|
|
||||||
|
The central message which shapes all St Paul's teaching is that followers of Christ are free-born children of the Father. Having shown from the example of Abraham that only through faith do we enter into right relationship with God, Paul now stresses this teaching by an analogy drawn from the life of Abraham. His two children represent the two approaches Paul has been discussing - the child of the slave, born according to the flesh, represents the spirit of bondage to the Law, while the child of the free woman represents the free gift of God. To return to slavish dependence on Law after believing in Christ would be to revert to a state of slavery. In the time of our Lord, no less than in our own day, there was a great 'seeking for signs'. And Jesus criticises this tendency. The 'sign of Jonah' can have one or other of two meanings. (1) As Jonah had been a warning of ruin to the people of Nineveh, so Jesus will be a sign to those who reject Him. (2) As Jonah had pointed out to the people the way of salvation, so Jesus has shown it to His contemporaries; but they, less generous than the Ninevites, have failed to follow it. Lord, You are my salvation, teach me Your ways. |
|
- END -
P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
| INTENTION : |
That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families
|
|
The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). | |
|
- END - | |