October 2010

(We apologise for publishing our intercessions late this month - I have pre-dated it here while loading so it shows 1st October as the date of posting. I really hope you pray all the intentions of the days missed as well! Remember God is never in our debt - when you pray for others, He will repay you abundantly!)

Daily Intercessions through the Word of God – April 2010

Sanctuary Intercessors – India Branch of FBB
International Catholic Charismatic Missionary Intercessors of the Fellowship of the Burning Bush (FBB)
The ‘Intercession Diary’ has the approval and blessings of the Bishops’ Team of the Archdiocese and contains intentions of our Cardinal and the Bishops

(Join us in agreement to intercede each day according to the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit how to pray to actualize God’s promises in each situation)

Day/Date Interceding According to the Mind of Christ
Fri
1/10/2010 1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor, Patroness of the Missions. Saint Therese of the Child Jesus preferred the anonymity of the cloister. She never went on ‘missions’, never founded a religious order, never performed ‘great works’. In the brief 24 years that she lived on this earth, her graces touched the lives of so many. She was devoted to simplicity and the accomplishment of small dutie, in the service of God. In this month dedicated to the Missions, we ask God to give us the grace to offer all the things we do during the course of the day, however small and insignificant they may be, for the salvation of the world and the strengthening of His Church. This month we focus our prayers for missionary work, with a specific emphasis on the Americas. We also focus on praying the Rosary, that it may once again be a time of prayer to bring the whole family together. Let us also pray specially for missionary work in our nation

Sat
2/10/2010 Ps 91:11 For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways
Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life’ (CCC 336). Let us constantly ask for their protection against all the wiles of the enemy and pray – Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen

Sun
3/10/2010 Matt 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell
We lift up areas in our country, especially Karnataka, where violence against Christians is on the rise; may God restrain the designs of the evil forces operating there so that His people may be able to live in peace and that the Gospel reaches all peoples. Pray for persecutors also

Mon
4/10/2010 Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well
As the church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Founder of the Franciscans - we pray through his intercession that the youth in the Americas may have an experience, like him, of renouncing worldly values to follow Christ. We also pray very specially for youth animators in parishes all over the Americas that they would be role models, another Christ for the youth to imitate. For this XLIII World Day of Peace, Pope Benedict VI has chosen the theme: If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. As St. Francis is also the Patron Saint of Ecology and the Environment, we pray for our city and world suffering from pollution and global warming

Tue
5/10/2010 John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly
Today is pro-life Day; say this prayer for United States of America which is in the clutches of a culture of death, that God would reverse this anti-life attitude - Father, we beg Your blessing for the Right to Life, the Unborn, the weak, the sick and the old; all who are finding themselves being targets of the vicious culture of death; that our Lord Jesus bless and protect all who stand up for the Christian dignity of persons. Enlighten those who are traveling down death’s highway by their involvement, in any way, with either the contemporary death culture, selfism, relativism, or any of the new age errors of our times. Help America to turn from the sin of abortion and return to Christ, and once again become a Christian nation, on the narrow road, that is, the path to becoming a nation and culture under God. Amen

Wed
6/10/2010 Matt 9:32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven
We pray for Christian missionaries working in very hostile, trying and difficult situations all over the world; may they see the fruit of their labour and in times of loneness and despair; may the comforter the Holy Spirit, strengthen and console them to press on and not give up for Christ’s sake. We also seek God’s Hand of favour and protection on each one of them as they labour to bring people into God’s kingdom

Thu
7/10/2010 Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary - In 1571 Pope Pius V instituted ‘Our Lady of Victory’ an annual feast to commemorate the victory of Lepanto, for the success of the mission of the Holy League to hold back Muslim forces from overrunning Western Europe. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of this feast day to ‘Feast of the Holy Rosary’ - through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may the Lord block every attack of the enemy against the Church and her people in the Americas. Pray the Rosary today for the Pope’s intentions

