8 Feb
Fri 		4th Week in Ordinary Time
St Jerome Emiliani
Sir. 47:2-11
Ps. 17:31,47,50-51
Mk. 6:14-29
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Today we read of the famous account of the beheading of John the Baptist. John was beheaded for speaking up against the immoral life that King Herod was leading with Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

The story of John the Baptist and the resulting death because of his preaching for the Kingdom of God and his preparation of the way for Jesus reminds us of our own responsibility as followers of Christ in today's world. John suffered arrest, imprisonment and death as the final consequence of his adamant witness to the values of the Kingdom. He did not hold back even when faced with the adverse consequences of going against a secular authority or power.

Today, our own society possesses many ways by which those who speak for love, justice and truth are simply silenced. At times, we ourselves shy away from standing up for the Kingdom when faced with such abusive powers that work against the Kingdom and all those who labour for it. Today, like John we too are being challenged to witness to the Kingdom of God that Jesus has shown us.


Dear Lord, grant me the courage to work for Your Kingdom despite the many obstacles that I may face. Amen.

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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.
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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.

Suffering in any form has a supernatural value. It becomes an efficacious moment for our own and other people's sanctification. This has been the teaching of the Church throughout history bearing in mind the grace of Redemption obtained for us by the Lord on the Cross in Calvary. The Lord's missionary mandate to preach the gospel includes the dual concept "evangelisation and care for the sick".

Convinced of this missionary goal and called on to be visible signs of the mercy and charity of Jesus, Catholic Hospitals are urged to give special evangelical witness by loving works and actions, the Church's solicitude for those who suffer. Hence, Catholic Hospitals are to promote initiatives and actions in favour of life and that the entire hospital health care system be imbued with the culture of enhancing life through generous love and dedicated service.

An essential characteristic of Catholic Hospitals is that its treatment of physical suffering must reflect the mark of the Holy Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, understanding of others, fidelity, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22).



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