belong to Yahweh, and I What do we learn here? Radical
shall sacrifice it as a burnt offering.' Responsibility? To stop rejecting the
Jephthah crossed into Ammonite truth that I can be so much better were
territory to attack them,...It was a I to listen to the prompting of the Spirit
very severe defeat, and the Ammo- of God; to become aware that my life is
nites were humbled by the Israelites. a reflection of my moment-to-moment,
As Jephthah returned to his house and day-to-day choices...? I have come
at Mizpah, his daughter came out to realise (to some extent) that lying to
to meet him,.....When he saw her, he myself of my victimhood is unlikely
tore his clothes and exclaimed, 'Oh to improve my condition; ie; serve my
my daughter, what misery you have purpose; that however bitter the truth
brought upon me! You have joined is, it is time for me to turn away from
those who bring misery into my life! the lies and deceptions and petty ratio-
I have made a promise before Yahweh nalisations I've been making to myself.
which I cannot retract.' She replied, Time I faced the truth, accepted the re-
'Father, you have made a promise sponsibility for forging / creating my life
to Yahweh; treat me as the promise taste and journey, and empower myself
that you have made requires, since with empowering thoughts and beliefs.
Yahweh has granted you vengeance
on your enemies the Ammonites.' ….. Prayer Starter

Fix your gaze at Jesus Repenting, let me say, “Lord, I have

Let's peep into my head/heart and gone astray, and am experiencing the
identify our habitual thinking pattern/s! bitter results of my poor choices; the
taste of life I experience is not to my
I normally like to think that I'm liking, and I would like to change it
good, and that I do my very best! I for the better; I appreciate that I reap
routinely convince myself that my life what I've sown, and I see that I've sown
situation is mostly out of my control, poorly...”. I believe in the Good News,
that I'm mostly blameless for my that I am a worthy son and can be so
present situation, that I am a victim of much more (than at present) and better,
circumstances. I tell myself that I'm for that You have created us to be gods, a
sure powerless to change the situation manifestation of your divine!
and circumstances and that the others

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

23

Friday 20th August 2021 St. Bernard, Abbot & Doctor

(PS Wk IV) ( White )

Ruth: 1/1,3-6,14-16,22 Now no human being has that much
Psalm: 145/5-10 of love to offer. It is perfectly human
to feel frustrated, tired and burnt
(146/5-10) out. Most of the time, we know we
Mathew: 22/34-40 struggle to manage our own moods
and needs. This is why we should
The Gospel Proclamation turn to the source of all Love in this
When the Pharisees heard that world. Awaken to His love, in prayer
he had silenced the Sadducees, and through the guidance of the Holy
they gathered together, and one of Spirit throughout the day. If you be-
them, a lawyer, asked him a ques- gin to LOVE God, speak to Him, read
tion to test him. “Teacher, which the Word of God, listen to His will,
commandment in the law is the see his blessings all around you and
greatest?” He said to him, “‘You feel His love and strength filling you
shall love the Lord your God with entirely from within, you will be able
all your heart, and with all your to LOVE your neighbor. This is why
soul, and with all your mind.’This this commandment is like the two
is the greatest and first command- sides of a coin. You cannot LOVE
ment. And a second is like it: ‘You your neighbor, if you don’t LOVE
shall love your neighbor as your- God. You cannot LOVE God, if you
self.’On these two commandments don’t LOVE your neighbor.
hang all the law and the prophets.”
The deep and intimate bond of the
Prayerful Awareness Holy Trinity reveals to us the wisdom
Today the Good News brings behind the word (or rather, the ac-
to us the greatest commandment in tion) LOVE. The love that sacrifices
the world. The law with which the one’s own desires, love that is willing
Lord created the world, created us. to suffer for others, love that is un-
A world governed with love. Now a controlling and forgiving, love that is
loving world is not a world of rain- just and honest, concerned of people
bows and unicorns. It is not a super- in the long run and not encouraging
fluous goal of making everyone hap- them of what will lead to their ruin.
py, the world people are determined The overuse of this word in today’s
to create. No. Happiness can never world in describing actions that are
solve problems. It lasts only for a in reality people pleasing, idolizing
moment and later comes the reality; and adulterous has caused us to lose
the bills, the busy schedules. Instead sight of its real meaning and depth.
the Lord asks us to offer people Let us take a few minutes and awak-
LOVE. So that they know that even en to the love of God that is present
if they go through the darkest times, within this moment.
you will be there for them, you will
ease their burden. Most importantly, Prayer Starter
you should make them set their eyes
upon the One who loves them BEST. Abba Father, empty ourselves
of the tendencies to seek happiness,
and instead fill ourselves with the
JOY of loving.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

