2022 March Nuhra - Monthly of Knanaya Region, USA.

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. (Joel 2: 12)

As a physician, I often come keep us from desiring only across drug addicted God and His holy will. They patients who act as if they are can drag us away from the grace under the control of evil spirits. of God and allow the devil to It is often heartbreaking to see take control of our lives. We how their beautiful souls have need to allow the Spirit of God been captivated by the evil to consume us and lead us in Spirits. all that we do. Fasting and other We as people of faith, may forms of mortification help us succeed in remaining away from to stay focused upon the Spirit these addictions or other satanic rather than upon our influences, but don’t we often weaknesses and fleshly sense a loss of Christ in our own temptations. lives? This mostly comes Fasting can take on many because of our sins when we forms, but, at the heart, it is knowingly or unknowingly simply an act of self-denial and submit ourselves to the desires self-sacrifice for God. It helps and affections of the flesh. Even us overcome earthly and for those growing in faith, fleshly desires so that our sometimes there are other spirits can more fully desire competing desires that tend to Christ. drown out Christ from their lives. During this lent season, let us To be true disciples of Jesus pray for the grace to conform Christ, we need to have control ourselves more fully to God by over our worldly passions and mortifying our disordered fleshly appetites. Fasting and appetites and desires so that other forms of mortification God alone can take complete helps us overcome the desires of control of our lives. Let us be the flesh so that God will have open to the gift of fasting and control over our Spirits and guide may this penitential act help to us through His grace. transform our lives. Our appetites and fleshly desires can easily cloud our thinking and Dr Bibita Parappallil So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. (Daniel 9: 3-5)

Fr. Thomas Mulavanal We are members of a church to the tricks of the evil spirits. The evil for 21 days gave him an incredible which believes in the power of spirit is very active, seeking the ruin fasting and prayer. Over the centuries, of souls. We always go with the evil response from heaven (Daniel we have seen great miracles and unknowingly because as it says in wonders happening in the world Genesis 8:21, “The humankind is Ch.10.). through fasting and prayers. inclined to the evil from their youth”. Acknowledging the worldly In Genesis 3: 16, it is written that the Our loving God demands from us temptations that people encounter ways of sin are delightful to see and with, Jesus advises us to fast and pray very tasty. Jesus demands anyone physical actions to get strengthened so that we might overcome any those who desire to follow him must temptations that deviate our deny themselves, take up the cross and in spirit and experience miraculous relationships with God. A perfect then follow him. There is no easy way. example of how fasting and penance People knowingly or unknowingly take interventions. Jesus taught us the have such a tremendous influence on up the easy way in their life which is people who are living under the the way to destruction. importance of abstinences and influence of the evil spirit is depicted Fasting and prayer are the two in the book of Jonah. Nineveh was a powerful spiritual weapons that fight personal prayers through his own life large city, where the people were living the satanic force in this world. Devil in much chaos and led a sinful life. is a reality. He wants to blind people and requested us to practice it to The prophet Jonah who went into to the truth of what Jesus has taught Nineveh and proclaimed to the people us to practice. Temptations are not subjugate our physical fragility and that if they won’t turn away from their something that emerged in our sinful habits, God is going to destroy lifetimes. It started at the very weaknesses. the city in 40 days. People of Nineveh beginning of human life. He tried to including the King, decided to fast for deceive the first parents Adam and Lent season reminds us of the 40 days, and they wore sack dresses Eve and planted in them the doubt and sat in the ashes. God changed his about the things God had said. The importance of prayer, fasting and acts mind, and the city of Nineveh was same Satan is living among us in all saved from destruction. our present situations. We must be of compassion. It is easy for us to go There are two forces in and around mindful that our enemy, the devil, is us; the angelic spirits and the evil real and must be wise enough to fight through it unnoticed, but when we try spirits, both are invisible spirits. Your against him through prayer and fasting. life is influenced by which one of these We as human beings need to be to take it seriously and apply it in our spirits dominates in you. If the Holy obedient either to God or to Satan. Spirit dominates in you, your behavior Spiritual obedience will bring us Christian life, it produces enormous and attitude become Godly. But in spiritual results. Fasting is a very general, the evil spirit dominates in effective physical action we could do strength in our spiritual warfare. Jesus most humans because human hearts to resist temptations and receive favors being weak often submit themselves is not demanding big challenges in our and blessings from God. When we do it in a higher level of fasting and life, rather asking us to do little things continued prayer, more protection and spiritual release will be given. in a perfect form of love and When Moses prayed continuously, Israelites were able to conquer the dedication. battle over the Amalek (Exo: Ch.17). Daniel’s fasting and prayer As a human being we must battle with the world, flesh, and devil. People with enlightened spirit and mind and are prayerfully walking with the Word of God and sacraments will strongly defeat any tempting desires and snares of the world. Our God is stronger than any forces of the world. The power of prayer and fasting will generate in us energy to shine forth evangelical virtues and a spirit filled life. Remember the three pillars of the Lent- Prayer, fasting and alms giving. This the best time to repent and to transform. Wishing you all a very blessed W Easter! Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6 )

