20 Feb Tue 7th Week in Ordinary Time Sir. 2:1-13 Ps. 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40 Mk. 9:30-37 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        "The salvation of the just is from the Lord". While we easily accept this truth, we may not always find it easy to keep in mind and so to face life with the assurance which it brings. This truth is both an assurance and a challenge. If salvation is really from the Lord, then it is a gift of grace, a mystery. We will not necessarily see or understand the many different ways in which God carries out the work of our redemption. We are then called to a greater trust, a trust that allows God to work in our lives: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". While we may not always understand the ways of God, we do at least have the magnificent consolation of the coming of Jesus. All that Jesus said and did was closely tied in with the work of our redemption, the salvation which God desired for us. Facing this great mystery, we may be like the disciples, failing to understand Jesus. Unlike them, however, we need not be afraid to question Jesus. We may come to Him in search of the truth in great simplicity and innocence of heart.           Lord Jesus, grant us the wisdom we need to come to You in childlike simplicity seeking Your truth. 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 -