19 May
Sat 		5th Week of Easter
Acts 16:1-10
Ps. 100:2, 3, 5;
Jn. 15:18-21
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

Paul, realising that he was not the Lord of the harvest, listened intently to the Spirit to guide him on his way. Only God knew what places were ready for the gospel, and Paul would learn this only from deep prayer and consequent sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit. Obviously Paul did not suffer from the nervousness of the later Church regarding visions and revelations! He seems to have accepted them as part of the normal Christian life. The people of Macedonia would cry out for joy that Paul obeyed the vision for, by the power and authority given him by Christ, he brought them 'to belong to him.' Afterwards they could declare to the world that '...he the Lord is God. He made us, we belong to Him. We are His people, the sheep of His flock. Indeed how good is the Lord ... faithful from age to age'.

The mystery of discipleship is such that while we bring joy, healing and new life to others, we ourselves suffer the same fate as the Master. Jesus passed on all His privileges to us, including that of suffering before entering into glory. Hence we are not to be surprised when we experience persecution, hatred, rejection and ultimate martyrdom, as countless thousands have done in every generation. How necessary then, that we truly know God deeply and intimately, that our union with Him will strengthen us for the battle.


Lord, help us to serve You with gladness.

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 refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to
Elaboration

- END -








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

INTENTION : That refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to

The responsibility for many political decisions leading to war rests predominantly with men. Consequently, while men get wounded or die, women and children become refugees exposed to assault, rape or loss of children. The ones who suffer most in these conflicts are the weakest who get uprooted and are forced to flee. This is not the way humanity is supposed to live.

Like all refugees women and girls face problems of various kinds and need the following: protection against forced return to their countries of origin; security against armed attacks and other forms of violence; protection from unjustified and unduly prolonged detention; a legal status that accords them adequate social, economic and legal rights; and access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. They also need protection against human rights abuses and the myriad problems they have to encounter to safeguard their dignity and personhood.

We are asked to be in solidarity with them and pray that refugee women may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to.



- END -