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'Encourage one another daily while it is still "today".' Though Jesus lived some two thousand years ago, the New Testament never thought of Jesus as belonging to the past: there is always a deep sense that Jesus is with us "today", and every "today" of our lives.
At Christmas we have celebrated the mystery of Emmanuel, "God with us". Before ascending into heaven, Jesus once more made the promise inherent in the name Emmanuel: "I shall be with you all days, until the end of the world" (Mt 28:20). The New Testament Letters bear witness to a strong sense of the presence of the Risen Jesus with the Church in its spread throughout the world and its continued existence throughout the ages.
St Ignatius encourages us to live in the present moment, for this is where God speaks to us. By living in the present moment we learn to enjoy the "rest" which was denied to the desert generations: we learn to enjoy this rest "today". Jesus is present with us in the Church through the mystery of the Eucharist and the guidance of the Spirit. Because of this presence of Jesus, we can be free of the burdens of the past and be more confident and courageous in facing the uncertainties of the future.
Lord Jesus, help us to open our hearts to Your presence, today and every day.
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DAILY OFFERING
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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.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That those working in the Middle-East, may intensify their efforts for peace.
Elaboration
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