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In the first reading the eyes of Amos, pure like the air of the desert, criticize without condition the rotten social injustice favoured by a prosperous kingdom. The businessmen accumulate wealth taking advantage of the poverty of the poor, deceiving them until they make them slaves. This criticism has been much repeated by the prophets. Is not this situation something familiar in our society even today? If our eyes are also pure and simple we will be able to see beyond the beautiful external appearances of society the injustices and oppression of the poor and destitute. This is why Luke presents in today's Gospel the eternal principle of all ages "no-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or be attentive to the one and despise the other. One cannot give oneself to God and money" (Lk. 16:13). Difficult, very difficult principle to follow. One way of keeping it is to follow the words of Paul to Timothy in our second reading. For the Christian, the whole human family is "the kingdom of God", every human being is our neighbour where Christ truly lives. A demand of charity is sincere prayer. The one who lives and belongs to Christ has to be sensitive to what is Christ's not only to pray for all but also to work to build a better society, more just, more peaceful, more equal, more Christian. Father, teach us to know and have the mind of the Lord who gave Himself to liberate the oppressed and poor. |
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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. |
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"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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