16 Jul
Mon 		Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Zech. 2:14-17
(R.Ps.) Lk. 46-55
Mt. 12:46-50
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Mount Carmel looks down on the plains of Galilee and is not far from Nazareth, the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. From this mountain the prophet Elijah had proclaimed the faith of Israel (1 Kgs. 18:19ff). Later hermits settled in caves on the mountain and later still formed a religious community now known as the Carmelites. The readings emphasise the close union of Mary with God, exemplified by her total acceptance of God's call and her fidelity to it to the very end. The words of the prophet Zechariah are altogether suitable, "Daughter of Zion, I am coming to dwell in the middle of you" And in the Gospel Jesus indicates that His true brothers and sisters are not those related to Him by blood but those who do what the Father of Jesus wants. Mary was filled with the Spirit of God and was totally faithful to God's will in staying close to her Son even in His darkest hour, a terribly painful moment for her also.


Lord Jesus, we ask You to help us accept the will of God in our lives and through the prayers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, may we remain faithful in following You to the very end.

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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