24

Saturday 21st August 2021 St.Pius X, Pope

Ruth: 2,1-3,8-11, (PS Wk IV) (White)
4/13-17
himself will be exalted."
Psalm: 127/1-5 Prayerful Awareness
(128/1-5)
In the First Proclamation Boaz
Mathew: 23/1-12 commends Ruth for her generosity to
her Mother in law, her choice to be with
Introduction her and care for her and for not going
The first reading taken from the after young men, whether poor or rich.
Book of Ruth adds a new dimension Both Ruth and Naomi give a solution to
to the 'chosen people' of God of the the conflict among in-laws. The secret
Old Testament. It illustrates the fact was their willingness to be servants of
that God selects people for a particular each other in fear of the Lord. Both
purpose as He wishes irrespective of together with Boaz fulfilled the plan of
race. The three characters presented God in building up the ancestral family
in this short story are God fearing. In of Jesus (see Matthew 1:5 & Ruth).
affirmation the Responsorial Psalm
says 'Blessed is everyone who fears Our Lord in the Gospel Proclama-
the Lord, who walks in his ways!' tion provides us with a clue to follow
Moreover, the behavior and action Him. Whatever He said was translated
of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi is in con- into action unlike the religious leaders
formity with the words of Christ in of His day and many of us today. In
the Gospel Proclamation. 'He who is his letter to the Philippians St. Paul
greatest among you shall be your elaborates this confirming what was
servant;… whoever humbles himself said by Jesus (2:6-11). While our Lord
will be exalted.' (Please read the proc- himself set a vivid example in the very
lamations meditatively.) action of washing the feet of his dis-
ciples, many other Scripture passages
The Gospel Proclamation as well as Mother Mary's Magnificat
Jesus said to the crowds, "…So, affirms this saying (Luke 1:48-55). Let
practice and observe whatever they us turn the searchlight on ourselves.
tell you, but not what they do; for How humble are we? How much do we
they preach but do not practice. … criticize others indicating that we are
They do all their deeds to be seen by superior to them? How much humility
men; …and they love the place of do we have in accepting our shortcom-
honour at feasts and the best seats ings? How much criticism can we take
….and being called Rabbi by men. without reacting vehemently? How
But you are not to be called rabbi, much thankful are we to God for every
for you have one teacher, and you gift He has bestowed upon us whether
are all brethren. And call no man riches, fame, talent or position? Do
your father on earth, for you have we give glory to God or claim it for
one father, who is in heaven. Nei- ourselves in fortune and success?
ther be called masters, for you have
one master, the Christ. He who is Prayer Starter
greatest among you shall be your
servant; whoever exalts himself will O Holy Spirit, show me when I
be humbled, and whoever humbles unconsciously act out of pride and
make me truly humble. Give me one
humiliation per day so that I may be of
humble service to others in fear of God.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

25

Sunday 22nd August 2021 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

(PS Wk I ) (Green)

Joshua: 24/1-2,15-18 journeyed. We too will serve the
Psalm: 33/2-3,16-22 Lord, for he is our God.'

(34/1-2,15-22) Prayerful Awareness
Ephesians:5/21-32
John:6/60-69 It was Moses who gave lead-
ership to the people during their
Introduction journey to the promised-land out
Love and Faith is the foundation of slavery and then it was Joshua to
for a covenant life. Where there is whom the responsibility was handed
love there is faith and where there is over. The meaning of the word 'Josh-
faith there is love both inseparably ua' is God saves. Joshua is a Hebrew
bound together as the bark is to the name, the Greek meaning of which is
tree. Throughout the salvation histo- 'Jesus.' Moreover, here is described
ry many are the instances that God the covenant at 'Shechem' where the
proclaimed His love to His people. crowd that joined the Israelites on
And we find that in every such inci- their way from Egypt and the crowd
dent or rather in most events the Lord already inhabiting the land before the
has made a covenant with them. We Israelites who had some connection
can see how beautifully His covenant to the Israelite culture joined in as
love unfolds. Today Holy Mother the participants to the covenant. In addi-
Church too is inviting us to enter into tion this covenant holds an important
a challenging life of faith. Let us be- place next to the covenant at Sinai. It
gin our prayer pleading with the Lord is with the leadership of Joshua that
for the needed power. Embodying the the Israelites enter the land of prom-
word of God, let us follow the Lord. ise. The very fact that Joshua and all
his family acknowledged God as the
The First Proclamation Lord of their house was a gateway
'If you will not serve the Lord, and provided guidance for the people
choose today whom you wish to to agree and to accept the covenant.
serve…. As for me and my House, Similarly, since then they came to be
we will serve the Lord.' The people one nation, the people of God.
answered, 'We have no intention
of deserting the Lord our God The Second Proclamation
and serving other gods. Was it not
the Lord our God who brought us Give way to one another in
and our ancestors out of the land obedience to Christ. Wives should
of Egypt, the house of slavery, who regard their husbands as they
worked those great wonders before regard the Lord, since as Christ is
our eyes and preserved us all along head of the Church and saves the
the way we travelled and among whole body, so is a husband the
all the peoples through whom we head of his wife; and as the Church
submits to Chris, so should wives
to their husbands, in everything.
Husbands should love their wives
just as Christ loved the Church
and sacrificed himself for her….

