11 Aug
Sat 		18th Week in Ordinary Time
Dt. 6:4-13
Ps. 18:1-3, 46, 50
Mt. 17:14-20
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"If you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Go from here to there' and it will go. You could do anything."

The image of moving mountains is a hyperbolic figure for doing the impossible (cf. Is. 54:10 and 1 Cor. 13:2). Faith, even the size of a mustard seed, will be enough to produce marvellous deeds. Such were the instructions of Jesus to His disciples on the power of trusting faith. The miraculous healing and what Jesus said on faith highlight what the disciples were able to do in Jesus' absence. This is what happened to the church after Jesus' death and resurrection. Do we have such faith, especially when we are confronted with situations which seem hopeless?

The same image/message is revealed in the reading taken from the Book of Deuteronomy which speaks strongly of absolute obedience and devotion to the will of God. This steadfast love for God refers to the call to a covenantal fidelity. The reading also advocates that the laws of love must be taught to all children and that this be the object of all involvement (Ps. 1:2).

Do all our families plan and work towards this type of faith in our loving Father in heaven? Are our children and ourselves being formed and nurtured in this manner?


Lord, grant me faith, even the size of a mustard seed so that my whole being belongs to You and You alone.

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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