19 Feb
Tue 		1st Week of Lent
Is. 55:10-11
Ps. 33:4-7,16-19
Mt. 6:7-15
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"So also will the word that I speak - it will not fail to do what I plan for it, it will do everything I sent it out to do" (Is. 55:11). These poignant words bring us back to the beginning of creation where God spoke and the world became - the power of words! Children of God, made in God's very own image, shall we not then be more careful with the words that we speak? Do we want our words to be like the snow and the rain that come down from heaven to water the earth and make things grow or do we carelessly allow them to become wildfire that destroys and destructs?

In the Gospel reading we are instructed not to use a lot of meaningless words when we pray. Rather, pray with the simplicity and sincerity of a child.

A loving child - who wants nothing else than to do the father's will so that he can bring great pleasure to the father; A dependent child - who relies totally on the goodness and bounty of the father to meet all his daily needs; A tender child - who looks at the father and trusts in His mercy and compassion to forgive should his child err and after that become truly sorry for his sins; A vulnerable child - who knows that he has need of his good and strong father to keep him safe from all danger and to deliver him from all evil.

"God is my truly good and loving Father and I am His beloved child" . This then should be my attitude in prayer.


Good and loving Father, I thank You that You are my Father and I am Your child.

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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.
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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.

Suffering in any form has a supernatural value. It becomes an efficacious moment for our own and other people's sanctification. This has been the teaching of the Church throughout history bearing in mind the grace of Redemption obtained for us by the Lord on the Cross in Calvary. The Lord's missionary mandate to preach the gospel includes the dual concept "evangelisation and care for the sick".

Convinced of this missionary goal and called on to be visible signs of the mercy and charity of Jesus, Catholic Hospitals are urged to give special evangelical witness by loving works and actions, the Church's solicitude for those who suffer. Hence, Catholic Hospitals are to promote initiatives and actions in favour of life and that the entire hospital health care system be imbued with the culture of enhancing life through generous love and dedicated service.

An essential characteristic of Catholic Hospitals is that its treatment of physical suffering must reflect the mark of the Holy Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, understanding of others, fidelity, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22).



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