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

26 with Him. Here the Lord questions
the twelve (the apostles). 'What
Prayerful Awareness about you, do you too want to go
away?' Peter's answer was, "Lord
In the letter of St. Paul address- who shall we go to? You have the
ing the Ephesian community is message of eternal life.' Today is an
spelled out the Christian values that invitation through the Gospel to gaze
a Christian family should possess. on Christ himself and to enter into a
Mentioned here are not only unity, covenant life, to a new relationship
being one in mind and heart, mutual with Him.
acceptance and respect but agreeing
with one another as well as love, Towards our sonship
peace and joy indirectly. Moreover,
the family is a Christian community. When we are faced with severe
The community (the Church) is the storms in the form of various prob-
body of Christ. In a family husband lems, struggle and sickness Christ
and wife are bound together through the Lord comes to us at the most
a covenant which is not simply a unexpected moments. At times His
covenant but they are bound together words disturb us. It is like a two
with the covenant love of Christ. edged sword and a hammer that
Family is the first unit of communal crushes down rocks. At other times
life. The existence of community life it is like a fire. When it is most un-
that is formed with several families bearable we feel like leaving Him
is the true model of the participatory just as the disciples did. As St. Peter
Church. said, 'Lord who shall we go to? You
have the message of eternal life.'
The Gospel Proclamation We have to take a decision. That is
till death to journey with the Lord.
'It is the spirit that gives life, He has given us a promise, the great
the flesh has nothing to offer. The promise 'I will be with you.' Let us
words I have spoken to you are walk in the covenant relationship
spirit and they are life. But there that is being renewed at every mo-
are some of you who do not be- ment and enter into prayer pleading
lieve.' ….Simon Peter answered, for the power.
'Lord who shall we go to? You have
the message of eternal life, and we "The Lord is close to the bro-
believe; we know that you are the ken hearted; those whose spirit is
Holy One of God.' crushed he will save" (Psalm 34:18).

Fix your gaze on the Lord Prayer Starter

The sixth chapter of St. John's O God, who causes the minds of
Gospel starts with the feeding of the the faithful to unite in a single pur-
five thousand. The Lord speaks to pose, grant your people to love what
us too when we are facing difficulty you command and to desire what you
and disappointment. According to promise, that, amid the uncertainties
the Gospel the Lord spoke to the of this world, our hearts may be fixed
disciples who followed Him of what on that place where true gladness is
He was going to accomplish in the found. (Collect)
future, that is of the Eucharistic life.
This for some was quite unbearable
that they left Him and stopped going

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

27

Monday 23rd August 2021 St.Rose de Lima, Virgin

(PS Wk I) (Green/White)

1 Thessalonians: 1/1-5 striving for, even in the midst of trials,
8-10 and when all forms of tangible hope are
absent? It is Jesus.
Psalm: 149/1-6,9
Mathew: 23/13-22 Claiming Jesus as the Lord and
Savior is life-changing, life-affirming,
The First Proclamation and life-giving. In today’s first procla-
…We give thanks to God always mation, we see how the conversion of
for all of you, … remembering before the Thessalonians completely trans-
our God and Father your work of formed this group of people, and their
faith and labor of love and steadfast- faith in God “sounded forth…every-
ness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. where.” St. Paul beautifully notes that
For we know, brothers loved by God, the gospel took root, not simply by lis-
that he has chosen you, because our tening to words, but by the Holy Spirit
gospel came to you not only in word, moving in their hearts with power. They
but also in power and in the Holy were reborn in the Spirit and received
Spirit and with full conviction… For new sight to see the emptiness of idols
not only has the word of the Lord and the richness of the living God. Not
sounded forth from you in Macedo- even the Pharisees, blinded by their
nia and Achaia, but your faith in God own self-righteousness and greed,
has gone forth everywhere, so that we could see that the true treasure was not
need not say anything...and how you the gold or the gift of the temple, but
turned to God from idols to serve the being able to stand in the presence of
living and true God, and to wait for God and experience His love.
his Son from heaven, whom he raised
from the dead, Jesus who delivers us Nothing is ever wasted by making
from the wrath to come. Jesus our plan and goal and ambition.
In Him, we experience joy and peace
The Gospel Proclamation that surpasses all understanding. The
“But woe to you, scribes and trials and storms may continue to rage,
Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut not everything in our life may make
the kingdom of heaven in people's sense, but we are not overwhelmed.
faces. For you neither enter your- The Holy Spirit guides our gaze up-
selves nor allow those who would wards, and a song of joy begins to rise
enter to go in…. You blind men! For in our hearts, because even when we
which is greater, the gift or the altar have nothing, we see we still have Him.
that makes the gift sacred? … Jesus, who gave his life on the cross
for our sins, and for whom we wait
Prayerful Awareness in anticipation. May we live our life
A popular question asked at inter- dedicated to Jesus, so by our example,
views is “Where do you see yourself we too can point others to the Kingdom
in five years?” proceeded by the in- of Heaven.
terviewee’s answer about ambitions
and goals and plans. But as the future Prayer Starter
grows increasingly uncertain, it begs
the question, for what or whom do I love you, O Lord, my strength.
we live? What is consistently worth The Lord is my rock and my fortress
and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in
whom I take refuge, my shield, and the
horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psalm 18:1-2)