Alexis Biju add to the significance they were still effective means to Kannachanparambil of this time as it is a connect with God on a deeper level time to repent of sin, in the New Testament. Chicago mourn death, and What are some of the advantages of anticipate a day when fasting? Fasting will, first and “After fasting forty days and forty humanity will be foremost, assist you in breaking the nights, He [Jesus] was hungry” healed. cycle of sin in your life. Fasting is a (Matthew 4:2). Forty days! It’s The Bible provides private, personal practice. It is not a difficult to comprehend what He’s several examples and trick to get anything from God; rather, been going through these days. justifications for it is a legitimate act of devotion, that Despite the fact that His human body fasting. When Jesus’ God rewards. Job’s life serves as a was fragile, He was able to reject disciples failed to cast great example. He had a tragic event Satan’s constant temptations. Jesus a demon from a in which he lost all he owned. All his didn’t rely on good sleep or diet to suffering man, Jesus possessions, children, and his health keep His mind sharp enough to fight taught them that there were taken from him. He remained the devil. He completely relied on is a degree of spiritual fasting, praying, and devoting himself God’s strength and Word. to personal worship. After Job had Fasting can strengthen us spiritually strength that can only be attained prayed for his friends, the Lord when we choose to stand on God’s through “prayer and fasting” restored his fortunes and gave him Word, amidst our own human (Matthew 17:14–21). Fasting was a twice as much as he had before. He imperfection. The number “40” is way of life for the disciples and early even blessed him with more sons and used numerous times in the apostles; they fasted very often. daughters. Job’s life was filled with Scriptures: Jesus fasted forty days Fasting can break strongholds and God’s rewards. Secondly, fasting will and forty nights, there were forty days hold deliverance, as Jesus Himself result in improved health and healing. between Jesus’ resurrection and stated. It can make you feel more You will see that fasting on a regular ascension, it rained forty days and connected to God. Moses fasted for basis and honoring God through forty nights, Moses was on Mount forty days with the Lord, relying on fasting, prayer, and giving is directly Sinai for forty days and forty nights, Him for guidance, wisdom, and tied to sin being removed from your The Israelites wandered for forty direction in writing the Ten life. It gives insight and even allows years, Elijah traveled forty days and Commandments. you to let go of resentment and forty nights to Mount Horeb, and Fasting entails much more than forgive others. People have much more. Lent is practiced for a simply going without food for a period attempted to forgive others but have total of forty days to remember Jesus’ of time. It is an inner metamorphosis been unable to do so; consequently, fasting in the desert for forty days. as much as an outer practice. It’s all you start fasting and trust God to sort Prayer, fasting, and giving are the about confronting your most horrible it out in your heart. three basic things that people value sins and finally becoming free. When you look into Jesus’ life, you throughout Lent. During this time, Fasting can be a method to repent will notice that He does not pray in fasting, or giving up something, is a and return to God. “Yet even now, public nearly as much as He does common application. Giving up a daily declares the Lord, return to me with privately. According to the Bible, habit, such as eating chocolate all your heart, with fasting, with Jesus would frequently pray during or scrolling through social media, weeping, and with mourning” (Joel can serve as a reminder of Jesus’ 2:12). This powerful phrase from the See Page: 5 Almighty God is a summon to sacrifice. More repentance, a cry to turn to God’s time spent unending goodness and love. Fasting interacting with God is a means to express your repentant can potentially be heart. God did not ask for fasting substituted for that alone in the Old Testament. Fasting time. Fasting may was a reason for individuals to demonstrate they truly wanted to return to God. The Bible mentions fasting and prayer several times; both appear to be closely linked. Along with many others, Jesus and the disciples fasted and prayed. Fasting and prayer were important spiritual practices in the Old Testament, and

