1 Jul
Sun 		13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
1 Kgs. 19:16, 19-21
Ps. 16:1-2a, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Gal. 5:1, 13-18
Lk. 9:51-62
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There are some people who find a contradiction between freedom and commitment. To be committed is to bind oneself to someone or something. To be free is to have no commitments, to do just what one likes. But that is not the way the Gospel sees it or St Paul writing to the Galatians. Jesus throws a challenge to us today and asks us to see that following Him, who is the Way, is the real path to freedom. Because to follow Jesus is to become the kind of person that we are meant to be - a person passionate about truth, about justice, about taking care of others in need. Real freedom is to be able to be that kind of person. In the Gospel we see three people who were not yet ready, who were not yet free to say an unconditional Yes to Jesus' call. Jesus is calling me today. How am I going to answer Him?


Father, You call us to walk in the Light that is Christ. Liberate us from darkness that we may follow Your Son in total freedom.

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 the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ

Abraham and Mary received a wonderful promise from God. For both Abraham and Mary, the divine promise came as something completely unexpected. God disrupted the daily course of their lives, overturning its settled rhythms and conventional expectations. The promise seemed impossible. We must learn to walk in darkness.

Modelling ourselves on Mary, we ask her to help us look at and to listen to, to ponder and to penetrate the deep and mysterious meaning of the very simple, very humble and very beautiful appearing of the Son of God. We pray for a great renewal of faith in all the children of the Church everywhere to preach the good news to the poor. We ask her to teach us the way of humble and joyful obedience to the Gospel in the service of our brothers and sisters, without preferences and without prejudices. A deep renewal that is not just reflected in a general attitude to life, but as a conscious and courageous profession of the Creed. We ask the Holy Family to inspire all Christians to defend the family against so many present-day threats to its nature, its stability and its mission. We pray the efforts of Christians and of all people of good will to defend life and to promote respect for the dignity of every human being.



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