16 May
Fri
6th Week in Ordinary Time
James 2:14-24,26
Ps. 111:1-2,3-4,5-6
Mk. 8:34-9:1
(Ps Wk II)
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A friendship or deep personal relationship in which love is never expressed in a real and concrete form will soon wither and die. Real love always shows itself in action and deeds, and true faith always reaches out to others. James has no patience with a 'me and Jesus' sort of spirituality. These are folks who worry only about 'being saved' and they are not overly concerned with the well-being and happiness of others. It is easy to wish the suffering and needy well and even to pray for them. It costs nothing and requires little effort. But the gospels are clear that those who actually clothe the naked, feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, visit the sick and imprisoned, and so forth are doing the will of God. James insists that we must look upon their happiness and well-being in the same manner that we would our own. They are part of us and we are part of them - and we are all part of the Lord.

This of course requires that we give up our selfish ego, and that is easier said than done. When Jesus tells us we must take up our cross he does not mean that we are necessarily going to die physically. We do not have to inflict pain or suffering on ourselves - usually it will find us! But when he talks about saving, losing, and gaining life he means that we cannot 'play it safe' - protecting not only our life but our comfort and power. We have to be prepared to put everything on the line, holding back nothing from God.



Lord, help me to be concerned with others rather than self.

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 Christians may use literature, art and the mass-media to greater advantage in order to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person.
Elaboration

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