26 Jul
Fri
16th Week in Ordinary Time
Ss Joachim and Anne,
parents of the BVM
Jer. 3:14-17
(R.Ps.) Jer. 31:10-,11-12,13
Mt. 13:18-23
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It is a measure of the power of evil in the world that the preaching of the prophets is as pertinent today as it was in their own age. Circumstances have changed from their times, but the human heart can still be so "unteachably after evil". As nations and even as individuals, we are still very often locked up in our "hardhearted wickedness". The work of Jesus has still much fruit to bear. The seed sown is now in even greater danger of being lost before it can bear fruit.

The return from exile was a great promise for the prophets. They saw it as a renewal, not only for Israel but also for the whole world: "all nations will be gathered together". How far we are from that dream of Jeremiah! We do, of course, have the United Nations Organisation, but that is an organization and not yet the full realization of that union of all human minds and hearts that, in union with the prophets, we may still dream of.



Set all human hearts free, dear Lord, from all forms of hardhearted wickedness. Gather us all before Your throne in a spiritual Jerusalem, where we will strive wholeheartedly for the establishment of Your kingdom in the world, the kingdom of justice, joy and love.

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 artists may do all they can to help the men and women of today to discover the signs of God's providential love in creation.
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 artists may do all they can to help the men and women of today to discover the signs of God's providential love in creation.

The artist who can sculpt the stones of our heart to bring out the features of Christ is the Holy Spirit. However, he requires our responsiveness and docility. Conversion of heart is a work of an art jointly produced by the Spirit and our freedom.

Artists, accustomed to shaping the most diverse materials according to the inspiration of their genius, know well the daily effort required to improve their life that resembles artistic work. Through his artistic creativity the artist accomplishes the task of shaping the "material" of his own humanity and then having dominion over the universe. There is a remarkable similarity between the art of forming oneself and that which takes place in the transformation of matter.

God lets himself be glimpsed through the fascination of beauty. Artists can perceive a ray of supreme beauty among the many manifestations of the beautiful. It is then that art becomes a way to God and it spurs the artists to combine their creative talent with their commitment to a life of ever greater conformity to the divine law. Living profoundly their Christian faith, artists are encouraged to give birth to new "epiphanies" of the divine beauty reflected in creation.




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