8 Jul
Sat
13th Week in Ordinary Time
Gen. 27:1-5,15-29
Ps. 135(134):1-2,3-4,5-6
Mt. 9:14-17
(Ps Wk I)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 
 

"The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them." Today's first reading illustrates the importance of the blessing of the father for his elder son. However, Rebekah wants her younger son Jacob to be blessed with these special blessings instead of her elder son Esau. Parents' blessings are of the utmost importance in our lives. Therefore one of the Ten Commandments tells us to honour our parents.

In the Gospel Jesus tells us that as long as he is present with his disciples they need not fast. Jesus doesn't undermine the importance of fasting in our spiritual journey. He himself fasted for forty days and forty nights before He began His public ministry. Fasting has indeed a great significance in our spiritual journey. It helps to be in communion with God. The disciples are already in the presence of the Lord. They are enjoying his company. Therefore they do not need to fast. That is what Jesus seems to be telling John's disciples. Fasting is not end in itself. It is a means to come into the company of the Lord.



Lord, grant us the grace that we may respect our parents and always yearn for Your company.


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 our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2017. All rights reserved.