VOL. 26 ISSUE B-3 MONTH-MARCH YEAR-2006
"THE BIBLICAL WAY OF THE CROSS" :: LET US PRAY TO OUR MERCIFUL AND MOST BEAUTIFUL MOTHER :: A MESSAGE FOR LENT 2006 FROM THE HOLY FATHER :: BIBLE QUIZ :: OT & NT READING PLANS FOR MAR_APR 2006 :: LIVING WITNESSES OF GOD IN JEEVAN DHAM


"THE BIBLICAL WAY OF THE CROSS"

The HOLY BIBLE is the Word of God, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. (Heb. 4:12) And the words of Christ are Spirit and Life for us. (Jn 6:63) To get a deeper insight and understanding of the Passion of Jesus- his suffering, love and sacrifice for us all, we need to reflect on the Word of God concerned with this subject. This will inspire and challenge us to change our lives and follow the Saviour in his footsteps, carrying our daily cross without turning back and without complaining.
The Opening prayer:
Jesus says, “...whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Matt.10:38-39) O Lord, help us to follow your way of the Cross to obtain the glory of resurrection! O dear sorrowful mother, Blessed Virgin Mary, who lived the first way of the Cross with your Son, obtain me the grace to understand the mystery, the wisdom and the Divine love of God at each station by meditating on His powerful Word.
1. Jesus is condemned to death
“The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Is. 53:6b-8)
2. Jesus carries His Cross
“He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” (Is. 42:2-3) Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven..”(Matt. 5:11-12)
3. Jesus falls the first time
“They repay me evil for good; my soul is forlorn...at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; ruffians whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing; they impiously mocked more and more, gnashing at me with their teeth.” (Ps. 35:12, 15-16)
4. Jesus meets His afflicted Mother
“For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed...They heard how I was groaning, with no one to comfort me. All my enemies heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it.” (Lam. 1:16,21)
5. Simon helps Jesus carry His Cross
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30)
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40)
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. (Is. 53:2-3) Jesus says, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” (Matt. 12:7)
7. Jesus falls a second time
“Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken,struck down by God,and afflicted.”(Is. 53:4)
8. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem
“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills,‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(Lk.23:28-31)
9. Jesus falls a third time
“They open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint;my heart is like wax;it is melted within my breast; my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws;you lay me in the dust of death.”(Ps.22:13-15)
10. Jesus is stripped of His garments
“A company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled; I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid!”(Ps.22:16-19)
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” (Is.53:5) Even on the cross, Jesus prayed for his persecutors, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk.23:34)
12. Jesus dies on the Cross
“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.”(Lk. 23:44-46) Jesus says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn.15:13)
13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
The prophet Simeon once said to Mary, “a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk.2:35)“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2Cor.1:3-4)
14. Jesus is laid in the Sepulchre
“My heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.” (Ps.16:9-10)
“See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him —so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals— so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.” (Is. 52:13-15)
Closing Prayer
“Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities...because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Is.53:11-12)
“And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them...So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2Cor.5:15,17)

LET US PRAY TO OUR MERCIFUL AND MOST BEAUTIFUL MOTHER
As St. Alphonsus De Ligouri rightly said of you, “ Born a great Saint, Mary’s soul was the most beautiful soul that God ever created,” being the most beautiful and loving mother of Jesus, who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, help us to open our eyes, our hearts and our hands to the poor, sick and the needy around us. With your beautiful and loving eyes, fill us with your loving gaze so that we may see the presence of Christ, your beloved Son, in every person and reverence his presence within us as living temples of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen. Our Father... Hail Mary...

 


A MESSAGE FOR LENT 2006 FROM THE HOLY FATHER

[Contd... from the previous (Feb.) issue]

