Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 405
Lectionary: 405
The LORD said to
Moses,
“These are the festivals of the LORD which you shall celebrate
at their proper time with a sacred assembly.
The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month,
at the evening twilight.
The fifteenth day of this month is the LORD’s feast of Unleavened Bread.
For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
On the first of these days you shall hold a sacred assembly
and do no sort of work.
On each of the seven days you shall offer an oblation to the LORD.
Then on the seventh day you shall again hold a sacred assembly
and do no sort of work.”
The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the children of Israel and tell them:
When you come into the land which I am giving you,
and reap your harvest,
you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest
to the priest, who shall wave the sheaf before the LORD
that it may be acceptable for you.
On the day after the sabbath the priest shall do this.
“Beginning with the day after the sabbath,
the day on which you bring the wave-offering sheaf,
you shall count seven full weeks,
and then on the day after the seventh week, the fiftieth day,
you shall present the new cereal offering to the LORD.
“The tenth of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement,
when you shall hold a sacred assembly and mortify yourselves
and offer an oblation to the LORD.
“The fifteenth day of this seventh month is the LORD’s feast of Booths,
which shall continue for seven days.
On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly,
and you shall do no sort of work.
For seven days you shall offer an oblation to the LORD,
and on the eighth day you shall again hold a sacred assembly
and offer an oblation to the LORD.
On that solemn closing you shall do no sort of work.
“These, therefore, are the festivals of the LORD
on which you shall proclaim a sacred assembly,
and offer as an oblation to the LORD burnt offerings and cereal offerings,
sacrifices and libations, as prescribed for each day.”
“These are the festivals of the LORD which you shall celebrate
at their proper time with a sacred assembly.
The Passover of the LORD falls on the fourteenth day of the first month,
at the evening twilight.
The fifteenth day of this month is the LORD’s feast of Unleavened Bread.
For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
On the first of these days you shall hold a sacred assembly
and do no sort of work.
On each of the seven days you shall offer an oblation to the LORD.
Then on the seventh day you shall again hold a sacred assembly
and do no sort of work.”
The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the children of Israel and tell them:
When you come into the land which I am giving you,
and reap your harvest,
you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest
to the priest, who shall wave the sheaf before the LORD
that it may be acceptable for you.
On the day after the sabbath the priest shall do this.
“Beginning with the day after the sabbath,
the day on which you bring the wave-offering sheaf,
you shall count seven full weeks,
and then on the day after the seventh week, the fiftieth day,
you shall present the new cereal offering to the LORD.
“The tenth of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement,
when you shall hold a sacred assembly and mortify yourselves
and offer an oblation to the LORD.
“The fifteenth day of this seventh month is the LORD’s feast of Booths,
which shall continue for seven days.
On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly,
and you shall do no sort of work.
For seven days you shall offer an oblation to the LORD,
and on the eighth day you shall again hold a sacred assembly
and offer an oblation to the LORD.
On that solemn closing you shall do no sort of work.
“These, therefore, are the festivals of the LORD
on which you shall proclaim a sacred assembly,
and offer as an oblation to the LORD burnt offerings and cereal offerings,
sacrifices and libations, as prescribed for each day.”
Responsorial PsalmPS 81:3-4, 5-6, 10-11AB
R. (2a) Sing with joy to God our help.
Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel,
the pleasant harp and the lyre.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our solemn feast.
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
For it is a statute in Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob,
Who made it a decree for Joseph
when he came forth from the land of Egypt.
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt.
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel,
the pleasant harp and the lyre.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our solemn feast.
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
For it is a statute in Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob,
Who made it a decree for Joseph
when he came forth from the land of Egypt.
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt.
R. Sing with joy to God our help.
GospelMT 13:54-58
Jesus came to his
native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.
Meditation: "They took offense at
Jesus"
Are you critical
towards others, especially those who are close to you? The most severe critics
are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative,
neighbor, student, or worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus
faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the
carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been
customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and
when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His
hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had
heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do
in his hometown? Jesus startled them with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or
servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at him and refused to listen to what he had
to say. They despised his preaching because he was a carpenter from the working
class, and a mere layman untrained by religious scholars. They also despised
him because of his family background. After all, Joseph was a tradesman as well
and Mary had no special social distinctions.How easily familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in his hometown because the people who were familiar with him were closed-minded and despised his claim to speak and act in the name of God. If people come together to hate and refuse to understand others different than themselves, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you view those who are familiar to you? With kindness and respect or with a critical and judgmental spirit?
