11 Apr Wed Wednesday of Holy Week Is. 50:4-9a Ps. 69:8-10, 21bcd-22, 31, 33-34 Mt. 26:14-25 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        Today's Gospel text invites us to enter into the process of self-examination especially in the area of sin. The scene in the Upper Room saw how Jesus shattered the festive mood with His announcement, "One of you will betray me" (Mt. 26:21). The disciples were greatly distressed and began to question themselves. No one actually looked at Jesus and asked Him how it could be! Judas' question, "Surely, not I, Rabbi?" was responded with "They are your own words, you have said so", by Jesus. Similarly, when we sin, we condemn ourselves. Often we do not look at Jesus but focus on ourselves. Jesus does not utter the sentence against us but we do so ourselves. We make our own choices and unless we change them, the expected consequences follow. So, as long as we are alive, repentance remains a real possibility. We may not be able to reverse the events but we can make the decision to transform or reform our lives.      Judas did not admit his own sin so as to receive Jesus' forgiveness. There is so much to receive in 'repentance'. John 13:1 says, "Jesus ... would show his love for them to the end". In these words we are assured of His love for us. This unconditional love is again affirmed in the Song of the Prophet Isaiah wherein we experience God's comforting love in true discipleship. Praying with this song can indeed give us a sense of love, peace and confidence in the love of God.           Lord Jesus, lead us to repentance so as to experience Your forgiving love. DAILY OFFERING Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen. PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH INTENTION That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world Elaboration
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world In the world of today there is a widespread search for joy, happiness, serenity, liberty. That is why the consecrated religious is called on to remind every person that the life of a human being comes from God. Religious give outstanding and striking testimony that the world cannot be transformed and offered to God without the spirit of the Beatitudes which proposes a way of living and for people to relate to each other. The consecrated life is for all the faithful a luminous sign of the common vocation to holiness, a model on which to draw inspiration and courage. Besides, the religious community based on motivations of faith, on mutual love and on sharing presents itself as a call to the constant reform of ecclesial communities. The commitment asked of consecrated people needs the support, awareness and prayer of the entire Christian community, so that human weakness may not prevail but may always allow itself to be led and transformed by God's action. In fact, the attitudes indicated by the Beatitudes not only point a sure way towards fulfilment and charity, but also lead directly to the Person of Christ who came so that men and women not only might have life but have it to the full. - END -