29 Jul
Mon 		St Martha
1 Jn. 4:7-16
Ps. 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9,10-11
Jn. 11:19-27
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Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary. Jesus had a particular affection for her home and family. Martha was a carer, a nurturer. Jesus was attracted by her grace and strength. The life of God is evidenced in Martha's love.

This is the meaning of the first reading. The essence of God is love and is visible in us when we love one another.

The Gospel narrates the scene in Martha's home after the death of Lazarus. The conversational structure of the Gospel is important. This conversation is a celebration of Martha and Jesus. Martha knows of the relationship which exists between Jesus and His Father. Jesus' reference to Himself as the resurrection and the life evokes a full confession of faith from Martha. This echoes the first reading: "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is Son of God, God lives in him/her and he/she is in God". Martha is a lover of God. She perceives that love through faith, and God's life is in her.


Lord, help me to perceive like Martha, that my faith in You is the beginning of my love for You who always 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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