PSALMS 125

THE SECURITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

which can never be shaken, never be moved.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds His people, now and forever.

The wicked will not always rule over the land of the righteous;

If they did, the righteous themselves might do evil.

Lord, do good to those who are good,

to those who obey your commands.

But when you punish the wicked,

Punish also those who abandon your ways,

Peace be with Israel!

Act for the day

Let us offer today’s Holy Rosary for the intentions of the Holy Pope and the church.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ.

THE BOOK OF JUDITH

JUDITH’S SONG OF PRAISE

Judith sang a song of thanksgiving there with all Israel present, and the people joined in this song of praise. She sang,

“Praise my God and sing to Him;

Praise the Lord with drums and cymbals;

play a new song for Him.

Praise Him and call on Him for help.

The Lord is a warrior who ends war.

He rescued me from my pursuers and

brought me back to His people’s camp.

Down from the mountains of the north

came the Assyrians,

with their tens of thousands of soldiers.

Their troops blocked the rivers in the valleys;

their cavalry covered the mountains.

They threatened to set fire to our country,

slaughter our young men,

dash our babies to the ground,

take our children away as captives,

and carry off all our young women.

But the Lord Almighty tricked them:

He used a woman to stop them.

Their hero was not slain by young soldiers

or attacked and killed by mighty giants.

It was Judith, the daughter of Merari,

who brought him down with her beauty.

She gave victory to the oppressed people of Israel,

when she took off her widow’s clothes

and put on a linen dress to entice him.

She put on her rich perfumes and

tied a ribbon round her hair.

Her dainty sandal caught his eye,

her beauty captured his heart.

Then the sword slashed through his neck.

The Persians trembled at her daring;

the Medes were amazed at her bravery.

Then our people shouted in victory.

They had been weak and oppressed,

but they forced the enemy

to retreat in panic and fear.

We are descendants of slaves,

but our enemies turned and ran;

we killed them like runaway slaves.

They were destroyed by the army of the Lord.

“I will sing a new song to my God.

O Lord, you are strong and glorious!

You have never been defeated.

Let all your creatures serve You.

You gave the command,

and all of them came into being;

You breathed on them

and all of them were created.

No one can oppose your command.

The mountains and the seas tremble,

and rocks melt like wax when you come near.

But there is mercy for all who obey you.

The Lord is more pleased with those who obey Him

than with all the choice meat on the altar,

or with all the most fragrant sacrifices.

The nations who rise up against

my people are doomed.

The Lord Almighty will punish them

On Judgment Day.

He will send fire and worms

to devour their bodies

and they will be in pain forever.

JUDITH’S FAME

When the people arrived in Jerusalem, they purified themselves and worshipped God.   They presented their burnt offerings, freewill offerings and gifts.  Judith dedicated to God all Holofernes’ property which the people had given to her. And as a special offering in fulfillment of a vow, she presented the Lord the mosquito net which she had taken from Holofernes’ bed.  For three months the people continued to celebrate in front of the Temple in Jerusalem and Judith stayed there with them. 

When the celebrations had ended everyone returned home and Judith went back to Bethulia to live on her own estate.  For the rest of her life she was famous throughout the land of Israel.  Many men wanted to marry her but she never remarried after the death of her husband Manasseh.  Her fame continued to spread, and she lived in the house her husband had left her.  Before she died, Judith divided her property among her husband’s and her own close relatives and set her slave-woman free.  When she died in Bethulia at the age of 105, she was buried beside her husband and the people of Israel mourned her death for seven days.  As long as Judith lived, and for many years after her death, no one dared to threaten the people of Israel.

(Judith 16:1 – 25)

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED

The Holy Bible says, “So, then, my brothers, try even harder to make God’s call and His choice of you a permanent experience; if you do so, you will never abandon your faith. In this way you will be given full right to enter the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)

Jesus went on to say, “The Kingdom of God is like this.  A man scatters seed in his field. He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing.  Yet he does not know how it happens.  The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit, first the tender stalk appears, then the ear, and finally the ear full of corn.  When the corn is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)

In this parable Lord Jesus said the seed is the Kingdom of God that resembles the Blessed Trinity and where there is His righteousness, one can enjoy the presence of Kingdom of God.  In His presence He announced the Kingdom of God is among us.  After the incarnation of Lord Jesus, people were enlightened with more heavenly knowledge of true God and the work of His Power. 

