Shalom

13 Mar Wed	4th Week of Lent
	Is. 49:8-15 Ps. 145:8-9,13cd-14,17-18 Jn. 5:17-30

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Isaiah's poem as in the first reading illustrates the situation when the exile was over and the dispersion of the Israelites, who were streaming out of the farthest dark corners back to their homeland. The assurance of God's protecting hands is so well reflected in the beautiful and consoling lines: "Does a woman forget her baby at the breast or fail to cherish the son of her womb?" It is said that this is one of the most touching expressions of divine love in the entire Bible.

This assurance is further reflected in the Gospel reading wherein we see the intimacy between God and Jesus. This union brings forth the complete dependence of Jesus on Father God in whatever He did or said since the Father is the source of life for Him. As believers of Christ, we too are called to enter into this union with Father God and Jesus. It is through this source of life that we learn to discern the will of God in our daily life.

Lord, give us grace to grow in intimacy with You so that we become Your true disciples.

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
For the ecclesial organisations and groups engaged in social action, that in their testimony they may proclaim strongly and consistently the Gospel of Love.
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 :	For the ecclesial organisations and groups engaged in social action, that in their testimony they may proclaim strongly and consistently the Gospel of Love.
It is the Church's desire that all social-charitable initiatives might always be inspired, in their implementation, by the immutable principles of the Gospel. There is danger, however, that professional organisations engaged in the social field risk losing the fundamental motivation for their existence: that is bearing witness to Christ's charity which the Church has the duty to communicate and to share with others. In order to be effective, then, continual spiritual formation is needed for voluntary co-operators who wish to devote themselves to social action. All these initiatives tend to develop the awareness that the foundation and centre of our action is Christ, in whom the God of love revealed himself and gave himself to men and women. Consequently all those who welcome Christ follow him and answer the call to be faithful witnesses to it. This awareness must totally imbue the hearts and minds of individuals so that it also inspires the Communities they set up for organised action in support of underprivileged persons and communities suffering from material and moral poverty. Being thus imbued and formed it becomes necessary that volunteers pray to draw Christ into their midst and have him accompany them.
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