Betsy Kizhakkepuram, bad habits, for example, getting angry is hard and you will be faced with New Jersey quickly. But whatever you choose, if you give it up in the name of God, it many temptations. But when that Lenten season is one of the most will be the greatest sacrifice you could important and holy times for a make. happens, you must always look to Catholic. It allows us to prepare Jesus taught us how to fast when He ourselves for the sacrifice Jesus has was led to the desert for 40 days and God for strength and uphold your made for us on the cross. When 40 nights by the Spirit. He fasted and Jesus died for us, He made the prayed to God, but afterward, Satan sacrifice. This will make your sacrifice ultimate sacrifice. He died to allow came and tempted him to stray away us to live in God and to be free of from God the Father. But Jesus for God even greater. For example, our sins. It is our duty to make our stayed true to God and asked the mind, body, and heart pure and Holy Spirit for strength to overcome for lent, I chose to sacrifice meat. clean to welcome him into our these temptations. Even on Mount hearts. Olive this was shown. When Jesus Temptations followed me everywhere During the season of lent, most of went to pray, He told His disciples to us are aware that we have to stay awake for an hour, but they could as well. Right after I sacrificed meat, sacrifice something that is important not. In Matthew 26:40 it says, “Then to us, but what does that really He came to the disciples and found our school started to offer different mean? Lenten season isn’t a time to them sleeping, and said to Peter, pick up a new diet or a time to give ‘What! Could you not watch with Me foods at lunch such as buffalo chicken up something that’s actually good for one hour?’” The apostles needed to you. Lenten season is actually a time pray to the Holy Spirit for strength to pizza and Peruvian chicken. when we give up something that is stay awake for Jesus. important to us in the name of God. During the season of lent, we too must Whenever I was ordering food and I These could be simple things, like sacrifice things. But this time of fasting chocolate or ice cream. Or someone felt like getting that, I had to could also try to choose something more difficult like no meat and fish. remember my sacrifice for lent and Other than worldly things, like food and movies, people can also give up pray and tell God that I am giving this up for Him. In the end, the season of lent is a holy time for us to pray, fast, and do penance for our sins. We do all of this to prepare our mind, body, and heart for Jesus on Easter day. Although temptations will follow us when we try to sacrifice in the name of God, we must always look to the Holy Spirit for strength. W I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. (Daniel 10: 3 ) continuation page -4 before men to be seen by them. ignored them and that their fasts had Otherwise, you have no reward from gone unanswered. The right reasons night and have solitary moments with your Father in Heaven… Your Father for fasting bring benefits such as his Father. Fasting and prayer, who sees [what is done] in secret will enhanced physical and spiritual health, whether done in groups or reward you” (Matthew 6:1-4). The answers to prayers, and direction in individually, is private discipline. There prophet Isaiah eloquently summed up temporal and spiritual matters. is little public reward by God when the notion of fasting in the book of Blessings are bestowed upon people there is little private discipline, so keep Isaiah. He reminded his people that who fast at the right time, for the right it personal. In Matthew 6, Jesus some of their fasts were unacceptably reasons, and in the right manner. explains the three responsibilities of selfish and self-righteous. These same a Christian: giving, prayer, and fasting. individuals complained that God had W Jesus also said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds

Kavitha Thomas Mukalel Minnesota We are always searching for happiness around us, not knowing that it is actually a thirsting, aching desire for union with God. The root of the word happiness came from the Greek word Eudemonic which means fulfillment. True happiness is when you really feel a fulfillment in life. The ultimate source of happiness is God. Part 1, Chapter 1 of the CCC begins with a statement a hunger, yearning or thirst. The Greek called the hunger about human desire. What it is, why we have it, and EROS. where it leads to. Why start with desire? As John Paul Pope Benedict articulated Eros as a fire or passion that can II affirmed. “In this creative restlessness beats and lead us in many positive directions. Rather than seeing Eros pulses what is most deeply human.” (RH 18). The desire as a problem to be overcome, Pope notes that rightly for God is written in the human heart, because man is understood and correctly ordered, Eros possesses an essential created by God and for God; and God never ceases to element of love. He declares that love is indeed ‘ecstasy’, draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth not in the sense of a moment of intoxication, but rather as a and happiness he never stops searching for. (CCC27). journey of self- giving, and thus towards authentic self- Why do we feel emptiness even while we achieve our discovery and indeed the discovery of God…(DC#5,6). Of goals one after another? Nothing in this world gives us course, Eros and Agape are perfectly united only in the Triune fulfillment. Whatever we receive in this life, we will God, where passionate love and desire for humanity (Eros) want for more or greater things. The desire or Eros is and desire for humanity’s good (Agape) are synonymous. written with fire in our soul and flesh by our Creator. …all humanity struggles with flaws, mixed motives and Eros if guided in the right direction, acts as the driving sinfulness that prevent us from achieving this perfect union. force to search for our creator, our God. Only in Him, Despite human imperfection, however, with God’s grace, we can achieve some union of Eros and Agape in our own lives we find the true happiness or fulfillment. Man is made to live in communion with God in whom (DC#10). In Christ, Eros is “supremely ennobled, so purified he finds happiness. When I am completely united to to become one with agape. you, there will be no more sorrow or trials, entirely full Eros will either consume us or consummate us. Where we of you, my life will be complete. (CCC45). ‘Our hearts take our Eros will determine whether we are brought to ruin were made for you, O Lord, and they are restless, until or re-union. Eros is like a rocket engine that has the power they rest in you.’ (St Augustine) This desire is of divine to take us to the stars. Eros implies the upward impulse of origin: God has placed it in the human heart in order to the human spirit towards what is true, good, and beautiful so draw man to the one who alone can fulfill it. (CCC1718). that what is erotic also becomes true, good and beautiful They respond to the desire for happiness that God has (TOB 48:1). I always used to wonder why God has created placed in the human heart. (CCC1725). God has placed us with such strong desire for happiness and I am surprised in our hearts such an infinite desire for happiness that to know that this nature has been stamped in us by God nothing can satisfy it but God himself. All the earthly Himself for a noble purpose. Now I know that nothing in fulfillment gives us only a foretaste of eternal happiness. this earthly life can give us the fulfillment that we are seeking Not only my soul, but even every fiber of my flesh is for, our earthly desires are to be used as the fuel of the made to find its peace, its fulfillment in God. “The aching rocket engine propelling us to reach our final destiny-God, desire man experiences is like a signature imprinted with because we all are called for “infinite ecstasy” through our fire in his soul and body by the Creator himself.” (Pope communion with God. God loves us with Eros as well as Benedict XVI-08/10/12). Eros at its deepest levels, is Agape love. W that “inner power that attracts’ So, we fasted and petitioned our God about this, man to the true, the good and and he answered our prayer. (Ezra 8: 23) the beautiful ‘(TOB 475). There is in each human heart

Eucharistic miracle of Douai France, 1254 On the day of Easter in 1254 in the Church of St.Amato in Douai, a priest who was distributing Holy Communion unintentionally dropped a consecrated Host to the ground. Immediately he bent down to pick up the Holy Eucharist, but the Host lifted in flight and lighted on the purificator.Alittle later, a wonderful Child appeared there, who all the faithful and religious present in the celebration could contemplate. Although more than 800 years have elapsed, even today it is still possible to admire the Host of the miracle. All Thursdays of the month in the Church of Saint Peter of Douai, many faithful gather in prayer before the miraculous Host. YOUCAT 505 Why is prayer sometimes a struggle? The spiritual masters of all times have Fathers were acquainted with spiritual described growth in faith and in love for God sluggishness (“acedia”). Reluctance to as a spiritual, life-and-death combat. The seek God is a big problem in the spiritual battlefield is man’s interior life. The Christian’s life. The spirit of the times sees no point weapon is prayer. We can allow ourselves be in praying, and our full calendars leave defeated by our selfishness and lose ourselves no room for it. Then there is the battle against the over worthless things - or we can win God. tempter, who will try anything to keep a person from Often someone who wants to pray must first devoting himself to God. If God did not want us to conquer his lack of will power. Even the Desert find our way to him in prayer, we would not win the battle. W “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Mathew 6: 16-18)

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