Fri
8/10/2010 2 Chro 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land
We fast today for the Americas as we begin a nine day novena tomorrow, that the Gospel which was brought to these lands amidst much hardship, sacrifice and sufferings by the early missionaries, may through their intercession continue to bear much fruit in our times and that out of every evil influence and culture that prevails there, God would raise up many God fearing men and women to once again bring back the Gospel. Each day of this Novena the following should be prayed - the Invocation for that day, the Refrain and an Our Father, 3 Hail Marys and a Glory be. Refrain: O Lady of Guadalupe, pray for the Church in America for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Sat
9/10/2010 1 Pet 1:16 Since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy
Invocation Day 1: Mary, Mother of Jesus, hear the prayer for the Church in N. America – Canada, USA and Mexico, a people rich in promise, a people much in need of God’s mercy and grace. As you brought forth Jesus to the world, draw them to Christ. We pray for holy priests who would use the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit for building the kingdom and that their lives would reflect lasting fruit

Sun
10/10/2010 Exod 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy
Invocation Day 2: Mary, Mother of America, hear the many voices of their land pleading for the mercy of your Son, seeking the shepherd’s voice to lead them on the right path. Hear the praise of your sons and daughters and bid your Son to free them from the scourges of sinful addiction – drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, pornography, materialism, hedonism, homosexuality, gambling, occult, rock culture, selfishness, want etc. Pray that the Lord would raise up spirit filled workers in His vineyard to spread the Gospel of hope

Mon
11/10/2010 Isa 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land
Invocation Day 3: Mary, Mother of Compassion, hear the prayer of those most in need of God’s mercy. Hear the little child whose belly hungers, the old man with no one to love, the mother tempted to abandon/abort her child. Pray for them to the author of life, that the Fruit of your womb may save and protect them. Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to dispel those lands from the culture of death

Tue
12/10/2010 Ezek 36:25-26 I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you
Invocation Day 4: Mary, Mother of Conversion, pray to your Son for the virtue of hope among youth, that He frees them from doubt and gives them the courage to be children of God. Pray that the light of the world may dispel the darkness of fear, remaking their stony hearts in the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus your Son. Pray for a renewal of faith to sweep over the Church, especially bishops and priests

Wed
13/10/2010 Ps 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord
Invocation Day 5: Mary, Mother of all Saints, pray for your children in America. Pray for those who seek to imitate your example in humble service to the Gospel of Life and the poorest of the poor. Pray that your Son may lead them from the darkness of sin to the light of His eternal glory. Pray also for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and for discernment for the youth to have the mind of Christ

Thu
14/10/2010 John 17:21 That they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me
Invocation Day 6: Mary, Mother of Unity, intercede for the Church in America, that the many Christian denominations may be gathered together to form the one people of the New Covenant. Pray for humility among Christian leaders not to seek their own will and glory but strive for the greater glory of God. Mother of the human race, ask your Son to pour out upon them a spirit of compassion and solidarity

Fri
15/10/2010 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God
Invocation Day 7: Mary, Mother of the Church, help the Church in these lands to follow your example of sublime love and profound humility. With you, may they be obedient to the commandment of love, and give themselves whole heartedly to seeking the glory of Christ and serving the needs of their brethren. Pray for a spirit of self sacrifice, penance and prayer for every Christian in America

Sat
16/10/2010 John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth
Invocation Day 8: Mary, Mother of all Christians, hear the prayers of all who worship the Name of your Son, Jesus, their hope and salvation. Through your intercession, may the Church enjoy unbroken peace and may politicians never detract from the founding fathers of this nation who prepared the constitution keeping the Word of God as its foundation. Protect her from the powers of darkness and deceit

Sun
17/10/2010 1 Tim 4:2 Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching
Mission Sunday- Reminds us of our call to evangelize in word and by our lives. Let us be exhorted by the words of Pope Paul VI: “To evangelize, is the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her profound identity” (Evangelium nuntiandi, no. 14). The Holy Spirit is the chief agent of evangelization…. Lord pour your Spirit afresh on each one of us

Mon
18/10/2010 Lam 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end
Day 9: God of power and mercy, you blessed the Americas with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. By her prayers enable all people in the Church to accept each other as brothers and sisters. Instill justice in their hearts that your peace may reign in the world. We pray for the policies of the governments in America especially USA, that they will use their power and position to facilitate peace and truth

