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The Gospel is linked to the first reading from Ezekiel, where we are told of a wonderful stream flowing from under the Temple in Jerusalem in an eastwardly direction bringing new life and fertility even to the Dead Sea, normally barren of all life. Jesus, of course, is the new Temple and from Him flows an even greater source of life bringing healing to all those in need - the sick, the victims of evil powers and addictions, the spiritually deprived. One of the beneficiaries is this poor man who has waited 38 years for healing. It comes not from the pool but from the Source of Life. How narrow-minded then of some people to criticise the cured man for carrying his bed on a Sabbath! These are the nitpickers who cannot see beyond the letter of the law. Let us today open our hearts to receive the healing power of Jesus bringing us life and peace. And let us be on our guard against any petty and narrow-minded judging of others. Let us see the good that is in every person we meet today. Lord, may the stream of Your love continue to pour into our hearts making us more and more like You. |
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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 : |
For the ecclesial organisations and groups engaged in social
action, that in their testimony they may proclaim strongly and consistently
the Gospel of Love.
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It is the Church's desire that all social-charitable initiatives might
always be inspired, in their implementation, by the immutable principles of
the Gospel. There is danger, however, that professional organisations
engaged in the social field risk losing the fundamental motivation for their
existence: that is bearing witness to Christ's charity which the Church has
the duty to communicate and to share with others. In order to be effective, then, continual spiritual formation is needed for voluntary co-operators who wish to devote themselves to social action. All these initiatives tend to develop the awareness that the foundation and centre of our action is Christ, in whom the God of love revealed himself and gave himself to men and women. Consequently all those who welcome Christ follow him and answer the call to be faithful witnesses to it. This awareness must totally imbue the hearts and minds of individuals so that it also inspires the Communities they set up for organised action in support of underprivileged persons and communities suffering from material and moral poverty. Being thus imbued and formed it becomes necessary that volunteers pray to draw Christ into their midst and have him accompany them. | |
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