Shalom

11Sep Tue	23rd Week in Ordinary Time
	Col. 2:6-15 Ps. 145:1-2, 8-11 Lk. 6:12-19

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In the Letter to the Colossians Paul is cautioning the people not to get caught in the traps of empty philosophies and belief systems based on the rules of the world. How appropriate for us today! We have philosophies and belief systems today that are just as potent as the ones that Paul is talking about in his letter. The attractiveness about these systems is that they provide easy answers and because of this they can easily pull us away from the mystery and reality of our baptism and our own 'resurrection' in Christ. What does it mean to say that I am saved by my baptism and that, in a sense, I am reborn in Christ's paschal mystery?

What a wonderful example the apostles provide! They were twelve men who saw the truth in the teaching and the person of Jesus. In seeing the truth they chose to live it by leaving behind their worldly ordered lives and see the world with the compassion that Jesus taught them. In this they were empowered to join Jesus' mission of preaching, teaching and helping the sick. In essence they were people who accepted Jesus' forgiveness and, as a result, their lives became witnesses to the triumph of the power of God. This is what a true acceptance of my baptism and resurrection in Christ means.

Lord, grant me the fortitude and understanding to enter daily into the mystery of my life in Christ.

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 the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.
Elaboration

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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 the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.
"Lord Jesus, you have made these young people your friends; keep them for ever close to you! Amen." This closing prayer of John Paul II at the Mass in Korazim in the Holy Land last year indicates the deep concern he has for the youth of the third millennium. At the Mount of Beatitudes, the Holy Father looked down on the assembled youth and said, "How may generations before us have been deeply moved by the Sermon on the Mount! How many young people down the centuries have gathered around Jesus to learn the words of eternal life, as you are gathered here today! It is wonderful that you are here!" The ideal the Holy Father proposes to the youth of today is that they look at Jesus, who embodies the Beatitudes. They will see what it means to be poor in spirit, gentle and merciful, to mourn, to care for what is right, to be pure in heart, to make peace, to be persecuted. He challenges them to go out into the world and preach the message of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes which speak of truth and goodness, and grace and freedom: of all that is necessary to enter Christ's Kingdom. Now it is their turn to be courageous apostles of that kingdom.
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