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John's Gospel sets out to proclaim that the Word of God which is the basis of the life of the world could and did become man. In other words, John declares that Jesus is the Son of God, one who is the human expression of the creative purpose of God and the saving purpose of God. So today's passage from Chapter 1:29-34 narrates how John the Baptist witnesses to Jesus as firstly "... the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world" (v. 29), that is as the expected deliverer, as foretold in Isaiah's 'Suffering Servant'. Then He is one who "existed before me" (v. 30), acknowledging the existence of Jesus from preCreation - "the world was made flesh" (v. 14), with His unique unbroken relationship with the Father and the Spirit: "One who is going to baptise with the Spirit" (v. 34). In 1 John, we are reminded that this relationship between Father and Son is also our portion of God's love. God has called us to be His children, because of His great love for us. This may be difficult to understand now in this life, but we are promised clarity of perception when we face God eventually and become like Him. However, if we live in this hope, we have to be sensitive to the difference between right and wrong, and constantly to choose purity, because He is sinless and came to abolish the reign of sin in us. Lord, give us the grace to await the salvation of the Lord with purity of mind and heart. Amen. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That Christians may favour the evangelisation of the new generations through the constant search for the unity wanted by Christ.
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The question of full Christian unity and evangelisation led to the beginnings of the ecumenical movement. The Holy Father decries the negative consequences of division among Christians and calls them to search for full Christian Unity as inspired by the Lord's Prayer. As evangelisers we must offer Christ's faithful an image of people who are mature in faith and capable of finding a meeting point beyond all tensions. The destiny of evangelisation is bound up with the witness of unity given to the Church. The urgency of preaching and displaying unity to the world arises from the fact that Christians can impair the vitality of proclaiming the Gospel and even become a scandal to the world, particularly when the churches appear to proclaim "a kingdom against itself". It is clear that the proclamation of the Gospel by divided Christians becomes counter- itness. As Christians we ought to give collaborative common witness which is founded in the common baptism in Christ and faith in the Triune God. Pray for the courage to work positively with other Christians for the purpose of promoting evangelisation. | |
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