Tue
19/10/2010 Jer 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you.. pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare
Keep this day as a day of thanksgiving - giving thanks to the Lord for our city, the government, the municipal corporation and the bureaucrats that govern our city, all the amenities we enjoy, the many schools and colleges that offer our children education to build their future, for the many job opportunities and for the freedom to preach the Gospel. Pray the Rosary today for protection of Mumbai from evil

Wed
20/10/2010 1 Tim 2: 1-2 I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority
Pray for political/civic leaders that God would give them grace to be transparent in all their undertakings for the common good of all peoples. We also pray for the religious leaders of various communities in India that they may be filled with humility and fraternal love

Thu
21/10/2010 Phil 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves
We pray for the authorities in our city that they truly serve the ‘whole’ city – especially the poor and the marginalized. We also pray for the migrants and homeless in our city who are preyed upon and exploited, especially children and women. May the Holy Spirit be with those who are serving the marginalized, especially the Christian institutions, that they may truly reflect Jesus Christ in all that they say and do

Fri
22/10/2010 Luke 12:21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God
We lift up every industrialist in our city who has benefited from its cosmopolitan nature; may God bless them with wisdom and grace not to just amass wealth, but to be ready to share with those who serve them and for the common good of the city and country

Sat
23/10/2010 Ps 129:5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backwards
We pray today for protection against terrorist and their agents whose aim is to cause mayhem and disturb communal harmony in our city. We also pray for those who are brokering peace in the Middle East, that the Lord who walked those lands may draw all men in harmony

Sun
24/10/2010 Rev 5:9b Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God
Today through the Eucharist we pray for mercy, that the ‘Blood of the Lamb’ wash away every sin and evil that our city is associated with. We pray for the homeless, the destitute, the many faceless millions who migrate into our city, that they experience the love of Christ

Mon
25/10/2010 Sir 38:1 Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him
We pray for our catholic doctors and lawyers practicing in our city; may they be examples of honesty and integrity for others to follow. We pray for Christian schools/colleges that the young people studying there may experience the light of the Gospel and find meaning in life

Tue
26/10/2010 1 Tim 6:10a For the love of money is the root of all evils
Lift up to our God the builders’ lobby and the corruption between them and the corporators/officials as regards flaunting of FSI, the proposed plans for the SEZs, the underworld tactics to intimidate tenants/land owners, using unscrupulous means of securing public land, etc. We pray for those Christians looking for appropriate housing that Jehovah Jireh will supply their need. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wed
27/10/2010 Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
Keep the 2nd Apologetics Convection scheduled in January 2011 in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit will guide every plan and decision

Thu
28/10/2010 Pro 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your paths
Feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude - Pray for all hopeless cases through the intercession of St. Jude

Fri
29/10/2010 Luke 2:37 And as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day
A day of fast for the Night Vigil tomorrow at St. Andrew’s College Chapel; focus of intercession - praying for unity according to Psalm 133:3. Pray also that the Lord will bless, protect and anoint all those serving, attending and those leading

Sat
30/10/2010 Dan 9:3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes
We continue to lift up the Inner Healing Ministry that they are protected and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We also lift up ‘Joyful Noise’, a ministry focused on making young people aware about their music choices

Sun
31/10/2010 Luke 2:32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel
We end this month of prayer for the Americas and our city that we Christians may truly live Spirit filled lives, and that each parish focuses on spreading the Gospel; enabling the Church to truly be a beacon of hope for the city

Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month (Pray for these intentions daily)
General Intention: That Catholic Universities may increasingly become places where, in light of the gospel, people may experience the unity of faith and reason. Missionary Intention: That World Mission Day may help Christians realize that the task of proclaiming Christ is a necessary service to which the Church is called for the benefit of humanity.

—
Vetted by Fr Byron Mendonca, Assistant Parish Priest, Mt Carmel Church, Mumbai, India.
All scripture passages are taken from Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
We suggest you print out this page & keep it in your Bible.
Please contact Royston@Glorify-God.com for any feedback.

Remembering the Wonders

The Psalmist says, “Remember the wonders the Lord has done”. (Ps 105:5). Often we relate to this line as prompting us towards an ‘attitude of gratitude’, towards making us a thanksgiving people. And that is surely the case. But the Holy Spirit who guides the psalmist often has many layers of messages for His people. And in this letter the one we will focus on is the message of HOPE.

