25 Jan Thu Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle Act 22:3-16 or Act 9:1-22 Ps. 117:1, 2 Mk. 16:15-18 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        In Acts 22, Paul tells us that Rabbi Gamaliel was his teacher. Though this fact is not recorded elsewhere, it may give us a little insight into Paul's character and the inner tension in his heart that made him susceptible to grace. Paul tells us that he "was educated strictly in the laws of our fathers", and elsewhere, he lets us see that he tended towards a strict Pharisaism,. We know, however, that Gamaliel had a gentle and liberal spirit and tended towards a greater openness of heart. It was Gamaliel who intervened at the trial of Peter and John, urging tolerance for them and their work. Perhaps this difference set up a tension in Paul's heart: he naturally tended to be stricter but his teacher tended towards tolerance. Respect for his teacher would have drawn him to attitudes contrary to his own natural inclinations. It was only in Christ that the tension could be resolved. In Christ we can be both strict and tolerant. We can be strict in refusing to compromise the truth. We can be tolerant in keeping an open heart, willing to understand and sympathize with those who are weak. We can learn, with Paul, to be "all things to all people".      Lord Jesus You are gentle of heart. Teach us Your gentleness and tolerance. 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 -