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

28

Tuesday 24th August 2021 St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Revelation: 21/9-14 (PS Wk I) (Red)
Psalm: 144/10-13,17-18
another wiser strategy of inviting
(145/10-13,17-18) Nathaniel “come, and see” for
John: 1/45-51 himself who this Jesus claimed to be.

The Gospel Proclamation When Philip brought Nathanael
Philip found Nathanael and to Jesus, Jesus did something which
said to him, “We have found only God could do! He opened
him about whom Moses in the Nathanael's heart and his innermost
law and also the prophets wrote, thoughts and desires to God's revela-
Jesus son of Joseph from Naz- tion. Nathaniel recognized the power
areth.” Nathanael said to him, and divinity of Jesus and accepted
“Can anything good come out of Him by saying "Rabbi, you are
Nazareth?” Philip said to him, the Son of God! You are the King
“Come and see.” When Jesus saw of Israel!".
Nathanael coming toward him, he
said of him, “Here is truly an Isra- Jesus' response to Nathanael's
elite in whom there is no deceit!” new faith in accepting Jesus as the
Nathanael asked him, “Where Messiah is the promise that Jesus
did you get to know me?” Jesus himself will open the way to heaven
answered, “I saw you under the for Nathaniel.
fig tree before Philip called you.”
Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you When we are receptive to the
are the Son of God! You are the word of Christ and when we see his
King of Israel!” Jesus answered, love in action, the Lord Jesus him-
“Do you believe because I told self, through the power of the Holy
you that I saw you under the fig Spirit, touches our hearts and opens
tree? You will see greater things our minds to recognize that He truly
than these.” And he said to him, is the Son of God who reveals the
“Very truly, I tell you, you will Father's love and truth to us.
see heaven opened and the angels
of God ascending and descending Jesus’ promise to his faithful
upon the Son of Man.” ‘Heaven, new Jerusalem” is de-
scribed in the First Proclamation:
Prayerful Awareness it descends onto earth after the ulti-
When Philip encountered Jesus mate victory over evil.
he couldn’t conceal it; he was eager
to convince his friend that Jesus was Prayer Starter
Messiah but his explanation didn’t
touch Nathaniel’s heart. Nathaniel Heavenly Father, through Your
was skeptical and thought it was not Son Jesus Christ, You have opened
possible for the Messiah to come the way to heaven for each one of us.
from Nazareth. Then Philip took Lord reveal Yourself to me that I may
recognize Your presence with me and
know the power of Your kingdom at
work in my life. May I always find
joy and peace in Your presence and
never lose sight of Your everlasting
Kingdom."

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

Wednesday 25thAugust 2021 29

1 Thessalonians: 2/9- St. Louis, St. Joseph calasanz,
13 Priest (PS Wk I) (Green/White)
challenges and setbacks and depend on
Psalm: 138/7-12 Father God from moment to moment.
(139/7-12) The biggest set-back to Jesus' mis-
sion came from the teachers of the Law,
Mathew: 23/27-32 Pharisees and Scribes and religious
leaders who were supposed to have
The Gospel Proclamation been defenders of the faith. They were
"Woe to you, scribes and Phar- distorting and ignoring the essence
isees, hypocrites! For you are like of the Law and misinterpreting them.
white washed tombs, which outward- So, Jesus challenged their conduct by
ly appear beautiful, but within they saying, "You hypocrites, you are like
are full of dead men's bones and all white washed tombs which on the
uncleanness. So you also outwardly outside look beautiful, but inside
appear righteous to men, but within there are only dead bones, decaying
you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. corpses." Jesus spoke harshly against
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, the religious teachers who were frauds
hypocrites! For you build the tombs and who shut the door to the Kingdom
of the prophets and adorn the monu- of God for those seeking to enter.
ments of the righteous, saying, 'If we Certainly, sincerity stands opposite
had lived in the days of our fathers, to hypocrisy. It springs forth from a
we would not have taken part with peaceful character, one that is touched
them in shedding the blood of the by the love of God and extends to the
prophets.' Thus you witness against neighbor-hood for their well being. A
yourselves, that you are sons of those sincere person is ruled by love, com-
who murdered the prophets. Fill up, passion and mercy as the heart of Christ
then, the measure of your fathers." is. A sincere person is an agent of peace
and care. He is kindhearted and gentle.
Prayerful Awareness Today's First reading is taken from a
Our Lord Jesus Christ emptied letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonian
His heavenly divinity and came to the community for whom he labored much.
world to establish the Kingdom of God He continuously gives thanks to our
with all the richness of the values, love, Lord on their behalf for their conduct.
faith, mercy, peace, justice, righteous-
ness and forgiveness. Such was the Towards us
dream of Father God to win the whole
creation, grant salvation and an ever- Let me examine my inner self. Al-
lasting life of bliss. God proclaimed though I am not seriously flawed like
His wish through the prophet Isaiah the Pharisees there is a human tendency
by revealing the mission of Jesus read to appear good before people. To a cer-
out in the presence of the congregation tain extent I too use makeup to hide my
at the Synagogue in His own town, guilty spots, to cover my weaknesses.
Nazareth. Jesus, convinced that the Holy Spirit, help me to be sincere at
proclamation was literally his mission all times. Also, help me to conduct
statement, committed himself to fulfill myself as St. Paul says devotedly and
this task for which he had to face many justly before people where appearance
and reality merge into one. This I ask
in the Name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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30

