Shalom

16 Apr Tue	3rd Week of Easter
	Acts 7:51-8:1a Ps. 31:3cd-4,6-,17,21ab Jn. 6:30-35

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The people are hungry for signs. They want things just for themselves. They wonder why Jesus does not give them things like the manna their forefathers had in the desert. They do not realise that in Jesus something far more important than material food is being given to them. This is the kind of food which is at the very heart of life. What is the use of material food or other material goods, if life is not worth living? If there is no joy, no freedom, no peace? 'Give us that bread all the time!' they ask. Then Jesus speaks directly: 'I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who puts all his trust in me will never thirst.' It is Jesus and His way of life which is the secret of a truly nourished life. When we see life as he does, then we can take everything in our stride. We know where we are going and how to get there. All the rest is secondary. Stephen, whose martyrdom is described in the first reading, had already grasped that. He was able to face his accusers and death with courage and peace. And, like his Master, he forgave them as he died under the hail of stones thrown in hate.

Lord, feed our deepest hunger with the Bread that only You can give.

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 in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world, the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of life and school of faith and right values
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 in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world, the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of life and school of faith and right values
The family as a domestic Church and cradle of life is the appropriate setting in which faith can increase. It is here that faith can be nourished through an attitude of appreciation of the treasure which parents are called on to transmit to their children through personal words and testimonies of life. This attitude must then be nourished with a sense of wonder and hope and it must be contemplated as Mary contemplated it in the face of the Word she received and the events of her life. This deep sense of faith helps parents and their children to fulfil the vocation received from God. Parents, teaching their children and bearing witness to the true sense of suffering and dying, lead the young to be more attentive to all forms of suffering. They, thus develop positive attitudes of assistance and sharing with others, especially with weaker people like the sick and the aged. This life of faith must be continually nourished through individual and family prayer. On the strength of this foundation the family becomes a place for training in justice, self-control, temperance, respect for the personal dignity of each individual and the service of the poor and needy.
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