A Magnificent way to start the year!

My Soul exults in the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…
For the Mighty One has done great things for me, And holy is his name

Mary’s magnificat (Lk 1:46-49) gives us a wonderful disposition with which to start the New Year. An attitude of praise and gratitude. And a true and deep understanding of our identity and purpose ‘in Christ’.

“First of all, I have no hesitation in saying that all pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness.” The words of our earlier Holy Father at the start of the New Millennium continue to ring true as we commence our New Year. Pope John Paul II stresses “the call to holiness” as “an intrinsic and essential aspect”. He continues in his Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thes 4:3). It is a duty which concerns not only certain Christians: All the Christian faithful, of whatever state or rank, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48). This ideal of perfection must not be misunderstood as if it involved some kind of extraordinary existence, possible only for a few “uncommon heroes” of holiness. The ways of holiness are many, according to the vocation of each individual. The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living.” (NMI #30,31)

It is towards this end that our intercession this month focuses on praying with renewed fervour for our sanctification. And not only for ourselves, but also that of our communities, our land and our Church. Let us, as intercessors, humbly and boldly take our place, lest the Lord say, “And I sought for anyone among them who would … stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ez. 22:30)

We also wish to take this opportunity to sincerely appreciate each one of you and your continued zeal for intercession. Month-on-month we are edified by your enthusiasm and the feedback we get. Many are going through ‘the valley’ but the grace of God continues to ‘lift our heads’ (Ps 3:3). As we ‘labour’ in prayer for our Church – this month with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Catholic Apologetics Programs – we know that our ‘labour is not in vain’ (1 Cor 15:58).

Pope John Paul II continues, “This training in holiness calls for a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of prayer.” (NMI#32) “Our Christian communities must become genuine “schools” of prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening and ardent devotion, until the heart truly “falls in love”.

How grateful we are to the Holy Spirit, our sanctifier, who has inspired the Church to begin every New Year honouring Mary–the Mother of God. A model of holiness and prayer. May her blessings and prayers be with us throughout this year as we ‘press on’ (Phil 3:12) to ‘sanctify ourselves’ confident that ‘tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among’ us (Joshua 3:5). Let us boldly say “I know not what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future.” Wish you a Holy New Year ahead.

A poem by American ex-Judge Roy Moore

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama. Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has since been stripped of his judgeship. We leave you to open your mind & let God’s Spirit speak to you & convict you through his poem:

America, the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims’ pride;
I’m glad they’ll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God’s love
and a need to always pray

We’ve kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We’ve voted in a government
that’s rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God’s not
angry, that our land’s a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He’ll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don’t - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee..

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

Call On the Lord for Help

“Whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved”(Acts 2: 21).

This is the promise of a loving God. God who loves us with everlasting love will come to our rescue in all circumstances of life.

He will free us from sickness: Once one of my fingers was injured and swollen. I thought that after sometime it will become alright, but at night I felt unbearable pain. I thought I should go to a hospital. Then I had an urge to call on God. When I prayed to Jesus the pain decreased. The Son of God cured me. Even though it was a minor incident it was God’s intervention in my life to strengthen my faith.

A girl who was working in Saudi Arabia was infected with Hepatitis C. Even after proper treatment three tests showed no sign of it being cured. If the fourth and final test proved to be positive she would lose her job there. Before going for the fourth test she cried and prayed to Jesus. The test showed that she was cured.

Another Malayali girl who was working in Italy fell seriously ill and she was about to be brought back to India. Her spiritual director told her to repent and confess her sins and to forgive those who have offended her. “Oh! Jesus, if you cure me I will speak about you to others”, she prayed and promised. When the next test was done it was found that she was fully healed. Anyone who calls on Jesus will not be put to shame; they will see the glory of God.

He will keep them away from occasions of sin: A certain businessman in Mumbai was in the habit of drinking. But later on when he came into prayer groups, he gave up drinks. A few years ago he had to come to Delhi on some business. He was staying with some friends who urged him to join them in their drinking session. Holding the glass of alcohol he called on Jesus and prayed. Seeing that his friends no longer forced him to drink. In any dangerous situation or sinful occasion, call on the Lord for help and He will surely save you.

He will save them from death: Mr. Zacharias who lived in Faridabad had a grievous heart problem. The doctors declared that he would die soon. We comforted him saying that he won’t die but live for a long time still. We interceded for him to God. I am glad to say that God gave him back his health and he is active today. Through intercessory prayers Jesus saves people from dangers of death.

He will send His angels to save them: If we trust in Jesus God will send His angels to save us. When Paul and Silas were in prison they prayed to Jesus. Their chains fell loose, the doors were opened and they were set free (Acts 16: 27). Jesus says: If you stand by me I will save you; I will rescue you from all kinds of bondages; I will free you from your sinful habits; I will send my angels to save you from the power of illegal authorities.

Believe in the Lord, keep awake His sake! Work for Him and God will protect us.