Shalom

3 May Thu	Ss Philip & James, Apostles
	1 Cor. 15:1-8 Ps. 18:2-3, 4-5 Jn. 14:6-14

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James is traditionally, writer of an Epistle and leader in the Church at Jerusalem. Paul reminds us in the passage from Corinthians that his message is that of the Apostles. Our faith today is still based on their witnessing to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This belief leads us to the Father, for He came to lead us to the Father. The failure to understand this is to fail to have known Christ.

Philip, for his part, appears in the Gospel as someone who brings other people to Jesus, as he brought Nathaniel (Jn. 1:45) and some Greeks (Jn. 12:21). Jesus' question to Philip about the feeding of the crowd that came to hear Him (Jn. 6:5) suggests that he recognized this concern of Philip for other people. His answer to Philip's question in Jn. 14:6-14, however, sums up the heart of our Christian faith: God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God. Through Him we therefore have great power to continue His mission of healing in this world.

Lord, help us to bring others to You.

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

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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 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.
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