24 Jan
Thu 		2nd Week in Ordinary Time
St Francis de Sales, bishop & doctor
1 Sam. 18:6-9, 19:1-7
Ps. 55:2-3, 9-10ab, 10c-11, 12-13
Mk. 3:7-12
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"Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Can one really blame Saul for his jealousy? After all he is the king. On the other hand, is it right for him to ask Jonathan to kill David? Of course not, and Jonathan, a true friend of David's, warns David and talks to Saul in his regard. Saul listens saying, "As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death". It is important for us to acknowledge our good points but not to be upset because other people have even better ones.

In the Gospel reading Jesus is pressed in by a great multitude because He is becoming known as a healer. In reality though, it is the unclean spirits that recognise Him for who He really is saying, "You are the Son of God."


Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God. Help us to respond to You even in those who wish us harm.

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 Christians may intensify their efforts to announce together Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world.
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 Christians may intensify their efforts to announce together Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world.

In the Apostolic Letter At the Beginning of the New Millennium Pope John Paul II looks towards the future and exhorts the members of the Church not to be afraid to leave the coastal waters "where there is nothing to fish" and move into deep waters. If we are prepared to do this, our catch will be abundant. The Pope particularly exhorts Christ's disciples to intensify their efforts to bring greater unity in the Christian Community.

The invocation "Launch out into the deep" is a binding imperative, the strength that sustains us, and a salutary rebuke for our slowness and closed-heartedness. It is on Jesus' prayer and not on our own strength that we base the hope that even within history we shall be able to reach full and visible communion with all Christians.

Our trust that we may succeed in attaining the full and visible communion of all Christians, "rests on Jesus' prayer, not on our own capacity". The Lord calls us to unity and will not fail to pour forth His grace on us. But in this context also, as in all our relations with God's salvific grace, we too must do our share. God does not save us against our will; God does not save us if we do not collaborate towards our salvation.



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