Shalom

7 May Mon	4th Week of Easter
	Acts 11:1-18 Ps. 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Jn. 10:1-10

How To Pray With Shalom

Home Page of Shalom

Index of This Month

Reading the Acts of the Apostles chapter 10 alongside with the first reading of today (Acts 11), one realises the deep significance of the conversion of Cornelius, a man whose very name denoted Roman connections. Luke, the author of the Acts, narrates repeatedly, from both the Jew and Gentile viewpoints, the incidents leading to the conversion - the instances of God's intervention. The crux of the matter, as Peter explained to Cornelius' household, is "that God does not have favourites ... anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to Him" (Acts 10:35). God's purpose is made clear in Acts 10:44 ff and it was left to Peter to convince the strongly-prejudiced Jews that they could not afford to stand in God's way (Acts 11:17) when the Holy Spirit itself had come upon the Gentiles as it had on the Jews earlier.

Bearing this in mind, we notice Jesus' teaching about being "the gate of the sheepfold" (Jn. 10:7). His claim that "Anyone who enters through me will be safe; he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture" (v. 9). Again "I have come that they may have life to ... the full" (v. 10) explicitly refers to 'sheep' like Cornelius who possessed all the virtues of a good Jew, that is he recognised the 'shepherd' and was prepared to follow Him.

Lord, the Resurrected Christ, help us to recognise and go through "the gate of the sheepfold" always and not be led astray by "thieves and brigands". Amen

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 -