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Though the word "call" only occurs once in today's Gospel [Jn 10:3], the Church has for over fifty years chosen this Sunday as a special day of prayer for priestly and religious vocations. We may see today's world-wide prayer for these vocations as a direct response to Jesus' command: "Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest." The word "call", especially in the full phrase of the Gospel "one by one he calls his own sheep", emphasizes that a vocation is from God and is very personal. The other side of the encounter is revealed in the words "hear", "know", "recognize" - the calling must be consciously discerned - the one who is called must listen carefully and attentively and must learn to know the one who is calling, to recognize his voice and so get to know him, so that one's response is not only to the "call" but is more importantly a personal response to the person who is calling, the "Good Shepherd", Jesus the Son of God.
Father in heaven, enlighten the hearts of many young people that they may hear the call of the Good Shepherd and, strengthened by the liberating gift of the Holy Spirit, may offer themselves in a deeply personal, responsible and loving way to the religious and priestly life.
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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 in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice, and peace.
Elaboration
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