18 Jan
Tue
2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Heb. 6:10-20
Ps. 111:1-2,4-5,9,10
Mk. 2:23-28
(Ps Wk II)
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"Fully assured of that for which you hope". From a human perspective it may seem as if "full assurance" and "hope" are somewhat contradictory. We would normally think of hope in relation to those things which are somewhat uncertain, whereas for those things that are certain we might possibly have an attitude of expectancy that they will occur. This points to the great difference between human and divine hope, where, by "divine hope" we mean hope in divine things. Through Christian hope we reach out in expectancy towards those things that God desires to give: eternal life and happiness. It has been noted that human hope faces the question "whether or not", whereas divine hope looks rather to the question "when". Human hope, we may say, is grounded in the human experience that things can and do change and concomitantly, if things can be different they can be better. But we cannot be entirely certain whether things will turn out well or not. Divine hope is based on God's promises, which were reaffirmed in the Incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus. The certainty of our hope derives from the eternal truth of the Word of God. There is an unbreakable bond between God and His promises.



Lord, strengthen our hope so that we may be ever zealous in promoting Your kingdom in accordance with Your promises.

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 those working in the Middle-East, may intensify their efforts for peace.
Elaboration

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