JESUS IS ANOINTED AT BETHANY

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man He had raised from death.  They prepared a dinner for Him there, which Martha helped to serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus.  Then Mary took half a litre of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.  The sweet smell of the perfume filled the whole house.  One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot –the one who was going to betray Him –said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?”  He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief.  He carried the money bag and would help himself from it.

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone!  Let her keep what she has for the day of My burial.  You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have Me.”

THE PLOT AGAINST LAZARUS

A large number of people heard that Jesus was in Bethany, so they went there, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from death.  So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too, because on his account many Jews were rejecting them and believing in Jesus.

(John 12 : 1 – 11)

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

GOD OF LIGHT

The Holy Bible says, “You Lord, are my light. You dispel my darkness (2 Samuel.22:2)

PART TWO

Continued from the earlier part

A follower or devotee of Christ enlightens others by his good works; leading them out from the deepest valley of darkness by a tiny drop of light. Take for instance a ray of light passing through a small hole in a dark room; it highlights the dust particles in the atmosphere. Similarly, the rays of God’s radiant light can discern even the minute defect of our lives. Those who practice sorcery or other dark activities will surely find it hard to accept God’s light as they are enslaved to their darkened master.  When you are constantly in God’s presence reading and memorizing the Holy Word of God, praying, praising and acknowledging His Promises; His power overwhelms you and His Light tends to brighten your day ; making you refreshed. Continuously confess: Jesus, my Lord and Light of my life; this will assist you in chasing the unknown sorrows, fear, anxiety, confusions, anger etc. Allow God’s Light to penetrate through the darkness of every nook and corner of your life and you will witness Sovereign God’s victory over it. Absolutely nothing can overpower the Heavenly Light of our Lord and His grace can walk you through and lead if you truly believe and make an effort for it. The Holy Bible says, “Wake up sleeper and arise from death, Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14) This is the only Light that can bring out in you a rich harvest filled with every kind of goodness, righteous and truth. So let us live in hope like people belonging to the light and bring others too out to share in it.

John the Baptist knew that Jesus Christ was the divine light sent by God and so he announced it to the people and his disciples. When Andrew met Lord Jesus he went and told his brother Simon Peter about Him; it was then that Peter went on to meet Lord. Like Andrew, if you can be the lamp that leads others to the Lord; they too will reap bountiful harvest like Peter who was given incharge of the Lord’s sheep i.e God built the church upon him. Converse to someone good about Lord Jesus; encourage and help others by sharing your knowledge about Him. A good work in His name can perform wonders in the coming days. In the entire history of mankind, it is only our Lord Jesus who descended from the heavens to the dark earth to invite sinners to His Light. He said, “I have not come to call respectable people but outcasts.” (Matthew 9:13) He comforts us, “Come to Me all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He touched and healed the leper (Matthew 8:14);He touched and healed the blind; He allowed the lady who came with great faith to touch His cloak and be cured; He accepted the unholy public making them holy with His presence. He mingled with the rejected and the outcasts; relished a meal with the sinners. He made His Everlasting Light to shine and burn upon them. He sought after the lost in the darkness and on finding, carried them on His shoulders to the Heavenly Father. Wiping out the tears from everyone who approached Him; He comforted those who sought refuge in Him. Look and call out to Him; He is in you and near you. You can hold Him with faith and just a touch gain deliverance. He is the only Lord and your way to Salvation. To comfort the anguish of Martha and Mary; His Life-giving Light delved deep down to the tomb of their only brother; the warmth of His light imparting warmness to Lazarus cold body and granting breathe to his lifelessness. 

So dear ones, if you are in any of the above state or even worse than all the above instances do not lose heart! Taste and see His Divine Power, the Holy Spirit in the form of light and fire. As we begin the solemn observance for the season of Lent that invites us, the believers to forty days of fasting, prayer and alms-giving.

Spend time with God as much as possible in reading the Holy Bible, reciting novenas and Rosary to invoke more spiritual assistance to give up adamant habits that has chained you over the years. Rather than the regular meal skipping practice; we suggest that you follow simplicity in your grooming; refrain from talkativeness and take time for self-assessment ; practice calmness; chase egotism. Resolve to alms-giving when the urge for self indulgence arises and have a grip over mortal luxury memorizing that you are soil and will perish into it.

God is faithful in His promises and will fulfill it in His own time; If you are persistent in your spiritual journey, I assure, you will be made worthy to receive the promises before His time. Experience and keep it on a lamp stand to welcome others. So let us resolve to be a pillar of cloud and fire for the entire world! 

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

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.