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In today's selection of the Book of Sirach* is a beautiful hymn to
'wisdom'. What is wisdom? It presupposes knowledge (of facts) and
understanding (of the meaning of facts), but it goes beyond both of them. It is
a love for the truth I know and understand. Thus the Wisdom of God, as
the reading says, instructs and admonishes "those who love and serve
Him". And they in turn become wise by the gift of God. They love Him and
His truth. Moreover, their wisdom is revealed in their actions. The
wise person is like the skilled artisan who can use his knowledge to
create a thing of beauty. The Gospel reading shows us Jesus, "the power and the wisdom of God", as St Paul says, expelling demons. His enemies claim He is using demonic power but this is self-contradictory. If He drives out demons by the power of Satan (Beelzebul), then the devil is working against himself which makes no sense. Jesus' works, however, are the sign and the fruit of His divine wisdom. They manifest clearly, to those who have eyes and heart to see, that God is truly with Him. In our own humble way each of us is called to live and love the truth proclaimed by Jesus - to show the world that His truth is, the way to freedom for the men and women of our twenty-first century. Lord, help us to live in truth always. |
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* The Book of Sirach was used so often in the early Church that it became known as Ecclesiasticus, ' the book of the Church'.
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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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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