Shalom

16 Mar Fri	4th Week of Lent
	Wis. 2:1a, 12-22 Ps. 34:17-18,19-20, 21, 23 Jn. 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

How To Pray With Shalom

Home Page of Shalom

Index of This Month

"Different are his ways". How often is difference between human beings used as an excuse for injustice and prejudice! The question is frequently asked whether children are spontaneously aware of differences that assume such importance for adults. It seems more likely that the prejudices of adults teach them to recognize these differences and to assume the prejudices of society. In facing differences, we may well need to remember that Jesus said we have to become like little children before we can enter the kingdom of heaven.

If only we could all realize that differences are to be celebrated, not exploited in injustice! Adopting such an attitude is not easy. The Book of Wisdom would warn us that such an accepting attitude will make us "obnoxious" and set us against the doings of the world. We will become a censure of the thoughts of so many people around us. Adopting a fully accepting attitude towards those who are different will bring a condemnation: "His life is not like other men's, and different are his ways". To take sides with the marginalized and oppressed will almost inevitably mean that one becomes marginalized and oppressed too.

Father in heaven, give us the courage to stand with Your Son, rejected and oppressed like so many of our brothers and sisters.

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
For the ecclesial organisations and groups engaged in social action, that in their testimony they may proclaim strongly and consistently the Gospel of Love.
Elaboration

- END -

P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H

INTENTION :	For the ecclesial organisations and groups engaged in social action, that in their testimony they may proclaim strongly and consistently the Gospel of Love.
It is the Church's desire that all social-charitable initiatives might always be inspired, in their implementation, by the immutable principles of the Gospel. There is danger, however, that professional organisations engaged in the social field risk losing the fundamental motivation for their existence: that is bearing witness to Christ's charity which the Church has the duty to communicate and to share with others. In order to be effective, then, continual spiritual formation is needed for voluntary co-operators who wish to devote themselves to social action. All these initiatives tend to develop the awareness that the foundation and centre of our action is Christ, in whom the God of love revealed himself and gave himself to men and women. Consequently all those who welcome Christ follow him and answer the call to be faithful witnesses to it. This awareness must totally imbue the hearts and minds of individuals so that it also inspires the Communities they set up for organised action in support of underprivileged persons and communities suffering from material and moral poverty. Being thus imbued and formed it becomes necessary that volunteers pray to draw Christ into their midst and have him accompany them.
- END -