13Jun
Thu 		10th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs. 18:41-46
Ps. 65:10-11,12-13
Mt. 5:20-26
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Today, we are challenged to reflect deeper on Jesus' teaching on radical morality, that is, to avoid the act of murder is not enough because anger itself is the root of murder. Matthew in presenting Jesus' teaching saw 'anger' as sinful as murder itself.

The two illustrations that follow teach the necessity of giving up anger and of being reconciled to others. Reconciliation is indeed part of the 'brotherly love' we are called to live. Fraternal reconciliation should take precedence over sacrifice and acts of worship (Mt. 5:23-24). This also means that we cannot be relating to God in prayer, worship and love if we are not also relating to others in love. The second illustration in Mt. 5:25-26 emphasizes the urgency of reconciliation and Jesus' urgent call to it which is so much needed in the present world we live in, where there is so much hatred, conflict and wars.

Similarly in the first reading, we see how Baal worship, as a form of sin, had been struck a devastating blow in the promise of rain. The call of repentance and reconciliation is illustrated by the dramatic scene - with Elijah running before the king which served as a powerful appeal to Ahab to break once for all with Baal and to rule as servant of the Lord. This reiterates the call to total reconciliation and union with the Lord.


Lord, grant us the grace to be able to transcend all forms of emotion that will prevent us from being reconciled with You and our brothers and sisters in love.

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 leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.
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 the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.

While respecting others' beliefs, all religions are called on to form a spiritual United Nations under the common denominator of belief in God who unites us all. We as believers are asked to place our particular faith at the service of the common human good.

This religious goal of humanism should manifest itself in healthy co-operation and not mere coexistence among all the men and women in the world. The universal criterion for achieving a basic common denominator among all the religions is moving from instinctive and sentimental dimensions to social and spiritual ones. And the influence of religions on millions of people is so deep it can be said that without religious peace there cannot be world peace. "Religion and peace go together: unleashing a war in the name of religion is an obvious contradiction". (John Paul II).

Therefore, we must neutralise our disorderly inclinations: selfishness, pride, ambition, lust for money and power, self-sufficiency, a superiority complex. We cannot be at peace with ourselves if we are not at peace with God.



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