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God was at work from the beginning of history. He can only be perceived
by faith. He was never absent from His world. As St Paul told the
Athenians 'It is he who gives everything - including life and breath - to
everyone. Of course at times it may be that only 'a whispered echo is
all that we hear of him' (Job. 26:14). When Jesus had a problem, for example, was He doing God's will in going to Jerusalem? He did not ask advice from others rather He went to a quiet place and to God. St Luke tells us that it was while He was praying that He was transfigured. And St Paul in writing to the Christians in Rome tells them that they should not be modelled on the world but that they should be transformed, and the Greek word He uses is the same word that Mark uses to state that Jesus was transfigured. Transfiguration, transformation, remodelling ourselves on Christ is our calling as His followers, and one of the ways in which they may happen is through prayer. Lord, I want to be transformed in Your likeness. |
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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.
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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. | |
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