23 Feb Fri 7th Week in Ordinary Time St Polycarp, bishop and martyr Sir. 6:5-17 Ps. 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34-35 Mk. 10:1-12 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        Wise words are given here on the value of friendship, and how to preserve it. Friendship will be true if it is supported by reverence for God and His commands. One must work hard to create genuine friendship, and prudence is needed in the choice of friends. We are known by the kind of friends we have.      To find a loyal friend is to find a treasure: likewise to find the perfect marriage partner. The wise words on friendship apply to making the choice of a spouse. Again the mutual love of God and His laws will be a solid base for marriage. As God has united husband and wife, so He will give the grace to persevere to the end. Learning to be true friends is a good start for marriage partners.           Lord, bless all those who are married. Give them peace and 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 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 -