The past should encourage us to Hope; despite the present and even despite ourselves. What God has done for us should constantly spur us on from ‘one level of glory to the next’. And among the ‘wonders the Lord has done’, surely the greatest is His Saving Work on the Cross. The wood of the cross, the merciful raft that floats over the wrath of God, typified in the Ark that saved Noah and his household and creation. How desperate should we be to pull others onto the raft/ship?; especially those drowning in the cares of the world trying to battle with sin and the rigours of daily life in their own strength.

The love of Christ compels (constrains/impels) us (2 Cor 5:14). We cannot sit back and be content with our ‘own’ ‘personal’ salvation. The love of Christ needs to quicken our steps, direct our minds, control our actions to ‘bring the Good News’. (Rom 10:15)

This September as we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Lady, whose openness to the grace of the Holy Spirit and whose ‘Yes’ brought the Good News to us ‘in flesh’ (in caro/in carnis), may we too play our role in the incarnation of the Word in our times and in our land. As we prepare for the Proclamation Outreach during the Octave of the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, may prayer be the foundation, back-bone and bulwark of the entire effort. May the Lord who alone builds the house (Ps 127:1), provide the right builders and material to ensure the labour is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58) and bears ‘abundant fruit’ (Jn 15:5).

I recall with amazement how the Lord prepared the way over 2 years ago when Mount Mary’s Basilica premises was offered for the Proclamation effort.

I recall with amazement how so many persevered in prayer, including the members of the Sanctuary Intercessors of the FBB who organised Prayer Outreaches and would climb up the Mount praying along the way year after year, much like the servant who Elijah sent up the mountain repeatedly (and in faith) till finally he saw the cloud approaching. And what a mighty (latter) rain fell! (1 Kings 18).

I recall with amazement how two years ago we at the St Theresa’s Prayer Group sensed the need to fast and pray and prepare ourselves for evangelisation at the Mount, with no clarity on how we would go about it - where would we situate ourselves, what material we would use, etc. And then a week before the Octave we got a call from the Proclamation Cell saying that they had a room, material and infrastructure but needed ‘fisher folk’. How wonderful indeed are the Lord’s ways.

May the wonders the Lord has done spur us on in Hope. May Mary our Blessed Mother be with us along the way that leads to Jesus - the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Independence Day Special!

Happy Freedom!

What a strange greeting this may sound to most. We are used to be wished many things, but ‘Happy Freedom’ may clearly not be one of them. Well, today and this month of India’s independence, and for ever, I wish you (and myself) this.

“For freedom, Christ has set us free” (Gal 5:1). What a curious line. But in it, I believe, is hidden the mystery of God’s love, human suffering, human destiny, the incarnation of the second person of the Most Holy Trinity and much else. How easy it would be for the Great Creator to make us mere puppets or robots. So that we could be ‘programmed’ to “know Him, to love Him and to serve Him”. But there in lies the foolishness (1 Cor 1:25) and the wisdom of God.

“God willed that man should be left in the hand of his own counsel (Sirach 15:14), so that he might of his own accord seek his creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him” (Gaudium et Spes 17 § 1; CCC# 1730 and 1743).

This month, as we remember, with gratitude to the Lord, and celebrate our nation’s freedom, we bring to mind our own freedom, won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our intercession this month, thus focuses on raising our hearts and minds to God, that He may safeguard us in His Word which “will set us free” (John 8:32).

We pray for freedom in our relationship with God, others and self. For too long we are held in bondage by our sins, our past, fears, by the evil in and around us. We pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit in whose presence “there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

This month, as we celebrate Vianney Sunday, we pray for our priests and, in a special way, we fast and pray for our Bishops in our Archdiocese of Bombay. We pray that our priests constantly be assured and empowered by the Holy Spirit that “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” (Psalm 110:4). May our priests constantly reflect upon the indelible character of the sacrament of Holy Orders (CCC#1582). We pray that the ‘ministerial priesthood’ truly be at the service of the people (‘baptismal priesthood’) through “the grace of the Holy Spirit proper to this sacrament (which) is configuration to Christ as Priest, Teacher, and Pastor”. (CCC 1585)

May our Blessed Mother, whose Assumption into Heaven we celebrate this month, pray for us her children, that we may be transformed (and ‘transfigured’) into ‘other Christs’. We make the opening prayer of the Roman Missal, 32nd Sunday, our own,
Almighty and merciful God,
in your goodness take away from us all that is harmful,
so that, made ready both in mind and body,
we may freely accomplish your will.

