29 Dec Fri 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas 1 Jn. 2:3-11 Ps. 96:1-2, 2-3, 5-6 Lk. 2:22-35 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        Jesus' insistence on showing God's love in action in the world led to His rejection by many who could not accept the clarity of the light He was revealing. Simeon's prophecy shows up the knife-edge on which He walked between love and hate, light and darkness. In the first reading, John points out that the love of God must first of all be shown within the Christian community. This may seem to weaken the command of Jesus to love one's enemies. But the point is that many within the community had formerly been enemies - poles apart as Paul points out in Galatians: 'Jews and Greeks, slaves and free, male and female'. Before they became Christians the people only showed love towards their own kith and kin. Now as the followers of Jesus, they must show love towards all.      Lord, open my mind and heart to welcome all in Your love. 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 celebration of the Jubilee may become the source of a new commitment in men and women of good will to protect and promote human life. MORE
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That the celebration of the Jubilee may become the source of a new commitment in men and women of good will to protect and promote human life. In the threshold of the year 2001, it is our duty to renew our commitment to safeguarding the dignity of the poor and marginalised and to recognise in a practical way the rights of those who have no rights. This is the spirit of the new millennium which presupposes the following: The basic right to life which is inviolable which involves a positive choice for life. The development of a culture of this kind embraces all the circumstances of life and ensures the promotion of human dignity in every situation. Recent developments in the field of genetic engineering present a profoundly disquieting challenge. In order that scientific research in this area may be at the service of the person, it must be accompanied at every stage by careful ethical reflection, which will bring about adequate legal norms safeguarding the integrity of human life. Life can never be downgraded to the level of a thing. To choose life involves rejecting every form of violence. In every circumstance, the right to life must be promoted and safeguarded with appropriate legal and political guarantees. Let us raise our voices on their behalf. - END -