Shalom

13Sep Thu	23rd Week in Ordinary Time
	Col. 3:12-17 Ps. 150:1-6 Lk. 6:27-38

How To Pray With Shalom

Home Page of Shalom

Index of This Month

The overall message that both readings present to us today is that of "Compassion and forgiveness" especially "love of enemies". Jesus demands a deep form of active love for one's enemies. It is an active concern expressed in deeds of love. This form of merciful love is further concretized in what is said in Lk. 6:27-28: "doing good to those who hate, blessing those who curse and praying for those who abuse"

The Gospel reading continues to remind us of the 'Golden Rule' which is based on reciprocal relationship (v 31). What Jesus demands of His disciples is beyond this 'Golden Rule' for love is to be given without counting the cost. A witnessing Christian is one who has selfless, passionate and universal love which is motivated by a pure love of God and others.

Why do we have to love our enemies? In Lk. 6:36, we know that we have 'to be merciful as our father is merciful.' Similarly in the Old Testament, the image of a merciful God is presented as in Ex. 34:6; Dt. 4:31; Joel 2:!3; Ps. 103:8 and Sir. 4:10. Mercy is precisely what we have received from God as sinners and hence such ought to be our attitude towards all especially our enemies. This is indeed an on-going struggle challenging us to love beyond race, creed, social status etc. These values are contrary to the world's values which promote selfishness, individualism, revenge, violence even racism.

Lord, grant us the grace we need to overcome what is preventing us from loving others unconditionally.

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 the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves 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 the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.
"Lord Jesus, you have made these young people your friends; keep them for ever close to you! Amen." This closing prayer of John Paul II at the Mass in Korazim in the Holy Land last year indicates the deep concern he has for the youth of the third millennium. At the Mount of Beatitudes, the Holy Father looked down on the assembled youth and said, "How may generations before us have been deeply moved by the Sermon on the Mount! How many young people down the centuries have gathered around Jesus to learn the words of eternal life, as you are gathered here today! It is wonderful that you are here!" The ideal the Holy Father proposes to the youth of today is that they look at Jesus, who embodies the Beatitudes. They will see what it means to be poor in spirit, gentle and merciful, to mourn, to care for what is right, to be pure in heart, to make peace, to be persecuted. He challenges them to go out into the world and preach the message of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes which speak of truth and goodness, and grace and freedom: of all that is necessary to enter Christ's Kingdom. Now it is their turn to be courageous apostles of that kingdom.
- END -