Thursday 26th August 2021 (PS Wk I) (Green)

1 Thessalonians: 3/7- build up close relationships with Him
13 and also with God the Father, to know
His LOVE, Mercy and His Will for our
Psalm: 89/3-4,12-14,17 lives. The Holy Spirit will dwell with-
( 90/3-4,12-14,17 ) in us, Guide and Help us all the time
(Jn. 14: 15-23). We must accept Him
Mathew: 24/42-51 in, and make Him our Counselor and
Best Friend and abide by Him. He will
The Gospel Proclamation be there to advise us as our Advocate,
Help us and grant us Wisdom all the
Therefore, stay awake! For you time we ask. He will guide us to Great
do not know on which day your Lord Heights, do miracles in our lives and
will come. Be sure of this: if the mas- through our lives. Evil forces in this
ter of the house had known the hour World will try to grab more persons
of night when the thief was coming, into sinful and selfish living satisfying
he would have stayed awake and not desires of flesh, destroying souls. The
let his house be broken into. So too, Lord wants us to be awake all the
you also must be prepared, for at an time so as not to get caught by them.
hour you do not expect, the Son of Hebrews 9:27 reminds us to be ready
Man will come. “Who, then, is the and stay awake, "It is destined that each
faithful and prudent servant, whom person dies only once and after that
the master has put in charge of his comes judgment." We should analyse
household to distribute to them their and see whether our lives are in order?
food at the proper time? Blessed is If not, repent and change. Ask the Holy
that servant whom his master on his Spirit to enlighten us, show our weak-
arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say nesses or sins, accept them, repent and
to you, he will put him in charge of change. Then ask the Holy Spirit to take
all his property. But if that wicked us to our Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ to
servant says to himself, ‘My master renew our relationship to resume our
is long delayed,’ and begins to beat journey with the Holy Spirit to allow
his fellow servants, and eat and drink the Lord to raise us to the level He wan
with drunkards, the servant’s master ts.
will come on an unexpected day and
at an unknown hour and will punish First Reading St. Paul’s prayer to
him severely and assign him a place Thessalonians reminds us to stand with
with the hypocrites, where there will the Lord in Faith, to pray Night and
be wailing and grinding of teeth. Day more abundantly in joy. And may
the Lord multiply you, and make you
Prayerful Awareness abound in charity towards one another,
and towards all men: as we do also
This parable teaches us to be towards you.
ready to leave this world at anytime.
If we have done what Jesus Christ has Prayer Starter
taught us to do and lived following all
His Commandments, then Jesus can Lord Jesus, our Saviour and Lord,
accept us just the way we are either at Send us the Holy Spirit of God to fol-
death or at the Second Coming of Lord, low all Your Teachings and to live with
whichever comes first. Jesus Helps us, joy fulfilling Your Will, sharing and
by sending to us the Holy Spirit of God, spreading Your message of Salvation
to know about everything and also to to everyone, Amen.

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31

Friday 27th August 2021 St. Monica (PS Wk I) (White)