Evangelizing the World

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you (2 Corinthians 13:13).

As I sit to write this letter to you, the catchy tune of “Waka Waka (Do it)” and the rhythmic moves of Shakira waft through the TV screen just before the match between Germany and Ghana commences. But what catches my attention more that the music is the title “This time for Africa”. However, while the attention of a football-crazy world is indeed Africa, our hymn of praise and intercession is “this time for Europe”.

This month we focus our prayers for the continent of Europe. We cry out to the Lord for the people of Europe and the Church in Europe; confident that, as we raise our voices and cry to the Lord, He will hear us (Psalm 34:7).

Thus, this July, we are praying for Europe; that the rivers of the Lord’s mercy will sweep over this land, which was evangelised in Apostolic times. “Today, after twenty centuries, the Church senses the urgency and the duty to carry on with renewed efficacy the work of evangelizing the world and re-evangelizing Europe. Today more than ever, the evangelization of the world is tied to the re-evangelization of Europe.” The words of our late Holy Father Pope John Paul II cannot be truer and more urgent.

Europe, once the wellspring of missionary zeal and deep spiritual discipline – which we all have in some way benefitted from, today finds itself plunged in sin, love of self and the things of the world - hedonism, materialism, paganism and every kind of sexual perversion viz. fornication, adultery, live-in relationships, legalization of same sex unions, prostitution, abortion, contraception, etc.

The Roman Empire, the cradle of Christianity, like Europe, collapsed not because of Christianity, as some said, but, as St Augustine argued, because the Christian virtues and values were not lived up to. “It is not that Christianity has been tried and been found wanting, but it has been found too difficult and not tried,”as Chesterton noted.

But what gives us hope is that there are striking parallels between the Roman Empire which Christianity encountered at its outset and today’s world. When St Paul went to Athens “his heart was deeply distressed to find the city so much given over to idolatry…“(Acts 17:16) Immorality was everywhere. Yet, he persevered with hope in the Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit. And within two and a half centuries the Empire was Christian, recognizing the one true God and renouncing the immoral laws and practices.

So let us call to the Lord with confidence. As we pray for Europe, we also pray for ourselves in the Church and the city of Mumbai. That God will deliver his people from their distress (Psalm 34:7) and “restore what the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25). That the Church and the people of Europe, and Mumbai, will once again be a “light to the nations and glory of His people” (Luke 2:32). May we be constantly assured of the intercession of the saints and especially of our Blessed Mother, who appeared at times of great need (Lourdes, Fatima, etc.) to encourage and direct her children.

Celebrate Jesus’ love!

What marvels the Lord works for us, indeed we are glad (Ps 126:3).

I write, filled with gratitude at the grace of the Lord for all His many blessings – the more recent of which was an incredible spiritual experience at Lourdes, literally ‘out of the blue’. Miracle after incredible miracle lined-up making a ‘free’ weekend during a business trip turn into one of the most profound experiences of God’s love and provision. Truly we have a great, big, wonderful God (with a great big wonderfully large heart!!!).

And it is this heart that we venerate this month of June as we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a celebration and worship of the heart of God which ‘so loved the world’ (John 3:16) ‘while we were yet sinners’ (Romans 5:8). This month we focus our reflection on the ‘heart’ of Christ and the Christian heart – each scripture verse we reflect on each day this month contains the word ‘heart’ to show how precious we are to the heart of God and how much He desires to dwell in our hearts.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13). Even to the extent of the horrifying death on the cross, to purchase for us our salvation. Tetelestai. In Greek meaning “paid in full”. This Greek word occurs in John 19:30 where it is commonly translated “It is finished.”

