17Sep
Mon
24th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Tim. 2:1-8
Ps. 128:2, 7-9
Lk. 7:1-10
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A seminary lecturer once joked in class that, when we finally get to heaven after our death, Jesus will ask us, why are you here alone? Where are the others . . . your brothers and sisters who were with you in your life, your family, relatives and friends? Did you bring anybody along with you? There is a ring of truth to what the lecturer said. Our relationship with God reflects on our relationship with others. Today's first reading, psalm and the Gospel have one strong common theme, that is, your prayers must also be for others. In the first reading, St Paul stresses that there should be prayers for everyone for God wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. In the responsorial psalm the psalmist, while praying that the Lord will hear his cry as he calls for help also prays that the Lord will save His people and shepherd them. In the Gospel, the centurion seeks out Jesus and asks nothing but a word from Him to heal his servant who is near death. The centurion being a friend of the Jewish people had helped them in the past. The Jewish elders considered him worthy of Jesus' help because of this. However, the centurion himself did not mention his deeds or consider himself worthy. He had faith and that was enough for Jesus. It does not take much to remember our sisters and brothers in our prayers. We only need to have faith. Perhaps then we can say to the Lord when we reach destiny's end, "Lord, I have not come alone."



Lord, increase my faith in You.

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 the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves 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 the adolescents and young people of the third millennium may discover a profound ideal to devote themselves to.

"Lord Jesus, you have made these young people your friends; keep them for ever close to you! Amen." This closing prayer of John Paul II at the Mass in Korazim in the Holy Land last year indicates the deep concern he has for the youth of the third millennium.

At the Mount of Beatitudes, the Holy Father looked down on the assembled youth and said, "How may generations before us have been deeply moved by the Sermon on the Mount! How many young people down the centuries have gathered around Jesus to learn the words of eternal life, as you are gathered here today! It is wonderful that you are here!"

The ideal the Holy Father proposes to the youth of today is that they look at Jesus, who embodies the Beatitudes. They will see what it means to be poor in spirit, gentle and merciful, to mourn, to care for what is right, to be pure in heart, to make peace, to be persecuted. He challenges them to go out into the world and preach the message of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes which speak of truth and goodness, and grace and freedom: of all that is necessary to enter Christ's Kingdom. Now it is their turn to be courageous apostles of that kingdom.




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