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We hear so very much all day long and we have learned to hear without listening. At the Theophany on Mount Tabor God Himself has urged us to listen to Jesus - "This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to Him" (Lk. 9:35). This same admonition is found repeatedly throughout Scriptures. Its frequent occurrence impresses upon us how important and essential it is to learn to listen. We cannot love God until we have learned to listen to Him with every fibre of our being. Yes, Jesus, the Word of God challenges us to listen, then to accept, to understand and keep His Word just as Mary did. If we want to know what it means to be a disciple of Jesus we should follow the example of Mary. Her faith in Jesus and her love for Him, her humility and her eagerness to serve Jesus, above all the fact that Jesus was the centre of her life. These are the virtues which we must imitate to be true disciples. Therefore let us ask God to give us a listening heart so that we may learn to know Him more personally and to be able to respond to the outpouring of His love upon us. O Jesus, through the most pure heart of Mary, open our hearts so that we may hear and listen to Your loving voice each day. Amen. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families
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The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). | |
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