13 Aug
Sat
19th Week in Ordinary Time
Ss Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, priest
Josh 24:14-29
Ps. 15(16):1-2,5,7-8,11
Mt. 19:13-15
(Ps Wk III)
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If ever we find ourselves slow in understanding everything about Jesus and His mission, we can always turn to the Gospel for consolation: in their day, Jesus' disciples were just as slow. It required a long time for the full truth of the Gospel to penetrate their spirit. It required the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. But, as the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles demonstrate to us, the learning process with all its pains did not come to an end at Pentecost.

We too, still have to assimilate the Gospel. Like the disciples, our own way of looking at things will often be rather different from Jesus' way. To enter fully into the spirit of Jesus, today's Gospel suggests two necessary things. First of all, we ourselves must become like little children, accepting Jesus' blessing and so belonging to the Kingdom of God. Then, too, we must ensure that the children of the world are brought to Jesus for His blessing. Becoming like little children is perhaps a life-long spiritual task. Given the way the world abuses our children, ensuring that they are brought to Jesus for His blessing is an even more enormous task. It is one that we cannot shirk without destroying our civilization.



Lord, bless the children of the world and keep them from all 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 World Youth Day in Madrid may encourage young people throughout the world to have their lives rooted and built up in Christ.
Elaboration

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