This heart that overflowed with love – to the extent of Him breaking His body and shedding His last drop of blood. To pay the ultimate price. For us and for our salvation (Nicene Creed). This very body and blood we celebrate and commemorate at every Eucharist and in a special way this month on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Truly the Lord desires to nourish and equip us with Himself. As the beautiful prayer of St Francis of Assisi states;

O sublime humility! O humble sublimity!
That the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself
that for our salvation He hides Himself under the little form of bread!
Look, brothers, at the humility of God and pour out your hearts before Him!
Humble yourselves, as well, that you may be exalted by Him.
Therefore, hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves; so that
He Who gives Himself totally to you, may receive you totally.

As we pray this month, let us daily offer Him our hearts – our constant prayer being “Create in me a new heart O Lord and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). May the Lord, the Holy Spirit, constantly find us open and attentive to his promptings and infilling. That He may blow over our lives, our world and our church. We pray in a special way this month for our priests as we come to the close of the Year for Priests – that they find their refuge and strength in the Sacred Heart of Jesus from which flowed ‘the sacramental life of the Church’ (Preface for the Mass of the Sacred Heart). We also remember in prayer those affected by the air tragedy at Mangalore.

May each one of us and our families find our shelter in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.

The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor 13:13).

How often have we heard this greeting? Possibly the very reason why it fails to stir us as it should.

Can we imagine what we are being wished – the fellowship of the Holy Spirit ! Friends with the Lord and Giver of life ! We know how crucial friendships are – how they can get you broadcasting rights for IPL tournaments and ownership rights in IPL team franchises. We have also seen over the past couple of weeks, not all friendships turn out to be sweet (or is it ‘tweet’)… some ‘sour’ faster than they begin.

But the love that God has for us is an unchanging everlasting love (Jer 31:3). He knew us and chose us… before we were in our mother’s womb (Jer 1:5). That’s true love – love that prompted Him to send His only begotten son (Jn 3:16).

What a privilege to have this love poured into our heart (Rom 5:5). Love poured by Love to recognise Love by responding in Love “Abba Father”. O Perfect Love.

We are in Eastertide after celebrating the Love of God in the Paschal Mystery. As I was reflecting on this, the words of the Psalmist came to mind, “Create in me a new heart O God and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). Two distinct parts of the prayer of the Psalmist. And this is what I felt – we pray so hard during 40 days of Lent for a change of heart …but do we pray / prepare ourselves adequately for the renewal in Spirit… my renewal, renewal in the Church.

The Holy Spirit is the One who prepares the Bride for the Divine Bridegroom. And we know the various challenges the Bride of Christ is facing in our times – not to mention the stepped-up allegations and insinuations, most of which are blatantly unfounded and some of which are sadly true (for which our Holy Father rightly guides a “wounded and sinner Church” into a time of penance, assuring us, ever more, of the consolation of God).

Thus, this month as we prepare for the Feast of Pentecost – the birthday of the Church, we pray in a very special way for the Church. That there may be a new Pentecost and not a conformance to the world (Rom 12:2) but a “renewal in the inner being”… that the Church may be the ‘tree of life’ rooted and grounded in love (Eph 3:17) and bearing abundant fruit (Jn 15:5). We pray that the renewal of the Church begins with me. We propose a 24-hour chain-prayer on Pentecost Sunday to pray for the Church. If you would like to be part of this prayer chain, from wherever you are in the world, please email Rosenell.Dalmeida@ril.com (with time preference, if any) and we will revert to you with a time-slot so that we have an uninterrupted time of praying “in one accord” for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and an outpouring of grace in time of need.

We pray John 15 that we, who make up the Church, may desire to abide in Christ, the True Vine by denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily and following Christ our Master. May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Victors, not victims!

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? … thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”, boldly proclaims Paul (1 Cor 15:54-57) summarizing the Paschal mystery. “Victory in Jesus”. Do our lives reflect this victory?

Christ wants us to be a victorious people - people of the light, a people set apart (1 Pet 2:9). Are we taking our job seriously of being ‘salt’ and ‘light’ (Mt 5:13-16)? Unfortunately most of us are either afraid, apprehensive or filled with apathy when it comes to ‘stepping out in faith’.

This month as we celebrate the Christian’s raison d’être – the death and resurrection of Jesus. – let this not be one more ‘Holy Week’ filled with externals, while our hearts are far away from God (Mt 15:8). Let us make the most of the glory of Eastertide, as we truly desire to be transformed (Rom 12:2) from being insipid and wayward to being ‘salty’ and focussed in our approach, joyfully experiencing ‘Victory in Jesus’.

