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God draws good out of every situation. Those who had to flee from Jerusalem during the persecution after the death of Stephen did not retreat into self-pity or recriminatioin. Driven northwards into Samaria, Philip and others grasped the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to those who would listen. Many of you reading this in various cities of Asia may be in a similar situation. You may be thinking of emigrating. You may be reading this in exile somewhere. Meditating prayerfullly on the response of the early Church to persecution, we can appreciate the dedication of Philip and be strengthened to act in a similar way. Emigration can be an opportunity for mission, a chance to bring the Good News to others, a chance to strengthen the faith of those who are wandering away from God's truth and love. Many of our people have emigrated, and are quite spiritually lost. Many Asian Catholics in exile find their faith threatened by contact with dubious and even evil sects. Philip the deacon would have immediately shouldered the responsibility of preaching the Messiah to them, consoling and strengthening them. And I? Lord, make me a channel of Your truth, of the Good News of our salvation in Jesus. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world, the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of life and school of faith and right values
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The family as a domestic Church and cradle of life is the appropriate setting in which faith can increase. It is here that faith can be nourished through an attitude of appreciation of the treasure which parents are called on to transmit to their children through personal words and testimonies of life. This attitude must then be nourished with a sense of wonder and hope and it must be contemplated as Mary contemplated it in the face of the Word she received and the events of her life. This deep sense of faith helps parents and their children to fulfil the vocation received from God. Parents, teaching their children and bearing witness to the true sense of suffering and dying, lead the young to be more attentive to all forms of suffering. They, thus develop positive attitudes of assistance and sharing with others, especially with weaker people like the sick and the aged. This life of faith must be continually nourished through individual and family prayer. On the strength of this foundation the family becomes a place for training in justice, self-control, temperance, respect for the personal dignity of each individual and the service of the poor and needy. | |
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