23 Apr Mon 2nd Week of Easter Ss Adalbert, Bishop & George martyrs Acts 4:23-31 Ps. 2:1-3, 4-6, 7-9 Jn. 3:1-8 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        Today's passage of Acts shows how aware the early Christians were that courage 'to proclaim the word of God boldly' was the gift of the Spirit. We see the whole community uniting in prayer to God to give them this courage so that they may stand by the Gospel even if persecuted for doing so. Because of God's presence in Him, opposition did not deflect Christ from His work of redemption; His disciples request God's presence with themselves in their difficulties. The outpouring of the Spirit shows how generously their prayer was answered.      The necessity for the Christian to be open to the Spirit and to realise it as gift, is highlighted in the meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus. It was difficult for Nicodemus to understand the meaning of 'being born from above'. It can be difficult for us also. This may be because we sense a challenge in being open to the Spirit, which can make us feel a little uncomfortable. However, with the Spirit, Nicodemus was able to make a leap faith. We, too, are in need of the enlightenment which faith brings. Our ongoing growth in being sensitive to the values of the Kingdom of God is dependent on the gift of the Spirit. This is what we mean by being 'born from above' in our lives!           Lord, lead me in Your ways so that the values of the Kingdom of God may become manifest in my life. 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 consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world Elaboration
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world In the world of today there is a widespread search for joy, happiness, serenity, liberty. That is why the consecrated religious is called on to remind every person that the life of a human being comes from God. Religious give outstanding and striking testimony that the world cannot be transformed and offered to God without the spirit of the Beatitudes which proposes a way of living and for people to relate to each other. The consecrated life is for all the faithful a luminous sign of the common vocation to holiness, a model on which to draw inspiration and courage. Besides, the religious community based on motivations of faith, on mutual love and on sharing presents itself as a call to the constant reform of ecclesial communities. The commitment asked of consecrated people needs the support, awareness and prayer of the entire Christian community, so that human weakness may not prevail but may always allow itself to be led and transformed by God's action. In fact, the attitudes indicated by the Beatitudes not only point a sure way towards fulfilment and charity, but also lead directly to the Person of Christ who came so that men and women not only might have life but have it to the full. - END -