And so, the focus of our prayer and intercession this month is for the Victorious life in Christ – that we may experience victory in our Church, our families and our lives in the power of the Risen Lord.

Let us pray fervently this month for our Church. Over the past few months, sadly, the European churches seem to have taken up from where the American churches left off – with sex allegations/scandals erupting in Ireland and Germany. While we pray for the Universal Church – that she plays her prophetic role in today’s world - we also pray for the Indian Church, specially our persecuted brethren in Karnataka and Orissa.

We pray this month for Victory in our families. Christian families seem to be stuck in the mire of brokenness, abuse and addiction and property disputes. It may be just my imagination/opinion but Christian families seem to have more problems and court cases against family members than the average non-Christian families. May the rays of the Risen Son warm up the stone-cold hearts in our homes, that truly the Domestic Church will be an oasis of peace – overflowing with life and love into the society at large.

And finally, we pray for ourselves – that we live Victorious lives in the power of the Risen Lord.

May the rays of Divine Mercy that come forth from the Risen Lord sanctify and transform us. May they warm us with the fire of love so that we may no longer remain lukewarm but be on fire and shine brightly for Christ in the world. May Mary, the mother of Mercy cover us with her intercession that we truly live out our calling of being ‘an Easter people, with Halleluiah as our song’ (St Augustine).

Lenten Grace!

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (1 Thes 5:28)

Grace? What is this grace?

We are in the season of Lent, and we call Lent a time of Grace. Let us use this month as a time to meditate on ‘grace’; reflect on how awesome and truly amazing grace is.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that ‘Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us (#1996).’ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself (2 Cor 5:19), by the ‘saving’ cross of Jesus; saving us from the powerful grip of sin and, more importantly, from the dire consequence of sin, i.e. death (Rom 6 : 23).

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

Unfortunately the world today continues to be increasingly blind to sin. As Pope Pius XII said, “The sin of the century is the loss of the sense of sin”. For too long, we have allowed evil to subtly dim our vision and blunt our consciences. But thanks be to God for His sanctifying grace. All we need is to hold on to Him; cling to His Word and the sacramental graces He gives us through the Church.

Through many dangers, toils and snares; I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far; and Grace will lead me home.

Home to the Father. To Abba, who waits for us with arms as outstretched as those of His Only Begotten Son on the Cross. O Holy exchange on the cross – my death in exchange for His life, my sin for His salvation, my shame for His glory. Epitomised in the exchange of Jesus for Barabbas. We (Barabbas stands for each one of us) who were guilty, were set free and He took our place (scapegoat – Leviticus Chapter 16). He took our punishment so we could become Bar-Abba (Son of the Father).

May we never trivialise the price paid for our salvation. The suffering and death of the Son of God. As sufferings came into human life through sin, it was the Father’s plan that humanity be saved from sin through suffering. May we detest sin therefore and desire a renewed and ever deepening relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit.

Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy; Let me not implore in vain;
All my sins, I now detest them, Never will I sin again.

May Mary, our mother, the one “full of grace” (Lk 1:28), who stood at cross, stand by us as we venerate the Saving Cross, and accompany us as we come boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:6)

Let’s believe it: “Mumbai; light to the nations”

Wow! Halleluiah!

That is all I can say as I look (with disbelief at times, so forgive me Lord) and marvel (Ps 118:23) at what God is doing in our midst.

Watching barely half a month of the very first month of this year itself, I am hugely excited at what the Lord has in store for 2010. In my spirit I can see the wonderful way the Lord is putting piece after piece in place as His vast tapestry emerges for this beautiful city of Mumbai.

Truly, with our eyes of faith (2 Cor 5:7), we should see, and rejoice over, the fact that Mumbai is the Lord’s. And this is precisely, and prophetically, what the Archdiocesan Synod had as its Vision “The Church in Mumbai, light to the nations and the glory of God’s Holy People” – Vision Statement, Archdiocese of Bombay, Synod 2000.

