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St Paul begins most of his Letters with praise and thanksgiving for graces received, whether by the community to whom he writes the Letter, or by himself personally, or by the whole of the Church. It is only then that he deals with the matters and problems in hand. This fact is a revelation for us: our prayer should begin with thanksgiving. All our reflections on our relationship with God should begin with an awareness of God's gifts and an appreciative gratitude for those gifts. Of all the Letters, Ephesians contains the longest and most developed prayer of praise and thanksgiving. This prayer highlights seven blessings which we have received, seven important reasons why we should praise and thank God. Yesterday we read verses 3-10, containing the first four blessings: blessedness in union with Christ: adoption as children of God; redemption; revelation of God's mysterious design for humanity. Today, we medit ate on the remaining three blessings: we are "claimed as God's own"; Gentiles and Jews alike share in the grace of salvation; the gift of the Spirit as a "pledge of our inheritance." Let us listen attentively to Paul's prayer. Let us appreciate His spirit of thanksgiving. Let us assimilate this spirit by imitating Paul in our own prayer. Lord, we praise You and thank You for all Your gifts. |
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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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