It is quite impossible to separate the response to people’s material and social needs from the fulfilment of the profound desires of their hearts. This has to be emphasized all the more in today’s rapidly changing world, in which our responsibility towards the poor emerges with ever greater clarity and urgency. The “gaze” of Christ upon the crowd impels us to affirm the true content of “complete humanism” that consists in the “fully-rounded development of the whole man and of all men”. For this reason, the primary contribution that the Church offers to the development of mankind and peoples does not consist merely in material means or technical solutions. Rather, it involves the proclamation of the truth of Christ, Who educates consciences and teaches the authentic dignity of the person and of work; it
means the promotion of a culture that truly responds to all the questions of humanity. In the face of the terrible challenge of poverty afflicting so much of the world’s population, indifference and self-centered isolation stand in stark contrast to the “gaze” of Christ. Fasting and almsgiving, which, together with prayer, the Church proposes in a special way during the Lenten Season, are suitable means for us to become conformed to this “gaze”. The examples of the saints and the long history of the Church’s missionary activity provide invaluable indications of the most effective ways to support development. Even in this era of global interdependence, it is clear that no economic, social, or political project can replace that gift of self to another through which charity is expressed. Those who act according to the logic of the Gospel live the faith as friendship with God Incarnate and, like Him, bear the burden of the material and spiritual needs of their neighbours. They see it as an inexhaustible mystery, worthy of infinite care and attention. They know that he who does not give God gives too little; as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta frequently observed, the worst poverty is not to know Christ. Therefore, we must help others to find God in the merciful face of Christ. Without this perspective, civilization lacks a solid foundation. Thanks to men and women obedient to the Holy Spirit, many forms of charitable work intended to promote development have arisen in the Church: hospitals, universities, professional formation schools, and small businesses. Such initiatives demonstrate the genuine humanitarian concern of those moved by
the Gospel message, far in advance of other forms of social welfare. These charitable activities point out the way to achieve a globalization that is focussed upon the true good of mankind and, hence, the path towards authentic peace. Moved like Jesus with compassion for the crowds, the Church today considers it her duty to ask political leaders and those with economic and financial power to promote development based on respect for the dignity of every man and woman. An important litmus test for the success of their efforts is religious liberty, understood not simply as the freedom to proclaim and celebrate Christ, but also the opportunity to contribute to the building of a world enlivened by charity.

We cannot ignore the fact that many mistakes have been made in the course of history by those who claimed to be disciples of Jesus. They have thought that they should first improve this world and only afterwards turn their minds to the next. The temptation was to believe that, in the face of urgent needs, the first imperative was to change external structures. The consequence, for some, was that Christianity became a kind of moralism, ‘believing’ was replaced with ‘doing’. Rightly, therefore, my Predecessor, Pope John Paul II, of blessed memory, observed: “The temptation today is to reduce Christianity to merely human wisdom, a pseudo-science of well-being. In our heavily secularized world, a ‘gradual secularization of salvation’ has taken place, so that people strive for the good of man, but man who is truncated…We know, however, that Jesus came to bring integral salvation” (Redemptoris Missio, 11).

It is this integral salvation that Lent puts before us, pointing towards the victory of Christ over every evil that oppresses us. In turning to the Divine Master, in being converted to Him, in experiencing His mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will discover a “gaze” that searches us profoundly and gives new life to the crowds and to each one of us. It restores trust to those who do not succumb to scepticism, opening up before them the perspective of eternal beatitude. Throughout history, even when hate seems to prevail, the luminous testimony of His love is never lacking. To Mary, “the living fount of hope”, we entrust our Lenten journey, so that she may lead us to her Son. I commend to her in particular the multitudes who suffer poverty and cry out for help, support, and understanding. With these
sentiments, I cordially impart to all of you a special Apostolic Blessing. From the Vatican, 29 September, 2005. BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

 

NEW BIBLE READING PLANS FOR 2006

The Holy Bible, the Divine
Word of God, the Book of Faith and Revelation, should be read regularly everyday to nourish our Spirit, to strengthen our faith, hope and love, and to guide us at every moment of our life. Last year we had presented you with the 365-Day Bible Reading Plan- covering the whole Bible, with plans corresponding to each month of the year. We believe that, although it was little stretched out, it had benefitted the readers who stuck to the schedule and read the whole Bible within the year. This year we would like to introduce two new plans, viz., the 26-Week (6-month) NT reading Plan and the 52-Week (1 Year) OT reading Plan, which would help you to read the OT and the NT daily (OT in the morning and NT in the evening or vice versa). Hence, starting from this month, we will be providing you with both the reading plans every month. Set apart some time to read the passage everyday (early morning/evening/late night) and try your best to stick to the schedule. You’ll definitely get incredible results.
God Bless You!

6-MTH./26-WK. NT READING PLAN
WEEKS 9 -13 (March - April 2006)
DATE 26-28/Mar 1-4 5-11 12-18 19-25 26-31/Apr 1
DAY WEEK 9 WEEK 10 WEEK 11 WEEK 12 WEEK 13
Sun Deut.15-17 D34/Josh.1-2 Josh.21-23 Judg.17-19 1Sam.13-15
Mon Deut.18-20 Josh.3-5 J24/Judg.1-2 J20-21/Ruth1 1Sam.16-18
Tues Deut.21-23 Josh.6-8 Judg.3-5 Ruth2-4 1Sam.19-21
Wed Deut.24-26 Josh.9-11 Judg.6-7 1Sam.1-3 1Sam.22-24
Thurs Deut.27-28 Josh.12-14 Judg.8-10 1Sam.4-6 1Sam.25-27
Fri Deut.29-31 Josh.15-17 Judg.11-13 1Sam.7-9 1Sam.28-30
Sat Deut.32-33 Josh.18-20 Judg.14-16 1Sam.10-12 1S31/2S1-2

