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Contrary to popular belief, love is not blind. Indeed, there is nothing
more clear-sighted than love. Encountering God in love, we begin to see
the awesome might and power of God. And inevitably, we begin also to
see ourselves more clearly, begin to see our weakness and unworthiness
before God. Our God- experience lays bare our inner selves, and we catch
glimpses of the selfishness that often motivates even our seemingly
charitable deeds. Faced with this truth, we are tempted to turn away in
sorrow, shame and sadness. What a wretched state I am in! Leave me,
Lord... But love draws us ever more deeply into the truth. We find ourselves invited to lift our eyes from ourselves, and once again to God. Especially, Christ beckons us to look deep into His eyes, to see therein the love that embraces, strengthens and purifies. Your sin is taken away...Do not be afraid... Through the eyes of Christ, we are drawn then to gaze upon the rest of humanity and its dire need for God. To the hungry of the Third World, to the materially rich but spiritually poor, to suffering AIDS patients, oppressed migrants and refugees, to the lonely and neglected...Whom shall I send? And with the compassion and purpose born of love, we respond... Lord, here I am, send me. |
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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 : |
That children will never again be obliged to participate in
any war, but may be freed from hatred and violence and may live, as
children should, enjoying friendship in their family, school and society.
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The international community is increasingly recognising the
vulnerability of displaced children in refugee camps. They are at particular risk
of being exploited by armed groups. As recruited soldiers children
suffer disproportionately from the general rigours of military life.
Younger children may have deformed backs and shoulders, the result of
carrying loads too heavy for them. Malnutrition, respiratory and skin
infections and other ailments are frequent, as are sexually transmitted
diseases, including AIDS. The use of child soldiers also has repercussion on other children who remain in the conflict area. The risk, is that children will be killed, detained interrogated, or subject to pre-emptive recruitment. We must not close our eyes to the fact that child soldiers are not victims and perpetrators. No matter what the child is guilty of, the main responsibility lies with us, the adults. To stop this abuse, no child under 18 should be recruited for or participate in war. There is simply no excuse, no acceptable argument for arming children. | |
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