7 Aug
Tue 		18th Week in Ordinary Time
Num. 12:1-13
Ps. 50:3-7, 12-13
Mt. 14:22-36
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"A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, or deprive me of your Holy Spirit." So says Psalm 50 which today reminds us of the need for purity of heart.

Moses was accused by his own sister, Miriam and brother, Aaron of sullying the purity of their race, and he suffered silently - "the most humble of men, the humblest man on earth" (Num. 12:3). God however, vindicated his honour, and significantly, chose to punish Miriam with leprosy, a form of spiritual as well as physical cleansing, for her proud complaints. It took Aaron's plea for mercy, topped by Moses' appeal, and the subsequent exile of seven days spent outside the camp for the sin to be forgiven and for their purity of heart to be restored in them.

Pride in refusing to accept God's choice of Moses as his spokeman, pride in refusing to trust in God's ways led to Miriam and Aaron's downfall. This same inability to trust in Jesus' invitation to walk across the water to him led to Peter's sinking into the lake. Again this loss of trust and faith, of purity of heart, had to be reversed by a confession, "Lord, save me" - a confession of one's humble need for God and a plea for mercy. This was followed by a resounding avowal, not only from Peter but by all the men in the boat, "Truly, you are the Son of God." (Mt. 14:33).


Let not pride rule my heart but You, O Lord.

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
The awareness that only God is the master of human life may orientate the decisions of the legislators and leaders of nations
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : The awareness that only God is the master of human life may orientate the decisions of the legislators and leaders of nations

Evidence shows with increasing clarity how policies and laws opposed to life are causing societies to decline morally, demographically and economically. The encyclical Evangelium Vitae makes the urgent appeal "that we offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilisation of truth and love".

Thus there is no reason for a defeatist mentality which claims that laws opposed to the right of life are inevitable. On the contrary, they are a seed of corruption for society and its foundations. The civil and moral conscience cannot accept this false inevitability. The relationship between the civil and moral law deserves great attention because of the growing importance they are destined to have in the restoration of social life.

Lawmakers are asked to renew their commitment to change unjust laws that legitimise or tolerate such violence. The changing of laws must be preceded and accompanied by the changing of mentalities and morals on a vast scale. The Church cannot spare any effort nor can she accept negligence or guilty silence.



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