18 Apr
Wed
3rd Week of Easter
Acts 8:1-8
Ps. 66(65):1-3,4-5,6-7
Jn. 6:35-40
(Ps Wk III)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 
 

As the persecutions arose against the Church in Jerusalem, the word of God spread out to Samaria and many believed. The Gospel is more powerful than any earthly power or persecution. As the Church Father Tertullian said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Christianity is strongest when it faces opposition and adversity. Comfort, privilege, and indulgence smother the spirit. That applies to people too! Struggle can bring out the best in us and deepen our faith, if we have the proper attitude.

Jesus shocked people by insisting that he was the bread of life. How can he have come down from heaven? He was making an important statement about himself. Only God can sustain us and give life. Jesus promised to do that for all who would allow themselves to be nurtured and fed by him. That can only mean that Jesus has the powers of God. Our relationship with Jesus cannot be part-time, superficial, or haphazard. Just as we take food and water each day to survive, so we must fill ourselves with him. We do this with thought, word, deed, prayer, and meditation. Jesus will raise us up both now and on the last day.



Lord, sustain and nourish me.


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 economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2018. All rights reserved.