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Each of us is looking for a home; for a place where we can be safe and
secure, accepted and affirmed. This constant search takes on various
forms. Some expend all their energies on the pursuit of material riches
and success. Some seek gratification in cultivating the good opinions of
others. Yet others hope to find their happiness in certain significant
persons in their lives. All too often, however, these efforts leave us
disappointed and dissatisfied. The more enlightened among us, remembering that our happiness lies ultimately in God, become involved in more religious pursuits. But even here, it is easy for our search to go astray. All too often, we find our efforts tainted by egoism. Focusing too much on our private prayer and our own projects, we easily lose sight of the God for whom we seek. "If you make my word your home, you will indeed be my disciples...". This is a word of consolation for us. It reminds us that our search need not be in vain, if only we look to Christ. But it is also a word of challenge, for Christ's word includes, "Forgive your enemies... Take up your cross everyday... I was thirsty...in prison...naked..." Making Jesus' word our home, can be very uncomfortable and inconvenient. Like the three young men in the Book of Daniel, we might feel as though we are being thrown into a fiery furnace. And yet, Jesus invites us to hold firm and to hope in Him. He will lead us home. Lord, teach me to make Your Word our home! |
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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 consecrated people, answering the call of their
particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the
present-day world
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In the world of today there is a widespread search for joy, happiness,
serenity, liberty. That is why the consecrated religious is called on
to remind every person that the life of a human being comes from God.
Religious give outstanding and striking testimony that the world cannot
be transformed and offered to God without the spirit of the Beatitudes
which proposes a way of living and for people to relate to each other.
The consecrated life is for all the faithful a luminous sign of the
common vocation to holiness, a model on which to draw inspiration and
courage. Besides, the religious community based on motivations of faith,
on mutual love and on sharing presents itself as a call to the constant
reform of ecclesial communities. The commitment asked of consecrated people needs the support, awareness and prayer of the entire Christian community, so that human weakness may not prevail but may always allow itself to be led and transformed by God's action. In fact, the attitudes indicated by the Beatitudes not only point a sure way towards fulfilment and charity, but also lead directly to the Person of Christ who came so that men and women not only might have life but have it to the full. | |
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