18 Feb
Mon
1st Week of Lent
Lev. 19:1-2,11-18
Ps. 18:8-10
Mt. 25:31-46
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"What so ever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me". This is the refrain of a popular hymn that I grew up with. I knew it as a child and it was only later that I knew its context in the passage from Matthew's Gospel. There could not be a more fitting gospel passage as we begin our Lenten season. For, Lent used to be a time when we were more concerned about fasting and giving things up than about almsgiving and doing good deeds. In recent years the Church has focused more on asking the question "What can I do during Lent?", while still retaining a focus on fasting.

In today's passage from Matthew 25, Jesus is focusing on 'doing' and, more than that, He singles out those whom we are to help with food, drink, welcome, clothing, care giving and visiting. They are today, just as during Jesus' time, the same people in our society who are most easily forgotten: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison. This is a tall order and we need to begin by praying for the grace to see Jesus in the faces of those who are most easily forgotten. Perhaps then, we will also be given the grace of action, in order that we may fulfil the most basic Christian work of service to the poor. It is consoling to remember that Jesus is singing that refrain for us and with us.



Jesus, help us to see you in every face and especially in those we most easily overlook.

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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.
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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.

Suffering in any form has a supernatural value. It becomes an efficacious moment for our own and other people's sanctification. This has been the teaching of the Church throughout history bearing in mind the grace of Redemption obtained for us by the Lord on the Cross in Calvary. The Lord's missionary mandate to preach the gospel includes the dual concept "evangelisation and care for the sick".

Convinced of this missionary goal and called on to be visible signs of the mercy and charity of Jesus, Catholic Hospitals are urged to give special evangelical witness by loving works and actions, the Church's solicitude for those who suffer. Hence, Catholic Hospitals are to promote initiatives and actions in favour of life and that the entire hospital health care system be imbued with the culture of enhancing life through generous love and dedicated service.

An essential characteristic of Catholic Hospitals is that its treatment of physical suffering must reflect the mark of the Holy Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, understanding of others, fidelity, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22).




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