29May
Tue
7th Week of Easter
Acts 20:17-27
Ps. 68:9-10, 19-20;
Jn. 17:1-11a
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Paul's attachment to Jesus was the great passion of his life. His relationship with his Lord drew everything from him in terms of service and commitment. We could say of him what was said of his Master, that 'for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross despising the shame of it'. His only concern is that when he meets Jesus face to face he will have finished the work that was given him to do. The good servant looks forward to the 'well done' of his Master. At the end of his life, looking back on his mission, Paul could pray with the psalmist, 'You poured down, O God, a generous rain. When your people were starved you gave them new life. It was there [in the Church] that your people found a home, prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor'.

Today's Gospel begins the priestly prayer of Jesus at the end of His earthly mission. He has finished the work given Him by the Father. All that remains is for Him to glorify the Father by His surrender to martyrdom in love, and for the Father to glorify the Son in the resurrection. As we read this Gospel passage in the light of Acts 20 we see how closely Paul resembled his Master. Jesus thanks the Father for the gift of disciples who will continue His mission. He passed on the name 'Abba' to them, and gave them His life-giving Word to feed the starving millions of the world.



Lord, help me to imitate You as Paul did and live my life glorifying 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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