Though He was teaching and explaining how the Kingdom of God spreads and produces fruit, it is gift from God.  Man cannot grow a plant or produce fruit in a tree, all that he can do is only prepare the soil and spread the seeds, providing water and manure as per requirement.  The seed naturally sprouts and become a plant. 

Similarly a preacher or teacher can only give the Word of God.  The giver is not the one who produces fruit in the listener.  The Bible explains the power of the Word of God in St. Paul’s letter to Hebrews.  To make it clear Jesus pointed out in parables saying the sower sleeps at night and is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. 

Similarly, it is not the skill or talent of a man’s work but it is the Word of God which is alive and active.  When we read or hear the Word of God, the Lord is working and He proves that the Word of God is truly alive and active by performing healings and granting repentance, peace, unity and transformation in the lives of the listeners.  Here the sower waits patiently for the seed to sprout and produce fruit.

God clearly proves that “No farmer goes on constantly ploughing his fields and getting them ready for sowing.” 

Similarly Lord Jesus said “The Word of God which you heard or spoke will definitely produce the fruit of the Kingdom of God.”  “It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up very early and going to bed late.  For the Lord provides for those He loves while they are asleep.”

So seek refuge in the Lord after you complete your responsibilities.

The preachers and givers must be ready to accept that if the listeners produce fruit it is the work of the right hand of God.  God attracts them through Jesus Christ – “If God wills, only then a farmer can reap the harvest.”  This should not misconstrued that a God’s servant should be lazy and give up hard work as how God does His part, His servant too has his share in preparing the field and sowing the Word of God. 

In short, God is the provider of all circumstances to grow freely.   It is our duty to give the Word of God to others.  Each one is called for His discipleship. That is the purpose and plan of God.

By this parable Lord Jesus tells us the like the farmer who waits patiently after sowing the seeds in the fields, we should also do our duty of giving the Word of God to others and wait patiently.  Do not be worried or tensed thinking about the fruit of your work rather just as God makes the seeds to sprout and grow to bear fruits, likewise it is the Word of God that will move the heart of the listeners and transform them.  

Just as after the plant has grown full the man collects the harvest, so also when the Word of God is sown throughout the world at the appropriate time God will send His angels to gather the harvest. 

So dear devotees of Christ, be joyful that you have been called to be a part in the Lord’s work and do not be worried thinking about the outcome of your work, rather diligently and sincerely do your duty and leave the rest to God, He will surely bless your work according to your efforts and as per His Divine plan.

A PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching us in a simple method to grasp deeply the secrets of the Kingdom of God. Awaken me to complete my duties on time and like a farmer, patiently await the fruits. Since the Kingdom of God is life in Holy Spirit so make me worthy to receive your Holy Spirit granting a love filled and righteous life to me and all. Amen!

                                                                                     

Act for the day

Let us offer today’s Holy Rosary to courageously resist  the seductions of the world, evil companions and bad habits, so that every evil will be replaced with love and goodness.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ.

 Kindly Note:

As per the message from God of KLWC, our team will be conducting an in-house fasting prayer service from the 3^rd Oct 2015 to 4^th Oct 2015.  Your Thanksgivings and Prayer Requests are welcome.

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

CHAPTER 8

IN PRAISE OF WISDOM

Listen! Wisdom is calling out.

Reason is making herself heard.

On the hilltops near the road

and at the cross-roads she stands.

At the entrance to the city,

beside the gates, she calls:

“I appeal to you, mankind;

I call to everyone on earth.

Are you immature? Learn to be mature.

Are you foolish? Learn to have sense.

Listen to my excellent words;

all I tell you is right.

What I say is the truth;

lies are hateful to me.

Everything I say is true;

nothing is false or misleading.

To the man with insight, it is all clear;

to the well-informed, it is all plain.

Choose my instructions instead of silver;

choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.

“I am Wisdom, I am better than jewels;

nothing you want can compare with me.

I am Wisdom, and I have insight;

I have knowledge and sound judgment.

To honor the Lord is to hate evil;.

I hate pride and arrogance,

evil ways and false words.

I make plans and carry them out.

I have understanding, and I am strong.

I help kings to govern and rulers to make good laws.

Every ruler on earth governs with my help,

statesmen and noblemen alike.

