28 Nov Tue 34th Week in Ordinary Time Rev. 14:14-19 Ps. 96:10-13 Lk. 21:5-11 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        The judgement is presented dramatically as a harvest and vintage. The Son of Man who comes on the clouds of heaven as judge gathers in the wheat harvest, which is the gospel symbol for the gathering in of the just. (Mt. 9:38, 13:30), while an angel gathers in the vintage. The vintage and the subsequent treading of grapes is the symbol in the Old Testament for God's judgement against the oppressors of His people (Is. 63:1-5; Joel 3:13). The wrath of God is not capricious anger, but His covenant love which takes the part of the weak and fights for the defenceless.     The upheavels in certain countries and the confusion of the economic world can cause uneasiness and fear. There are many in our own day who would hasten to write a scenario for doomsday. Yet today's Gospel warns against those doomsday panic and fear signals that we raise. The Gospel offers us hope that 'the end is not so soon'. We are called to be just and rely on God.      Come Lord Jesus, be my judge. Teach me Your ways. 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 politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken MORE
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken This prophetic year 2000 projecting into the 3rd millennium is faced with people suffering from hunger, under-development, lack of work, abandoned old people, the sick without care and those suffering from the scourge of drugs. In front of these facts we are called to review our conduct, choices, commitment in the light of the causes which have determined them. Every Christian who is a member of a state and an economic system must take on himself specific responsibilities to overcome these negative elements which greatly disturb the harmonious development of persons and peoples and are at the root of poverty and of its increase. We cannot place ourselves in a situation of passive waiting for other people's conversion. Our personal conversion is the starting point for hope for the necessary changes of direction. It is our hearts we must change. Conversion is a grace given to those who ask the Saviour for it. We turn to the Lord, with insistent prayer, and ask that we may influence the "politicians and economists to feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people and especially the most poverty-stricken". - END -