Shalom

1 May Tue	St Joseph, the Worker
	Gen. 1:26-2:3 or Col. 3:14-15, 17, 23-24 Ps. 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14, 16 Mt. 13:54-58

How To Pray With Shalom

Home Page of Shalom

Index of This Month

Often it is difficult to take those we know seriously. Perhaps we have known our friends from the time we were children. It is hard to accept them as doctors, lawyers, and leaders. Our parents may remember us as we were when we were small. Jesus seems to be having a similar problem, for the people in His hometown just can't take Him seriously as a holy man of God and wisdom figure. Because of their doubt, the power of Jesus is hindered. God does indeed work through quite ordinary people, even those most familiar to us. Perhaps God even works wonders.

Do we recognize the presence of God, or does familiarity blind us? God might even be using us as an instrument - perhaps we don't take ourselves seriously? A person's appearance, station in life, class, education, and so forth, mean nothing to God. As the writer of Colossians tells us, those who cloak themselves with love, doing everything from the heart and serving others, are the ones upon whom God's spirit rests. Let us open our minds and hearts to the presence of God in others and in ourselves.

Lord, teach me to see Your presence and power in others.

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 refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to
Elaboration

- END -

P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H

INTENTION :	That refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to
The responsibility for many political decisions leading to war rests predominantly with men. Consequently, while men get wounded or die, women and children become refugees exposed to assault, rape or loss of children. The ones who suffer most in these conflicts are the weakest who get uprooted and are forced to flee. This is not the way humanity is supposed to live. Like all refugees women and girls face problems of various kinds and need the following: protection against forced return to their countries of origin; security against armed attacks and other forms of violence; protection from unjustified and unduly prolonged detention; a legal status that accords them adequate social, economic and legal rights; and access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. They also need protection against human rights abuses and the myriad problems they have to encounter to safeguard their dignity and personhood. We are asked to be in solidarity with them and pray that refugee women may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to.
- END -