I love those who love me;

Whoever looks for me can find me.

I have riches and honor to give,

prosperity and success.

What you get from me is better than the finest gold,

better than the purest silver.

I walk the way of righteousness;

I follow the paths of justice,

giving wealth to those who love me,

filling their houses with treasures.

The Lord created me first of all,

the first of his works, long ago.

I was made in the very beginning,

at the first, before the world began.

I was born before the oceans,

when there were no springs of water.

I was born before the mountains,

before the hills were set in place,

before God made the earth and its fields

or even the first handful of soil.

I was there when He set the sky in place,

when He stretched the horizon across the ocean,

when He placed the clouds in the sky,

when He opened the springs of the ocean

and ordered the waters of the sea

to rise no further than He said.

I was there when He laid the earth’s foundations.

I was beside Him like an architect,

I was His daily source of joy,

always happy in His presence –

happy with the world

and pleased with the human race.

“Now, young men, listen to me.

Do as I say, and you will be happy.

Listen to what you are taught.

Be wise; do not neglect it.

The man who listens to me will be happy -

the man who stays at my door everyday,

waiting at the entrance to my home.

The man who finds me finds life,

and the Lord will be pleased with him.

The man who does not find me, hurts himself;

anyone who hates me loves death.”

ACT FOR THE DAY

God of Mercy, in the name of Lord Jesus we offer you this day’s Holy Rosary through the intercession of Blessed Mother for the remission of our sins and the sins of our ancestors which forbid us to enjoy healthy and prosperous bliss filled gift of our life. Amen.

The Lord says, “Fear Not, I will save you.”

With Love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

Kindly Note:

As per the message from God of KLWC, our team will be conducting an in-house 24 hours fasting prayer service from the 3^rd Oct 2015 to 4^th Oct 2015.  Your Thanksgivings and Prayer Requests are welcome.

MOTHER MARY

QUEEN OF THE ROSARY

“How can we forget our Blessed Mother who loves us so much and fills us with Her grace”

God manifests His love through various means in order to help us to realize that He continues to dwell with us until the end of time.  This realization of God as our Abba Father who cares for us at all times is the stipulation for one’s surrender to God’s Eternal Will.  In His teaching Lord Jesus has made this point very clear whenever He spoke about Father’s love and our relationship with Him.  By submitting ourselves to the Divine Will we can become holy and experience His abiding love. 

Like Jesus Christ, His Mother, Mary always stood for the Will of God.  She is the Mother who gives birth to the Holy Hope in our hearts-- not the hope of vain that transmits the good of this life, but also of the immense and eternal virtues of heaven.

St. Bernard interpreting Her words, adds, “All generations shall call You blessed because You have given life and glory to all nations for it is in You that sinners find pardon and just perseverance in the grace of God.”

In the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, we read that God created two great lights – a greater light to rule the day and a lesser light to rule the night.  (Gen 1:16). 

Some spiritual writers have suggested that Christ symbolizes the light of the world who rules in just; the moon the lesser light resembles Mary who enlightens those living in the darkness of sin. 

So Holy Mary is the auspicious luminary for the benefit of poor sinners.  Whoever is in the night of sin let him cast his eyes on the moon and let him implore Mother Mary.  As a mother, She understands the needs of her children and intercedes with God for our spiritual and temporal benefits.  It is not enough that we depend on Her when we need Her assistance, but we also have to imitate Her exemplary life as She lived a life of love, generosity and contentment.  Let us also try to live for others. 

During the month of October it is a custom among believers to venerate the Blessed Virgin by making a spiritual garland and presenting it to Her by praying the Rosary.

With Loved Filled Blessings, 
Your Sister in Christ 

An act for the day:

Jesus taught Martha when she was reluctant over His command of rolling the stone away that covered Lazarus’ tomb, saying to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the Glory of God?” (John 11:38-40)

Through this total SURRENDER and BELIEF, everyone witnessed a miracle that revealed His Glory, at that moment of a family crisis.

Let us today offer a HOLY ROSARY in total surrender and belief for the peace and unity among our families! 

Kindly Note:

As per the message from God of KLWC, our team will be conducting an in-house 24 hours fasting prayer service from the 3^rd Oct 2015 to 4^th Oct 2015.  Your Thanksgivings and Prayer Requests are welcome.