9 Aug
Thu 		18th Week in Ordinary Time
Num. 20:1-13
Ps. 95:1-2, 6-9
Mt. 16:13-23
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While yesterday's readings focussed on two experiences of hopefulness, today's speak of different degrees of faith. The Israelites' faith is far from rocksteady. They seem to need constant reassurance that Yahweh is still on their side, so-to-speak. Some commentaries suggest that Moses' own frailty of faith is exposed in his way of carrying out the Lord's instructions. He doesn't seem to do things exactly as he was commanded.

In the Gospel, Peter's faith appears to be solid, granite-like. 'You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,' he announces clearly and confidently. Yet within the same passage, we hear Jesus rebuke him sternly. The one who had been praised as divinely inspired, is now accused of being a devil in disguise. A sobering passage from the Church built on such a foundation! No wonder we need to be reminded of the words of the Psalm: 'O that today you would listen to God's voice, harden not your hearts!'


Lord, help me to cling to You and treasure Your words in my heart.

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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