1 Thessalonians: 4/1-8 speaks to the Thessalonians with
Psalm: 96/ 1-2,5-6,10- self-satisfaction that the community
has not only accepted the word about
12 Jesus with passion, they have also gone
( 97/ 1-2,5-6,10-12) out to set an example to many in and
Mathew: 25/1-13 around Macedonia and Achaia. Being
a gentile community, St Paul especially
The Gospel Proclamation commends them for giving up their
practices of idol worship. Similarly,
“At that time the Kingdom of the Gospel also reminds us of the
heaven will be like this. Once there importance of being prepared. It is
were ten young women who took a simple life skill that we prepare for
their oil lamps and went out to meet any task at hand. It is a process that
the bridegroom. Five of them were happens before an event. Applying the
foolish, and the other five were wise. same thoughts about preparedness, the
The foolish ones took their lamps but Gospel leads us to reflect on our own
did not take any extra oil with them, personal preparedness to receive Christ
while the wise ones took containers when he returns.
full of oil for their lamps. The bride-
groom was late in coming, so the Salvation is a choice. In that, vari-
women began to nod and fall asleep. ous people make different choices. Out
“It was already midnight when the of the ten virgins, five stayed hopeful
cry rang out, ‘Here is the bride- to the message that the bridegroom will
groom! Come and meet him!’ The return. Therefore, they stored sufficient
ten women woke up and trimmed oil until the bridegroom returned at an
their lamps. Then the foolish ones unexpected hour. The other five virgins
said to the wise ones, ‘Let us have opted to postpone their priority of wait-
some of your oil, because our lamps ing. As a result, when the bridegroom
are going out.’ ‘No, indeed,’ the wise returned at an unexpected hour, they
ones answered, ‘there is not enough completely missed their opportunity
for you and for us. Go to the shop and to meet him because they did not have
buy some for yourselves.’....and while sufficient oil in their lamps. Our pre-
they were gone, the bridegroom ar- paredness for the Lord must happen
rived. The five who were ready went in every little way, throughout the day
in with him to the wedding feast, and in everything we do. For those of
and the door was closed. “Later the us who have been given the message
other women arrived. ‘Sir, sir! Let us of Christ and if we still prioritize other
in!’ they cried out. ‘Certainly not! I things in our life, it will be a terrible
don't know you,’ the bridegroom an- thing to hear the Lord's voice say to us
swered.” And Jesus concluded, “Be “I do not know you”.
on your guard, then, because you do
not know the day or the hour. ' Prayer Starter

Prayerful Awareness Dear Holy Spirit, you are with us
forever to help us live our Christian
Through the message in 1 Thessalo- lives meaningfully. We pray today for
nians, St Paul reiterates the importance the gift of “continuous awareness” of
of staying alive to the message of Christ the Holy Spirit so that we will be re-
in your day to day life, while awaiting minded always to live in harmony with
in hope for the return of Christ. He the hope that “Jesus will come again”.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

32

Saturday 28th August 2021 St.Augustine, Bishop & Doctor

(PS Wk I) (White)

1 Thessalonians: 4/9- The talents would be the opportunities
11 we have to serve the Lord. Not all of us
have the same opportunities or abilities.
Psalm: 97/1,7-9 Jesus does not expect performance out
( 98/1,7-9) of us of which we are incapable, but He
does expect us to do what we can. We
Mathew: 25/14-30 owe everything we are to the Lord. We
belong to Him. In this parable we see
The Gospel Proclamation one had more ability and therefore was
given more opportunity. His respon-
"…Once there was a man who sibility increased, with his increased
was about to leave home on a jour- ability, and because of his success even
ney; he called his servants and put more opportunity was afforded him. But
them in charge of his property. He the master was equally pleased with the
gave to each one according to his two men because they did the best with
ability: .….the master.. came back what they had.
and settled accounts with them.
The servant who had received five They are both commended and invit-
thousand coins came in…"You gave ed to enter into the joy of their master.
me five thousand coins… Here are The Lord requires more out of those
another five thousand that I have whom He has given more. Men are not
earned. "Well done, you good and equal in ability, but they can be equal in
faithful servant!'….Come..and share effort! The third man failed not because
my happiness!' Then the servant who he only had one talent but because he
had been given two thousand coins did not try. He wasted that with which
came in….,"....Come.. and share he had been blessed. He said he was
my happiness!' Then the servant afraid. When the day of accounting/
who had received one thousand judgement comes will we say that we
coins came in and said, "Sir,….I was were afraid? Ignorant? Misguided?
afraid, so I went off and hid your Foolish? Unable? Quite simply, there is
money in the ground...Here is what no excuse for wasted lives made up of
belongs to you.' "You bad and lazy wasted moments when we were too busy
servant!'….."Well, then, you should with other things, and not busy enough
have deposited my money in the with His. God has placed His trust in us
bank,....Now, take the money away and given us abilities and opportunities,
from him and give it to the one who what have we done with them? Are we
has ten thousand coins. For every ready to give an account to Him? What
person who has something, even will He say?
more will be given, and he will have
more than enough; but the person Prayer Starter
who has nothing, even the little that
he has will be taken away from him. We thank and Praise you Lord that
....throw him outside in the dark- you have chosen us to be your children
ness; … and blessed us with many abilities and
opportunities. Grant us the grace and
Prayerful Awareness the wisdom to recognize these abilities
and make use of the opportunities you
In this parable the Kingdom of have blessed us with and bring you
heaven is compared to a man going on glory and give praise to your holy
a journey. Before he leaves he entrusts name. Amen.
his property/talents to his servants/us.

