24 Feb Sat 7th Week in Ordinary Time Sir. 17:1-15 Ps. 103:13-18 Mk. 10:13-16 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        Sirach paints a beautiful picture of humanity. We are created in such a marvellous fashion by our God and given such god-like powers. What more could we possibly need? And yet, we are prone to go astray and misuse these wonderful gifts. We need a fresh start, a new beginning. The gospels exalt the child or the second- born person as the ideal member of the Kingdom of God. Why? Isn't it better to be a mature adult? It is important to recognise that we are not exhorted to childishness, but to the wide-eyed wonder and trust of a child in our relationship with God. There is no room for cynicism or negativity, but only for joy and spontaneity. But there is another reason: we have to become as child in order to learn correctly the principles of the Kingdom of God, which are at odds with those of the world. The divine principles include unconditional love, forgiveness, humility, thinking of the other, sharing, and many more. Being born again or becoming as a child in the Gospels gives us a chance to start anew and to live up to our noble calling as sons and daughters of God. Let us examine our attitudes and values: do they mirror those of the Kingdom, or those of the world.?           Lord, give me a heart of childlike openness and wonder. 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 -