17Jun
Mon
11th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs. 21:1-16
Ps. 5:2-3,5-6,7 Mt. 5:38-42
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In Matthew the message of non-violence is very fitting for our world, at a time when there is such violence, in our streets, and threats of war that could devastate the whole population of the universe. The word of Jesus really presses us to place our trust in God, and follow His way of non-violence to peace. To respond with an equal degree of force, or violence is to add to the intensity of violence in the universe.

Such violence was done in earlier times. Naboth's vineyard is a horrific story of the immense power of the human heart to turn good to evil. The king when he is frustrated in his desire to acquire property for his own pleasure allows his wife to set up a plot. There is violence done to Naboth. He had defended his right to his land as something given to his family by Yahweh. Yet he is accused of offending Yahweh. King Ahab put on a mere show of justice. What Naboth held precious as a gift of God was wrested from him for the enjoyment of the king by a mockery of the holy. To be holy is to know that violence is not God's way.



Lord, help me to honour You and seek justice and peace.

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 the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.
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 the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.

While respecting others' beliefs, all religions are called on to form a spiritual United Nations under the common denominator of belief in God who unites us all. We as believers are asked to place our particular faith at the service of the common human good.

This religious goal of humanism should manifest itself in healthy co-operation and not mere coexistence among all the men and women in the world. The universal criterion for achieving a basic common denominator among all the religions is moving from instinctive and sentimental dimensions to social and spiritual ones. And the influence of religions on millions of people is so deep it can be said that without religious peace there cannot be world peace. "Religion and peace go together: unleashing a war in the name of religion is an obvious contradiction". (John Paul II).

Therefore, we must neutralise our disorderly inclinations: selfishness, pride, ambition, lust for money and power, self-sufficiency, a superiority complex. We cannot be at peace with ourselves if we are not at peace with God.




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