23 May
Thu 		7th Week in Ordinary Time
James 5:1-6
Ps. 49:14-15ab,15cd-16, 17-18,19-20
Mk. 9:41-50
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St James, in the first reading today, sounds much like an Old Testament prophet crying out against the injustices of his day. Apparently similar injustices existed in St James' era even among the earliest Christians. We should not be surprised since many similar injustices exist among us.

Recently we witnessed the death of an Archbishop who spoke out for the rights of the oppressed in Columbia. The wealthy who exploit others usually have the means to retaliate against those who prick their consciences.

In any case, we must examine our own conduct. While we rightly protest abominations in our society, such as corruption, we must make sure we are consistent in the matter of recognizing basic human dignity. What is our attitude towards those held in contempt by some, such as alcoholics, drug addicts, or derelicts? Do we really accept the human rights of those who just happen to be undocumented aliens or who speak a language foreign to our own?

Actually Jesus calls for much more than strict justice. He expects us to see and love His own person hidden beneath the veils of humanity all around us. This is the meaning He has in mind when He says, "Any man who gives you a drink of water because you belong to Christ will not, I assure you, go without his reward." Do we refuse anyone this drink of water?


Lord, stir within my heart Your love so that I may see You in others especially the marginalised.

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 live their faith coherently and so be credible witnesses of the hope of the Gospel
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 live their faith coherently and so be credible witnesses of the hope of the Gospel

That we may live a "coherent faith" that is a faith which produces the testimony of good works is the ecumenical intention of the Holy Father. In the Joint Declaration on the doctrine of justification signed between the Catholic Church and the World Lutheran Federation in 1999 it is stated that "only through grace, by means of faith in Christ and his salvific work, and not through any merit of ours, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit which renews our hearts, enabling us to perform and leading us to good works".

It has to be understood that no human effort is capable of buying salvation. It is fundamentally a gift of God for which we have a duty to respond and co-operate through "faith-in-action" or "practised faith".

Hence, the strengthening of one's inner faith through prayer and the sacraments will assist in the growth of charity which leads us to live the new commandment of love more fervently. Now is the time to look at charity in a new way. It is not a matter of doing the same thing in the same way. It is a time to seek and find new expressions of love for every human being. Then we become "credible witnesses of evangelical hope"



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