17 May
Thu 		5th Week of Easter
Acts 15:7-21
Ps. 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10;
Jn. 15:9-11
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Peter acts in his capacity as leader in giving his understanding of the evidence of Paul and his fellow missionaries. As he realised earlier when he baptised Cornelius and his household, God's Spirit cannot be circumscribed by any human regulations. He had shown his acceptance of the pagans by giving them the gift of faith and the desire for baptism, just as he had in the case of the Jews. Both Jews and Gentiles are saved in the same way, 'through the grace of the Lord Jesus.' James, as ruler of the local church endorsed Peter's words and in the name of all present announced the decision that Gentiles would not be expected to be circumcised or be bound by the entire Torah. A momentous decision, not just for its own time, but for our time and for all time. God does not have favourites.

Jesus emphasised His love for His disciples, which He likens to the Father's love for Himself. What He asks of us is our love of Him in return, and that this would be a sincere love made clear in the way we live as He made clear in the way He lived His own total love of the Father.


Lord, help us to love others as You love unconditionally.

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 refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to
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 refugee women, supported and respected, may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to

The responsibility for many political decisions leading to war rests predominantly with men. Consequently, while men get wounded or die, women and children become refugees exposed to assault, rape or loss of children. The ones who suffer most in these conflicts are the weakest who get uprooted and are forced to flee. This is not the way humanity is supposed to live.

Like all refugees women and girls face problems of various kinds and need the following: protection against forced return to their countries of origin; security against armed attacks and other forms of violence; protection from unjustified and unduly prolonged detention; a legal status that accords them adequate social, economic and legal rights; and access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. They also need protection against human rights abuses and the myriad problems they have to encounter to safeguard their dignity and personhood.

We are asked to be in solidarity with them and pray that refugee women may find the strength to overcome the violence and suffering they are subjected to.



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