21 Jan
Tue
2nd Week in Ordinary Time
St Agnes, Virgin and martyr
1 Sam. 16:1-13
Ps. 89(88): 20,21-22,27-28
Mk. 2:23-28
(Ps Wk II)
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In his lengthy interviews, Pope Francis has talked about the Church being like a field hospital on a battlefield, where people are wounded and seriously hurt and in need of help. In such circumstances, the Pope has reminded us, there is no point in asking the wounded person about other aspects of his health — he needs his wounds to be attended to, not to be lectured to about other things.

Perceptive commentators have remarked that Pope Francis is not doing anything except putting the Gospel before us. In calling for the church to be more merciful, Pope Francis’ images are simply modern expressions for things that Jesus constantly said and did. The Pharisees were horrified that the disciples did a simple thing like plucking grains of wheat and eating them on the Sabbath. If the disciples had been guilty of some major breach of the Sabbath law, the Pharisees might have had more reason for their objection. But so serious a reaction to such a minor fault!

Jesus, of course, immediately defended his disciples and thus called the Pharisees to see things in a much more real perspective.




Lord Jesus, grant us the wisdom and insight, compassion and concern, to work with the Pope and make the whole Church a great sacrament of mercy in this broken world of ours.

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 may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of peoples.
Elaboration

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