|
|
||||||
|
The opening words of Psalm 1 are a good indication of God's intention in revealing His truth to us. The first word is "Blessed" or "Happy". God's word is intended to bring us great blessedness, great happiness. The Bible in general will equate happiness or blessedness with "walking in the way of the Lord," for the way of the Lord is the way of the just. By walking in this way, we are blessed with the certainty that we enjoy the grace of God's providence: "The Lord watches over the way of the just." The one who walks in the way of the Lord, will "delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night." Meditation brings delight, and delight transforms meditation into contemplation. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is only through Him that we can come to the Father. In the Father's presence we will enjoy life and truth to the full and forever. In all His teaching, Jesus drew people to delight in the truth, provided that they were open to the presence of God manifested in all "the marvels which Jesus was accomplishing." Father, fill our hearts with contemplative delight, as we rejoice in all the marvels You have done for us in Christ Jesus Your Son. |
|
- END -
P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
| INTENTION : |
That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families
|
|
The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). | |
|
- END - | |