23 Sep
Fri
25th Week in Ordinary Time
St Pius of Pietrelcina, (Padre Pio) priest
Hag. 1:15-2:9
Ps. 42(43):1,2,3,4
Lk. 9:18-22
(Ps Wk I)
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Haggai continues his mission of encouragement: "Take courage¡KDo not be afraid". As usual, God does not simply call on us to have courage or to put aside all fear. We are rational beings and need reasons to persuade us.

So God enlightens us and strengthens us by showing why we should not be afraid. The reason for courage and hope lies in God's gift rather than in ourselves: "I am with you¡Kmy spirit continues in your midst."

Reading Haggai's words, we remember the encouragement which Jesus gave us, especially during the Last Supper: "Do not let your hearts be troubled: trust in God and trust in me" (John 14:1). "In this world you will have trouble, but have courage: I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Promises are part of the vocabulary of hope. Our Christian hope is Jesus himself, our crucified and risen Lord, for he was the promised one, the one who was to come and who has indeed come to assure us that there is no need to be afraid. Hence, after speaking of the glory of the new Temple, God adds a promise of peace. We are assured that whatever is for the greater glory of God will certainly bring us peace.



Lord God, may we glorify You in all things and so attain the peace for which every heart is longing.

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 all teachers may know how to communicate love of the truth and instill authentic moral and spiritual values.
Elaboration

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