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Today is the beginning of Lent. The liturgy says it is a 'joyful
season' and a 'season of grace'. Yet people often see it as a gloomy time, a
season in which we remember our sins and are aware of our mortality.
It is true that in Lent we are mindful of these things and one may ask
where is the 'grace', the 'joy', in all that? There would be none, of
course, if we had not been forgiven our sins and promised resurrection
from death. But we have. God, who is all tenderness, kindness and
compassion, has opened his heart to us that we might open our hearts to him.
If we pray and fast and give alms during Lent, it is not to win
something from God, but to return heartfelt love to Him who has already given
us everything. The forty days of Lent are a journey of love in which God reshapes our battered hearts for a renewed welcoming of the love of Christ. In Lent, we are re- directed, opened out towards a Love that is waiting for us, waiting to pour itself out in Jesus' self-emptying death and life-giving resurrection. Lord, prepare us to receive love - and to imitate the love of Your Son. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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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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