27Jun
Thu
12th Week in Ordinary Time
2 Kgs. 24:8-17
Ps. 79:1-2,3-5,8,9
Mt. 7:21-29
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Is God punishing the Israelites for their sinfulness by sending them into exile in Babylon? They thought so, but it is more likely that by their refusal to return to the ways of God, they pushed aside God's attempts to help them. God is not vindictive; God does not punish. We punish ourselves by our stubbornness and refusal to admit that we are wrong or that we are weak and need help. During the long Babylonian captivity, the people of God will learn patiently what it means to cling to God with all their heart, mind and soul. Perhaps we have experienced disasters in our lives, experiences that leave us reeling with shock. Everything has collapsed. Where is God? God is right there, in the midst of the chaos and pain, wanting very much to bless and heal us and to give us the strength to go on.

Talk is cheap and easy, and doesn't really mean much unless backed up by deeds. We may think that we are strong or spiritually advanced, but the test will come the first time we face adversity. We find out what we are really made of. Jesus warns us not to just talk about holiness and love, but to practise these things, for it is by so doing that we are changed and moulded into God's likeness. Love is expressed in deeds, and each day is filled with opportunities to do so.



Lord, may Your ways be ever in my heart and mind.

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 leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.
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 leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.

While respecting others' beliefs, all religions are called on to form a spiritual United Nations under the common denominator of belief in God who unites us all. We as believers are asked to place our particular faith at the service of the common human good.

This religious goal of humanism should manifest itself in healthy co-operation and not mere coexistence among all the men and women in the world. The universal criterion for achieving a basic common denominator among all the religions is moving from instinctive and sentimental dimensions to social and spiritual ones. And the influence of religions on millions of people is so deep it can be said that without religious peace there cannot be world peace. "Religion and peace go together: unleashing a war in the name of religion is an obvious contradiction". (John Paul II).

Therefore, we must neutralise our disorderly inclinations: selfishness, pride, ambition, lust for money and power, self-sufficiency, a superiority complex. We cannot be at peace with ourselves if we are not at peace with God.




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