25 May
Fri 		6th Week of Easter
Acts 18:9-18
Ps. 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Jn. 16:20-23
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There are different forms of joy and peace, each with its own special importance. Earlier in the Last Supper (Jn. 14:27), Jesus speaks of two kinds of peace. He contrasts the peace that He will give with the peace which the world gives. He does not deny that the world can give a certain kind of peace. Rather He seeks to teach our hearts to seek for another and greater peace, that peace which only He can give. We would be foolish not to long for the peace that the world can give. For God has called us to be peacemakers: "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Mt. 5:9). Our foolishness would consist in thinking that this human peace was the fullness of peace itself.

Similarly Jesus speaks of two different kinds of joy. A certain joy comes after the passing of suffering, as in the case of a mother giving birth. After the resurrection, the disciples will indeed experience this joy. Jesus, however, seems to hint that the special characteristic of resurrection joy will lie in the fact that He will see them. This is a joy that comes from Jesus' presence. Even where there is no great suffering leading to a certain joyful relief, there is the deeper joy of being with Jesus, the joy of His presence.


Lord Jesus, grant us Your peace and joy.

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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