Shalom

18 Jan Fri	1st Week in Ordinary Time
	1 Sam. 8:4-7,10-22a Ps. 89:16-17,18-19 Mk. 2:1-12

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The text in Samuel shows us both the pride and stubbornness of man. In our pride we often think we know what is best for ourselves and we stubbornly cling on to this attitude, rejecting true wisdom and the prompting of the Holy Spirit that come to us through different channels.

A paralytic cannot move on his own however conscious he is of his deplorable and needy condition. So too with one whose mind and will are paralysed. Is there then hope for a person such as this? Yes! The Gospel text shows us that such a person too can be forgiven and set free on account of the "stretcher carriers" - people of faith who love and care enough and are willing to persevere. Here too, we are given a glimpse of a wonderful and compassionate God. Jesus saw the faith of the friends and moved by their concern and love forgave the paralytic of his sins and healed him of his condition.

Do we, as Christians, sometimes find ourselves stuck in some deplorable situation, unable to experience either healing or deliverance? It would be good or wise at such times or moments to ask for God's light and to search our conscience - are we in anyway held or tied down by sin? If so, let us realise, that a spirit of repentance is necessary for the salvation or wholeness of being, that it is a pre-requisite to walking in freedom.

Lord Jesus, keep us righteous before You so that we can walk in freedom of body, mind and spirit.

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 Christians may intensify their efforts to announce together Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world.
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 Christians may intensify their efforts to announce together Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world.
In the Apostolic Letter At the Beginning of the New Millennium Pope John Paul II looks towards the future and exhorts the members of the Church not to be afraid to leave the coastal waters "where there is nothing to fish" and move into deep waters. If we are prepared to do this, our catch will be abundant. The Pope particularly exhorts Christ's disciples to intensify their efforts to bring greater unity in the Christian Community. The invocation "Launch out into the deep" is a binding imperative, the strength that sustains us, and a salutary rebuke for our slowness and closed-heartedness. It is on Jesus' prayer and not on our own strength that we base the hope that even within history we shall be able to reach full and visible communion with all Christians. Our trust that we may succeed in attaining the full and visible communion of all Christians, "rests on Jesus' prayer, not on our own capacity". The Lord calls us to unity and will not fail to pour forth His grace on us. But in this context also, as in all our relations with God's salvific grace, we too must do our share. God does not save us against our will; God does not save us if we do not collaborate towards our salvation.
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