Dear Friends In Christ, Be with Jesus now in a few words of prayer for yourself, your family, friends and me, and may the Lords Blessing be with all of you. November 21st,2013 Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Priest Message for TODAY Mary our Mother – Faith: In today’s Gospel we see Mary, as the Mother of Jesus who is fully human and fully divine. This reveals that God’s Will is not always easy to understand and accept, yet, Mary continues to trust God and live her life to the full. How often do we ignore God and live as though God is incidental to our lives? Msgr Philip Heng,S.J. TODAYS FIRST READING 1 Maccabees 2: 15-29 The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias: “You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: “Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.” As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar. At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu. Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there. TODAYS PSALM Psalm 50: 1-2,5-6,14-15 To the upright I will show the saving power of God. God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his justice; for God himself is the judge. R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. “Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; Then call upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.” R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. TODAYS GOSPEL LUKE 19: 41-44 As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” TODAYS REFLECTION Today, we celebrate the Presentation of Mary, and what we know of the Presentation comes from Luke’s account of the Presentation of Jesus (Lk.2:22-40) where the requirements of the Torah were fulfilled. Baby girls were not generally presented in the Temple, but tradition has always held Mary in high esteem, and tradition has it that she was retained in the Temple after her presentation, and was carefully prepared for her sacred task. She brought Jesus into the world by doing the will of the Father in Heaven. We know that she is regarded as the “preeminent and altogether singular member of the Church” (Lumen Gentium), and she lived a “pilgrimage of faith” for she was a model and exemplar of faith, charity and union with Christ. When Jesus asked Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? i.e. the members of his extended family? he was not rejecting her. Rather, he was proclaiming that dedication to the will of the Father is the mark of His true family, for who else, if not Mary, was more obedient to the Father’s will? Bishop Fulton Sheen says, “Obedience does not mean the execution of orders given by a drill sergeant. It springs, rather, from the love of an order, and love of Him who gave it. The merit of obedience ... is in the love.” (The World’s First Love: Chapter 8). Our celebration today is for Mary, blessed for her biological relationship with her Son, but even more blessed for her dedication to her Father’s will. Lord, may Mary’s prayers help us to obey always Your will. Amen. TODAYS MEDITATION What is the enemy of peace in our homes, cities, and nations and what keeps us from a good relationship with God and with our neighbor? When Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem he wept over it because it inhabitants did not know the things that make for peace (Luke 19:42). Jesus fulfills the beatitude for those who weep and for those who make peace – blessed are those who mourn ...blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:4,9). That is why Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified not only for the sins of its inhabitants but to reconcile the whole world – all who have sinned – with God. Mourning and weeping over sin and unfaithfulness leads to true peace and reconciliation not only with God but with our neighbor as well. Do you know the peace which makes for lasting friendship, joy, and unity? Jesus earthly ministry centers and culminates in Jerusalem, which scripture describes as the holy city, the throne of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17);and the place which God chose for his name to dwell there (1Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 21:4; 2 Kings 23:27); and the holy mountain upon which God has set his king (Psalm 2:6). Jerusalem derives its name from the word salem which mean peace. The temple in Jerusalem was a constant reminder to the people of Gods presence with them. Why does Jesus weep and lament for this city? Its inhabitants had rejected the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord because of their pride and unbelief. Now they refuse to listen to Jesus who comes as their Messiah – whom God has anointed to be their Savior and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus entrance into Jerusalem was a gracious visitation of Gods anointed King to his holy city. Jerusalems lack of faith and rejection of the Messiah, however, leads to its devastation and destruction. Jesus lamentation and prophecy echoes the lamentation of Jeremiah who prophesied the first destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Jeremiahs lamentation offered hope of deliverance and restoration: But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies are new every morning ...For the Lord will not cast off for ever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men (Lamentations 3:21-22, 31-32). Jesus is the hope of the world because he is the only one who can truly reconcile us with God and with one another. Through his death and resurrection Jesus breaks down the walls of hostility and division by reconciling us with God. He gives us his Holy Spirit both to purify us and restore us as a holy people of God. Through Christ we become living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). God has visited his people in the past and he continues to visit us through the gift and working of his Holy Spirit. Do you recognize Gods gracious visitation today? When God visits his people he comes to establish peace and justice by rooting out our enemies – sin and Satan who enslave us to fear and pride, rebellion and hatred, envy and covetousness, strife and violence, and every form of evil. That is why God both judges and purifies his people – to lead us from our sinful ways to his way of justice, peace, love, and holiness. God actively works among his people to teach us his ways and to save us from the destruction of sin and Satan. Are Gods judgments unjust or unloving? Scripture tells us that when Gods judgments are revealed in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9). To pronounce judgment on sin is much less harsh than what will happen if those who sin are not warned to repent. The Lord in his mercy gives us grace and time to turn away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a moment, we may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up. Do you accept the grace to turn away from sin and to walk in Gods way of peace and holiness? Lord Jesus, you have visited and redeemed your people. May I not miss the grace of your visitation today as you move to bring your people into greater righteousness and holiness of life. Purify my heart and mind that I may I understand your ways and conform my life more fully to your will. Praise the Lord! (Dear Lord..We Pray to YOU for your Grace to the family of the sender and the receivers of this email. Amen) I may not able to give you bread to live but I can supplement your daily BREAD for earthly and heavenly LIFE. Raphael Selvam +6012-7825655 Skype: Selvam5655 Facebook: selvam5655@ymail We can bring Christs Good News to everyone. Allow the Lord to use our talents, hearts even our weakness for His greater Glorious Grace. Forward this mail to your love ones, relatives and friends. Let them receive Lords Communion for Life. They too can join us to receive this daily prayer email by requesting to us. Give to all the Bread of Life. God Bless All
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:48:20 +0000
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