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Sunday 29th August 2021 33

Deuteronomy: 4/1-2, 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
6-8 (PS Wk II) (Green)

Psalm: 14/2-5 they will exclaim, "No other people
(15/1-5) is so wise and prudent as this great
nation." And indeed, what great
Jamse: 1/17-18,21-22, nation is there that has its gods so
27 near as the Lord our God is to us
whenever we call to him? …
Mathew: 7/1-8,14-15,
21-23 Prayerful Awareness

Introduction Deuteronomy is the second con-
The First Proclamation declares stitution and the term given to the
that if the people of Israel observe fifth book of the Old Testament. What
the Laws given by God they will Moses declared in Deuteronomy was
be an example to the non believers that people must add nothing to what
living with them who will in turn he commands them, and take nothing
get to know the goodness of God. from it," and also that they should be
Similarly, what is presented by the obedient and listen to the voice of God
Gospel Proclamation is that living recalling every good thing performed
in accordance with the message of on their behalf during the entire forty
the Gospel will bring about good year journey that God brought them
but man will be defiled by simply through since His command is good.
keeping to human traditions against
the command of God. The Second Proclamation

The First Proclamation It is all that is good, everything
Moses said to the people: 'Now, that is perfect, which is given us
Israel, take notice of the laws and from above; it comes down from the
customs that I teach you today, Father of all light; with him there is
and observe them, that you may no such thing as alteration, no shad-
have life and may enter and take ow of a change. By his own choice he
possession of the land that the Lord made us his children by the message
the God of your fathers is giving of the truth so that we should be a
you. You must add nothing to what sort of first-fruits of all that he had
I command you, and take nothing created. Accept and submit to the
from it, but keep the command- word which has been planted in you
ments of the Lord your God just and can save your souls. …
as I lay them down for you. Keep
them, observe them, and they will Prayerful Awareness
demonstrate to the peoples your
wisdom and understanding. When St. James is one of the twelve apos-
they come to know of all these laws tles. The exhortation through his letter
is to accept and submit to the word
given to us and to be in the presence
of God pure and blameless by keeping
to the word without getting defiled
by vain desires. "He chose us in him
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless
before him" (Eph. 1:4).

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34 the worship they offer is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only
The Gospel Proclamation human regulations since what their
religious leaders have taught them
The Pharisees and some of the as religion is only their own laws
scribes who had come from Jerusa- and traditions. He explained to them
lem gathered round Jesus, and they that what should really be observed
noticed that some of his disciples is the command of God and affirmed
were eating with unclean hands, that tough external and orderly prin-
that is, without washing them. ciples are man-made. Christ further
For the Pharisees, and the Jews emphasized that the heart of man is
in general, follow the tradition of made defiled simply through the evil
the elders … There are also many that comes from within.
other observances which have been
handed down to them….. So the Towards our sonship
Pharisees and scribes asked him,
'Why do your disciples not respect God has chosen us to be pure
the tradition of the elders but eat and blameless before Him. Man will
their food with unclean hands?' inherit the spirit of sonship, partic-
… He answered, '…. You put aside ipation in the Kingdom, eternal life
the commandment of God to cling and everything else not through the
to human traditions.' He called doctrines and traditions of man but
the people to him again and said, through grace. Holiness and purity
'Listen to me, all of you, and un- does not depend on matters external
derstand. Nothing that goes into a but they should emerge from men's
man from outside can make him un- hearts. Thus the Scriptures teach us
clean; it is the things that come out very specifically today that it is ex-
of a man that make him unclean. tremely good to abide in God leading
For it is from within, from men's a virtuous life with total trust and
hearts, that evil intentions emerge: hope in Him. Therefore when we ac-
fornication, theft, murder, adultery, knowledge with our whole heart and
avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, soul that Jesus Christ is our only Lord
envy, slander, pride, folly. All these and Savior, the Holy Spirit will reveal
evil things come from within and what is true and the way to salvation.
make a man unclean.
Prayer Starter
Fix your gaze at Jesus
Lord, who shall dwell on your
The apostles being with Jesus holy mountain? He who walks with-
behaved free of rigourous laws, tra- out fault; he who acts with justice and
ditions, rites and rituals of the Phari- speaks the truth from his heart.
sees. Christ came to this world not to
abolish the law but to make it whole. He who does no wrong to his
Yet Pharisees and some of the Scribes brother, who casts no slur on his
did not want to listen to Him. Not only neighbor, who holds the godless in
did they oppose His teachings but also disdain, but honours those who fear
planned to get rid of Him. Getting into the Lord.
argument with Jesus they blamed Him
asking why not follow the traditions He who keeps his pledge, come
and the observances of the elders. Yet what may; ….such a man will stand
Jesus Christ reminding them of the firm forever (Psalm 14:2-5).
prophecy of prophet Isaiah said that

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

35

Monday 30th August 2021 (PS Wk II) (Green)

