21 Apr
Sun
4th Sunday of Easter (A)
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Ps. 23:1-3a,3b-4,5,6
1 Pt. 2:20b-25
Jn. 10:1-10
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

There is no lack of those who offer to grant us an easy bliss or salvation. Often what they desire is our money or our freedom. There are no shortcuts or techniques that will take us to God, except the one revealed by the life of Jesus. St Irenaeus said that the glory of God is a human being fully alive, and Jesus has shown us in His life what this means: love, service, and a willingness to bear the burdens of others. This is the way to God for all human beings, regardless of their religion or belief. For those who find refuge in Him, He promises His presence, friendship and protection.

Peter's letter gives a beautiful description of the way of Jesus in His counsel concerning the bearing of persecution or injustice. It does not mean that we meekly accept the injustice in the world. On the contrary, the quest for justice is part of who we are. But we do not use the methods of the unjust - we make it an opportunity to witness to our heavenly Teacher and the Way which we follow!

Peter insists that it is never too late to return to God: Repent and be baptized! Even beyond that, it is never too late to turn back to God, regardless of how far we have strayed. Jesus has not come to condemn, but to seek out the lost and restore them to wholeness. The compassionate shepherd never ceases in that mission. We are never alone; we are never forgotten; we are never without a friend or support.



Lord, help me to follow the example of Jesus in all things.

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 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
Elaboration

- END -









P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : 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

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.




- END -