22 Feb Thu Chair of St Peter 1 Pt. 5:1-4 Ps. 23:1-6 Mt. 16:13-19 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        A Christian leader writing to a congregation facing great struggles is deeply aware of the heavy responsibility he carries to work for harmony in the whole flock. This responsibility lies at the heart of today's feast which celebrates God's gift to the Church. God is offering a centre of unity and harmony in the office of Peter. Today, our prayers can be intensely focussed on the need for a creative attention to facing and solving the problems that still stand in the way of full re-union. "Who, for you is Jesus Christ?" remains a central question which every Christian must address in order to grow in faith and in understanding. Is Christ simply a figure from the past? A name encased in books? A robed figure in stained glass or in paintings? Or a living presence in life today? Only if Christ is for us a present reality can we say that our faith is authentic. Only if the Church represents Christ as the sacrament of the God who speaks to today is it living up to its mandate. Our prayers today are specially aware of the heavy responsibilities borne by the holder of Peter's office - to be, like the apostles, the one who can recognise Son of God alive in our world today, and to help His fellow Christians to a like recognition.           Lord bless our Pope John-Paul II. 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 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. Elaboration
- END - 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. 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. - END -