In the past few days itself we have seen so many marvellous things taking place. The first-ever Catholic Apologetics Convention, the various ecumenical initiatives across the city during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Silver Jubilee of the SCCs, the inter-faith initiatives, all signs that the Kingdom of God is at hand, in Mumbai. So, let us catch this vision and press on (Phil.3:14) in faith, and in prayer.

Thus, this month we focus our prayer for the Church in the city – we pray fervently for the Archdiocese of Bombay, our shepherds, our priests, our families, our youth, the various programs, movements and associations through which the Spirit is at work in the Church.

We pray especially for our sisters and brothers in Bandra who are preparing for the 75th Anniversary of the Consecration of Bandra to Christ the King.

And as we await, with prayer and hope, the reign of Christ the King not only in Bandra but all over Mumbai; we bring to mind the call to “sanctify ourselves, for tomorrow the Lord WILL do wonders among us.” (Joshua 3:5; emphasis added).

May we thus, sharpen our focus on sanctifying ourselves - as individuals and as a body. We are privileged that we are blessed with the grace-filled season of Lent; let us not lose this time lent to us, but let us treat this time like a ta-lent. For which the Master, who we know is a demanding person (Mt 25:24), will demand of us an account. Let us focus on the Cross, so that from Him will flow our prayers, fasting and almsgiving as a loving response to God’s mercy and saving plan, rather than a selfish way of trying to ‘earn’ our salvation.

May we too take our place at the foot of the Cross – the only place where surrender is turned into victory; where death is turned into life. May Mumbai experience victory and life in Christ, because you and me have died to self and surrendered to His will. May Mary, our Beloved Mother, who journeyed with and stood by Jesus (Jn 19:25) during His way of the Cross, accompany us.

Looking back & Looking forward

2009. Annus horribilis. Or Annus mirabilis. Or something in between.

Each of us will fall into one of these three categories; possibly many of us may fall into the last one - somewhere between “horrible year” and “wonderful year”. But, irrespective of which category, to the person who walks by faith (2 Cor 5:7), a time to “praise the Lord”, for God’s Word encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thes 5:18). So, we all say (I take the liberty on your behalf), “Thank You, Loving Father; Thank You, Precious Saviour; Thank You, Holy Spirit Our Constant Helper.”

Looking back, and counting our blessings there is indeed so much to thank the Lord for. So many miracles and answered prayers in the past year; listing just a few that we have prayed together “in on accord” (Acts 1:14) for in 2009:

- The success of the Indian Mission Congress
- The Hand of the Lord during the Proclamation effort at Mount Mary’s, Bandra (both for the weekly initiative as well as the outreach during the Bandra Fair)
- The secular Government in our Country and State

We also thank the Lord for protecting our Pope from any serious harm during the recent attack on him as well as protecting all 278 passengers aboard the Delta flight, from the terrorist attack just above Detroit. Both on Christmas Day. Glory to God!

Thus, with an attitude of gratitude we look ‘with hope’ towards 2010. We believe, with God’s grace, that it indeed will be a “perfect 10”. For with the Lord “all things work for the good” (Rom 8:28). May the Lord “direct our path” as we “acknowledge Him” and “trust in Him with all our hearts” (Prov 3: 5, 6). And so we say confidently, “Thank you, Lord, for 2010”.

And we can already see the Lord in control as we began preparing the intercessory diary for the month of January. We sensed the Lord directing us to pray for the Proclamation Cell of our Archdiocese as well as the efforts for Christian Unity with a greater appreciation for our own Catholic faith. You can imagine our joy when we realised that the Holy Father’s Missionary Intention for January is: That every believer in Christ may understand that unity among all Christians is necessary for effective proclamation of the gospel. A confirmation from the Holy Spirit of the need to immerse in prayer two key aspects - Proclamation and Christian Unity.

Toward this end, I commend to your prayers and wish to remind you of two important highlights this month
- the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan18-25th)
- the Catholic Apologetics Outreach being organised from Jan 29th -31st (7-9pm at St Peter’s Bandra). All are welcome. Entry is free.

I close with sincere wishes for God’s abundant blessings on you and your family. We consecrate this New Year to the intercession of our Blessed Mother and the saints. May the Lord sanctify and have His way in all the time He gives us in 2010.

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds our future. Halleluiah!

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