11 Feb Sun 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) Jer. 17:5-8 Ps. 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6 1 Cor. 15:12, 16-20 Lk. 6:17, 20-26 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        The "Beatitudes" reflect the characteristics of a life of the disciple who experiences poverty, hunger, sorrow and being hated for choosing values of the Kingdom. It calls for a change of attitudes and relationships in our society where materialism, individualism, injustice and pride prevail. This is possible if followers of Christ, with their deep faith and confidence in God work in solidarity with the weak, poor, hungry, deprived and those who suffer under oppressive forces.      Our hope in the resurrected Christ will assure us of His guiding hands in such works of redemption where helplessness, hopelessness and powerlessness are experienced. Prophet Jeremiah also reminds us of the need to place our trust and confidence in God if we want to translate into actions the imperatives of the "Beatitudes". This is how true happiness can be attained.           Lord, help us to be Your instruments of liberative love so that justice and equality may reign in our society. 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 children will never again be obliged to participate in any war, but may be freed from hatred and violence and may live, as children should, enjoying friendship in their family, school and society. Elaboration
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That children will never again be obliged to participate in any war, but may be freed from hatred and violence and may live, as children should, enjoying friendship in their family, school and society. The international community is increasingly recognising the vulnerability of displaced children in refugee camps. They are at particular risk of being exploited by armed groups. As recruited soldiers children suffer disproportionately from the general rigours of military life. Younger children may have deformed backs and shoulders, the result of carrying loads too heavy for them. Malnutrition, respiratory and skin infections and other ailments are frequent, as are sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. The use of child soldiers also has repercussion on other children who remain in the conflict area. The risk, is that children will be killed, detained interrogated, or subject to pre-emptive recruitment. We must not close our eyes to the fact that child soldiers are not victims and perpetrators. No matter what the child is guilty of, the main responsibility lies with us, the adults. To stop this abuse, no child under 18 should be recruited for or participate in war. There is simply no excuse, no acceptable argument for arming children. - END -