12-MTH./52-WK. OT READING PLAN
WEEKS 9 -13 (March - April 2006)
DATE 26-28/Mar.1-4 5-11 12-18 19-25 26-31/Apr 1
DAY WEEK 9 WEEK 10 WEEK 11 WEEK 12 WEEK 13
Sun Luke 13 Luke 20 John 3 John 10 John 17
Mon Luke 14 Luke 21 John 4 John 11 John 18
Tues Luke 15 Luke 22 John 5 John 12 John 19
Wed Luke 16 Luke 23 John 6 John 13 John 20
Thurs Luke 17 Luke 24 John 7 John 14 John 21
Fri Luke 18 John 1 John 8 John 15 Acts 1-2
Sat Luke 19 John 2 John 9 John 16 Acts 3-4



BIBLE QUIZ
XXIII. PASSION AND RESURRECTION
Chapters 14-16
You have to complete the following verses after finding them in the Gospel of Mark, (taken from Chs.
14-16) dealing with the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus:
i) When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and _________.
ii) “I am; and you will see the Son of Man _________.
iii) Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said,_________.
iv) And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, _________.
v) They will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; ______.
vi) Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time ______.
vii) They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was
Answers to Last month’s Quiz
XXII. THE JERUSALEM MINISTRY
Chapters 11-13
i. pregnant, infants, winter - 13:17-18;
ii. dead, living - 12:27 ;
iii. house, prayer, robbers - 11:17 ;
iv. hour, Son, Father- 13:32;
v. John, heaven, human- 11:30 ;
vi. nation, kingdom, famine - 13:8;
vii. emperor, God - 12:17

Send Your Answers to:
JEEVAN DHAM, H.No. 696/ Sec-22, Faridabad-121005, Haryana.Rules to be followed:
1. Answers may be sent by post or e-mail latest by the end of the month. Answers received after that will not be considered.
2. You should clearly specify your name and postal address. Mention the quiz number and title before the answers written in order.
3. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of three consecutive quizzes.
4. Answers and winners of each quiz will be published in the subsequent issue of the newsletter.

Thanks for taking the Quiz! Good Luck!

 

A) GOD GAVE ME A NEW LIFE! HE HEALED ALL MY WOUNDS, STOPPED MY BODY FROM DECAYING! GLORY BE TO HIM!

Praise be to Jesus! Thanks be to Jesus!  
  I, Bijender, was suffering from a dreadful disease by birth due to which I could not eat, walk, sleep, sit down or work properly. My whole body was filled with sores oozing pus every now and then; my nails grew longer very fast and had to be cut regularly. I could not go to school for studies. My whole body gave a rotten and unbearable smell which made it impossible for anyone to even come closer to me. My life was completely miserable and painful. I was taken to several private doctors in Mathura and Delhi. They could not diagnose my disease and so no treatment seemed to be effective on me.  Sometimes, by taking the medicine, I had to suffer more out of immense pain. All my life, that is for the past 15 years, I sought healing through medicine and other treatments. But my health condition remained unperturbed.
  One day a lady in my neighbourhood told me about the healing prayer service held at Jeevan Dham and advised me to attend the Sunday prayer service, assuring me of being healed if I had faith in God. I accompanied her every Sunday from Mathura to come here. My merciful Lord heard my prayers and started healing me gradually. I stopped taking medicine and kept faith in God waiting to receive His grace and His healing touch on me. Within a few weeks, the wounds and sores in my body got healed, except on my legs (as shown in the above picture), Hence, I can now eat anything, sleep comfortably, leave all my worries and work without pain and discomfort. My nails do not grow wildly as before or ooze out pus. This is really a stupendous miracle that the Almighty God did for me. Praise be to Him, now and forever. Alleluia! Bijender, Mathura
    “Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.” (Psalms 66:20)

 

B) OUTREACH PROGRAMME AT LAKSHMI NAGAR OF JEEVAN DHAM! ALL THESE WERE BLESSED WITH THE GIFT OF SIGHT!-March 14


Blessed with the gift of sight, all  these (above) persons removed their specs during the prayer service!  
  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
PRAISE THE LORD! ALLELUIA!










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HOLY MASS :
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Are you … worried & burdened?
Are you … depressed?
Are you … sick or weak?
Do you … feel the absence of peace & love in your life?
Are you … grappling with a lot of problems in your life?
Then visit this place chosen by God & see for yourselves all the incredible miracles happening here.This place is ‘JEEVAN DHAM’. Believe in God and attend the prayer session held every Sunday at St.Anthony’s School (ground), Sec-9, Faridabad from morning 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. organized with the grace of Almighty God by ‘Jeevan Dham’- H.no.696/ Sec-22, Faridabad. Obtain invaluable graces & heavenly blessings & witness the miraculous healings performed by Him.
WELCOME TO JEEVAN DHAM!
Scriptural references in DIVYA JYOTI are from the New Revised Standard Version (© Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers)1989
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