24 Mar
Sat
5th Week of Lent
Ez. 37:21-28
(R. Ps) Jer. 31:10,11-12,13
Jn. 11:45-56
(Ps Wk I)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 
 

We have seen in other reflections at other times that Jesus received great inspiration from the prophet Isaiah. In the synagogue in Nazareth, he read a passage from Isaiah and immediately applied it to himself (Lk. 4). In answer to John the Baptist's question he replied in the words of Isaiah. One of the great ideas of Isaiah was that of universalism: sooner or later the whole world would hear the word of God and all mankind would come to Jerusalem, that is, would be converted to God: God's servant would "bring forth justice to the nations."

In different ways, the Apostles accepted this universalism: Jesus sent them on mission "to the ends of the earth." The passage which we read from St John today has the High Priest Caiaphas announce that it was better for one man to die for the sake of the people, that is, for Israel. John immediately adds the universal dimension: "not for this nation only, but to gather into one all the scattered children of God." Jesus died for all of us.



Lord Jesus, bring forth the justice of God our Father and gather all humanity into one flock under your guidance as our Good Shepherd, that we may all live in joy and in peace as children of the one Father in Heaven.


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 the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, both on the personal and communitarian levels.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2018. All rights reserved.