|
|
||||||
|
The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the 'living God' who manifests Himself in His works (Jer. 10:10) and in Christ Himself. And we are called to participate in and share the common destiny of entering into the heavenly Kingdom so as to be in close communion with God. This realization of the Kingdom is revealed in the cleansing of the leper by Christ. Jesus touched the leper, one of those who considered untouchable by society thereby risking ritual defilement himself. His touch and His word brought cleansing to the leper. In this event, He actualized the Kingdom that He preached. This Kingdom embraces all persons especially the outcasts and breaks down barriers and offers wholeness and fellowship to all. Jesus restored the dignity of the leper, an outcast, thereby enabling him to be reintegrated into the community. Lepers were not accepted by Jewish religion and society. Today, those who break down the barriers and walls of separation in society are those who proclaim the Kingdom. Hence, all who struggle to bring about fellowship and integration of persons in any form are continuing the ministry of Jesus. Such actions correspond to the outburst of the "Good News" received by the leper in his 'preaching of the Good News' Lord help us to break down barriers, prejudices and biases so as to proclaim Your Kingdom here on earth. |
|
- 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 - | |