30 Sep
Sat
25th Week in Ordinary Time
St Jerome, priest and doctor
Zec. 2:5-9,14-15
(R. Ps.) Jer. 31:10,11-12,13
Lk. 9:43-45
(Ps Wk I)
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Scripture frequently uses the image of a shepherd to speak of God's protecting love and care for us, as in the passage from Jeremiah which serves as our responsorial Psalm today. People who have grown up with a religious life nourished by the word of Scripture have probably assimilated the image to such an extent that they find no problem with the image and are even moved to great devotion by singing "The Lord is my shepherd."

Since, however, we mostly live in urban areas and not in a nomadic culture where actual shepherds do guide and care for their flocks of sheep, it is beneficial and at times even necessary for us to re-think the image of a shepherd and try to reach a real understanding of the truth which Scripture conveys to us. Many other biblical images are no longer part of our urbanized culture and social ambience and need to be re-thought.

Even Jesus' disciples found it difficult to understand this message, partly because the notion of a suffering Messiah did not make any sense to them.

So often, through prayer and reflection, we need to personalize our religion and cultivate a relationship with God that makes spiritual sense to us and strengthens our faith.



Lord, bless us with the strengthening experience of Your protective love.


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 our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.
Elaboration

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