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The Holy Spirit is at work through all the breaks in the spiritual life. The Holy Spirit fills us with joy in the truth of the Gospel and grants us peace and contentment. At other times, our faith or hope may be challenged by the circumstances of life. At such times it is important to realize that the Holy Spirit is still there, ready to guide us when we open our hearts. The same is true of the whole community. In today's reading from Acts, we see how the early Christians responded to the disaster of persecution. Being scattered became an opportunity to preach the Gospel. When the Church in Europe was persecuted under communism, Catholics found ways to be faithful and even to evangelize, even though on occasion that brought even greater persecution.
Once European communism collapsed and its terror had almost entirely disappeared, the Church faced another terrible scourge: that of sexual abuse in the Churches of Europe and North America. If we believe in the Holy Spirit and have the same faith and courage as the early Christians, we will learn how to turn this scandal into an evangelical opportunity.
Holy Spirit, guide us in all our efforts to be faithful to the Gospel and to continue the evangelical mission of Jesus in face of all that threatens the holiness of the Church.
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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 Christians, even in the difficult and complex situations of present day society, may not tire of proclaiming with their lives that Christ's resurrection is the source of hope and of peace.
Elaboration
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