6 Jan Sat Weekday of Christmas 1 Jn. 5:5-13 Ps. 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 Mk. 1:7-11 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        In the books of the Old Testament, the outpouring of the Spirit of Yahweh upon an individual was seen as a preparation for a specific mission that the individual had been called to undertake for Yahweh. Mark makes use of this Old Testament tradition to indicate that Jesus is the Anointed One of Yahweh long promised to Israel. Mark presents Jesus as being publicly anointed as the beloved son of Yahweh during His baptism. From here onwards Jesus begins His mission to manifest to us what it means to be called children of Yahweh.     During the season of Christmas we rekindle the mystery of the incarnation. We are called to remember that Jesus embraced humanity not only two thousand years ago but today in the lives of all those who believe in Him. We too are reminded that during our baptism we have received the Spirit of Jesus. We too have been anointed to undertake a particular mission. We must constantly ask ourselves, what is God calling us to do today, tomorrow and everyday?      Lord, help me to know and carry out the mission for which You have anointed me. Amen. DAILY OFFERING 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. PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH INTENTION That Christians may favour the evangelisation of the new generations through the constant search for the unity wanted by Christ. Elaboration
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That Christians may favour the evangelisation of the new generations through the constant search for the unity wanted by Christ. 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. - END -