RELIGION AND ART

SAINT JOHN, Apostle and Evangelist  images of Saint John Ant.         Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles Peter and John, said to them in reply, ``Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.   It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard``. Acts 4:19-20 RESPONSORY: You have made them rulers over all the earth INTERCESSORY Father, you wanted your Son to be seen first by the apostles after the resurrection from the dead, we ask you to make us his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world. You sent your Son to preach the good news to the poor, help us to preach this Gospel to every creature. You sent your Son to sow the seed of unending life, grant that we who walk at sowing the seed may share the   joy of the harvest. You sent your Son to reconcile all people to you through his blood, help us all to work towards achieving this reconciliation. PR

SAINT STEPHEN, first Martyr psalm 27 Come, let us worship the newborn Christ who has given the glorious crown to Saint Stephen It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.   Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to the ministry of the word. The proposal was acceptable to all.     Acts 6:2b-5   Ant. 1                     My soul held fast to you, my God; for your sake I suffered death by stoning Psalm 63:2-9        A soul thirsting for God O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you, for you my soul is thirsting. For you my flesh is pining, like a dry, weary land without water. I have come before you in the holy place, to behold your strength and your glory. Your loving mercy is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hand. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet; with joyful my

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD   Prayer:   God our Father, every year we rejoice as we look forward to this feast of our Salvation.   May we welcome Christ as our Redeemer,, and meet him with confidence when he comes to be our judge, we, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. MERRY CHRISTMAS In our normal state, except with the divine grace of God, we can never understand the weaknesses of others because God’s grace is with us to protect and shield us from temptation (preservation from God).  This we must not take for granted. We must ask God to protect us from judgemental spirit, spirit of self- righteousness, pride and arrogance.   He alone can protect us from these destructive evils. We bear consequences of our actions or other people’s action due to their evil tendency which makes us victims and their preys.   In the course of every events of our lives, we need the divine guidance, and protection of God