20 Feb
Wed
1st Week of Lent
Jon. 3:1-10
Ps. 50:3-4,12-13,18-19
Lk. 11:29-32
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Jesus commented on people who came to Him because they were "looking for a sign". They would only be given 'the sign of Jonah', He said, explaining that just as Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, He Himself would be a sign for the people of His generation. But, in the biblical story, the people of Nineveh actually listened and paid attention to the warnings of Jonah, and changed their evil ways because they came to believe that Jonah was indeed God's messenger to them.

And Jesus? Despite all He said and did, His healing and encouragement and teaching, His being "something greater than Jonah", He suggests that His hearers are not really listening. People today, too, are looking for signs and the signs of Jonah and of the 'Queen of the South' and of Jesus are still with us, unseen, unrecognised or ignored by many. Jonah's message was that the people had 40 days in which to repent and change their ways. Since Jesus spoke His words, the world has endured 2000 years, and each of us the span of our own lifetimes. Can we say we've really recognised His sign, listened to His words? We have these annual 40 days of Lent as reminder and encouragement to do what the people of Nineveh did, to open our eyes and ears and hearts, and to change.



Lord, give us grace to see, understand and accept the signs of Your presence in our lives and in the world around us: signs of Your cross and of Your glory You call us to share.

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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.
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 Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.

Suffering in any form has a supernatural value. It becomes an efficacious moment for our own and other people's sanctification. This has been the teaching of the Church throughout history bearing in mind the grace of Redemption obtained for us by the Lord on the Cross in Calvary. The Lord's missionary mandate to preach the gospel includes the dual concept "evangelisation and care for the sick".

Convinced of this missionary goal and called on to be visible signs of the mercy and charity of Jesus, Catholic Hospitals are urged to give special evangelical witness by loving works and actions, the Church's solicitude for those who suffer. Hence, Catholic Hospitals are to promote initiatives and actions in favour of life and that the entire hospital health care system be imbued with the culture of enhancing life through generous love and dedicated service.

An essential characteristic of Catholic Hospitals is that its treatment of physical suffering must reflect the mark of the Holy Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, understanding of others, fidelity, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22).




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