We read in today's Gospel John's version of Jesus handing on His Spirit
to His disciples. The effects are dramatic. They had been huddled
together in that room, afraid that the authorities would come to arrest them
as accomplices of Jesus. But now it is Jesus, not dead but risen, who
comes to them. He brings them peace and they are filled with joy,
knowing that He is with them again. This is the transformation that Jesus can
bring into our lives too if we surrender fully to Him. Joy and peace
will be ours, in spite of troubles which may surround us. But Jesus has
not come just to console them in their fear and sorrow. He has work for
them to do - His mission. From now on, they will be His hands and feet
and voice. Their task is the work of reconciliation, of bringing people
back together in union with their God and in union with each other as
brothers and sisters. And this is basically our Christian mission in our
families and homes, in our work places and in our society generally. We
are to be agents of forgiveness and reconciliation, of love and
harmony, of justice and peace.
Dear Jesus, help us to carry on the work, which You began. Let us not
fail to reach out to those who need to know Your love and to experience
it in their lives.
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DAILY OFFERING
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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.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That consecrated people, answering the call of their
particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the
present-day world
Elaboration
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