24 Feb
Sun
2nd Sunday of Lent (A)
Gen. 12:1-4a
Ps. 32:4-5,18-19,20,22; 2 Tim. 1:8b-10
Mt. 17:1-9
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What holds us back in life? Fear - especially the fear of losing what we have. God asked Abraham to leave behind everything that gave him security and strike out into the unknown. In exchange for this absolute trust, God would bless him and make him a source of blessings for the nations of the earth. Since Abraham trusted God, he became our father in faith. God wants to bless us in so many ways, but we prevent it by our lack of trust and our fear. If we would but trust the promises and the loving kindness of our God, we too would be blessed in so many ways. Trust and faith are names for the door we open to the power of God. God has many things in store for us.

Jesus was transfigured in the presence of some of His apostles. His divinity shone forth. And in a similar fashion, we are transfigured by the glory and love of Christ. The more we humble ourselves before God and deepen our relationship with the Master, the brighter the light that shines forth from us. God is not finished with us. We are His work of art. Let us place ourselves in His care and ask that it be done to us according to His will.



Lord, may Your light and glory shine forth from my soul.

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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