1 Thessalonians: 4/13- but instead sow doubt immediately
18 changing the atmosphere “from peace
to war”, from “admiration to anger”.
Psalm: 95/1,3-5,11-13
( 96/1,3-5,11-13) But Jesus responds with silence
before those “who wanted to throw
Luke: 4/16-30 him out of the city”. They were not
thinking, they were shouting. Jesus
The First proclamation stayed silent… The Gospel passage
ends with: “But he passed through
.....For since we believe that the midst of them and went on his
Jesus died and rose again, ....For way.” (Luke 4:30)
the Lord himself, with a cry of com-
mand, with the archangel’s call and Jesus’ Divine Sonship shines
with the sound of God’s trumpet, through this “silence that triumphs
will descend from heaven, and the over” his attackers. The same thing
dead in Christ will rise first. Then would happen again on Good Friday,
we who are alive, who are left, will The people who were shouting ‘crucify
be caught up in the clouds together him’had praised Jesus on Palm Sunday
with them to meet the Lord in the shouting, ‘Blessed are You, Son of
air; and so we will be with the Lord David’. They had changed. But Jesus
forever. Therefore encourage one stayed silent.
another with these words.
Our sonship
The Gospel Proclamation
The truth is humble and silent and
… and the scroll of the prophet is not noisy, acknowledging that what
Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled Jesus did is not easy. However, “our
the scroll and found the place where sonship is anchored in the power of
it was written: “The Spirit of the God, and his providence”. Even in
Lord is upon me, because he has a family or a community, there are
anointed me to bring good news to times when division occurs because
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim of “discussions on politics, ideolo-
release to the captives and recovery gies, money”. It is Silence and prayer
of sight to the blind, to let the op- in these cases that will make you a
pressed go free, to proclaim the year witness to the Lord Jesus Christ: With
of the Lord’s favor.” … people lacking goodwill, with people
who only seek scandal, who seek only
Gaze at Jesus division, who seek only destruction,
even within the family and our com-
When Jesus came to the syna- munity: silence, prayer.
gogue, people were curious. They
wanted to see the fellow countryman Prayer Starter
they had heard was doing miracles in
other towns. Instead of satisfying their Protect me, May the Lord give us
curiosity, Jesus uses only “the Word the grace to discern when we should
of God”. This is the attitude Jesus speak and when we should stay silent.
adopted when confronting the devil. This applies to every part of life: to
Jesus’ humility opens the door to his work, at home, in society…. Thus we
first words meant to construct a bridge will be closer imitators of Jesus.

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

36

Tuesday 31st August 2021 (PS Wk II ) (Green)

1 Thessalonians:5/1- identity of Jesus but not the people
6 ,9-11 since the former calls Him 'the Holy
One of God' (4:36). Also in the infan-
Psalm: 26/1,4,13-14 cy stories of Luke we find the Angel
(27/1,4,13-14) messengers revealing him to be the
same (1:35, 2:11) which means the
Luke: 4/31 -37 invisible spirits, good and evil, know
that Jesus is the Messiah but the people
The Gospel Proclamation have not yet discovered this.

And he went to Capernaum, a Towards our sonship
city of Galilee. And he was teaching
them on the sabbath; and they were In which category are we? Are
astonished at his teaching, for his we still seeking to fulfill our wants,
word was with authority. And in the material not spiritual through Him
synagogue there was a man who had or just being amazed at His authority
the spirit of an unclean demon; and and power without really recognizing
he cried out with a loud voice, "Ah!" His role as Messiah, our Redeemer?
What have you to do with us, Jesus of If we have really passed these stages
Nazareth? Have you come to destroy and identified ourselves as sons and
us? I know who you are, the Holy daughters of light as mentioned in the
One of God." But Jesus rebuked first proclamation then let us reflect
him saying, "Be silent, and come out and pray for what is expected of us
of him!" And when the demon had according to the First Proclamation.
thrown him down in the midst, he
came out of him, having done him no Prayer Starter
harm. And they were all amazed and
said to one another, "What is this Lord we know that the present
word? For with authority and power times are so panicky and the future
he commands the unclean spirits, unpredictable that different sectors
and they come out." And reports of spread the information of your second
him went out into every place in the coming to be very near. Yet the letter
surrounding region. to the Thessalonians is very clear of
our Christian duty. Since we are not in
Prayerful Awareness darkness, we are all sons and daugh-
ters of the light and of the day. We are
The above proclamation that Luke not of the night or of darkness. So help
narrates is about the welcomse and ac- us not sleep but keep awake. Since we
ceptance Jesus received at Capernaum belong to the day, help us be sober
after His rejection at Nazareth (Luke and put on the breastplate of faith
4:21-30). Why did people reject Him and love, and for a helmet the hope
at Nazareth? Maybe because He did of salvatio n. God has not destined
not fit into their frame of mind and did us for wrath, but to obtain salvation
not perform the miracles they expected through our Lord Jesus Christ, who
of Him. Yet, the people at Capernaum died for us that whether we wake or
accepted Him and the people felt the sleep, might live with Him. Therefore O
authority with which He preached. Holy Spirit, guide us and be with us in
encouraging one another and building
Secondly, as the narrative develops each other up.
it seems the demons recognize the

"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

37
"JESUS CHRIST IS LORD"

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