The Lord Jesus offers us freedom from sin, prejudice, contempt, and fear. His love and grace sets us free to love others with the same grace and mercy which he has shown to us. Only Jesus can truly set us free from the worst tyranny possible — slavery to sin and the fear of death. His victory on the cross brings us pardon and healing, and the grace to live holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you know the joy and freedom which Christ's love brings to our hearts?
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers every fear and breaks the power of hatred and prejudice. Flood my heart with your mercy and compassion, that I may treat my neighbor with the same favor and kindness which you have shown to me."
www.dailyscripture.net
 Lack of Faith |
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Friday of the
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
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Matthew 13:54-58
Jesus came to his native place and taught
the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did
this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter´s son? Is
not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And
they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not
without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he
did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your power. I know that you are the Lord of
all history. I trust that you are guiding my life. Thank you for showing me
that you will triumph. Thank you for the triumph you have already achieved in
my heart and in the hearts of so many people. I want to allow you to have
total control over my life.
Petition: Lord, increase my faith in you.
1. Too Much Familiarity: The people of Nazareth thought they knew all
about Jesus. He had grown up among them. Apparently they had not seen
anything extraordinary about him before he started his public ministry. They
thought he was just like everyone else. So when they hear that he is doing
miracles and teaching with authority, they do not believe it. Sometimes I
also run the danger of putting limits on Christ’s power in my life. I see the
unimpressive circumstances of my life and the recurrence of the same old
problems. I do not believe that Christ can do something supernatural in the
midst of an ordinary situation. Today I am receiving an invitation to step
beyond the routine and believe more deeply in the power of Christ.
2. An Unwelcome Prophet: The solution to their deepest problems was
in their own backyard. Yet, the people of Nazareth felt that such a familiar
figure could not bring anything extraordinary. When the Church sometimes
challenges me with some of her teachings – on charity, on family life, on the
need to be a courageous witness –, do I sometimes find excuses, like saying
that my circumstances are too difficult, or the Church does not understand my
situation? Do I sometimes let the prophetic voice of the Church die in my
heart? When I feel challenged by the Gospel and by the Church I should be
thankful. Christ is inviting me to discover the deepest meaning of my life.
He is giving me a chance to allow his presence to make a deep change in my
life. He is allowing me to discover him in faith and is taking me beyond my
comfort zone to the level of the coming of his Kingdom.
3. A Miracle Worker in Waiting: What sort of miracles does Christ want to do
in my life? Christ has a plan to make my life a luminous witness to the power
of his grace. He wants to fill my life with his holiness and help me be a
light for others. If I can shake off my superficiality and lack of faith, I
will discover the powerful presence of the Savior who helps me live each
moment with depth and love. He can do miracles in my life. He can help me
live the virtues which are most costly for me. Am I willing to take a risk
for Christ and trust him totally?
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know you want to do great things in
my life. Help me to see how you can transform the ordinary, seemingly
unimportant circumstances of my day into moments when your grace triumphs. Enable
me to be docile to your Holy Spirit, so he can do miracles in my life.
Resolution: I will increase my faith in Christ by taking
a risk for him in some aspect of my spiritual or apostolic life.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2
MATTHEW 13:54-58
(Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37; Psalm 81)
KEY VERSE: "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house" (v 57).
READING: Chapters 13:54 ̶ 17:27 of Matthew's gospel has been given the title: "The Kingdom of God and the Church." God's kingdom was clearly visible in the person of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. When Jesus finished his teachings in the towns around the Lake of Galilee, he returned to Nazareth where he was raised. His neighbors were astonished by his teaching and mighty deeds, but they were also skeptical. Jesus was a "hometown boy," and they took offense at his presumption in telling them how to live their lives. Jesus was rejected like the prophets before him. Because his neighbors lacked faith in him, he was unable to perform many miracles there.
REFLECTING: Do I see God at work among my friends and neighbors?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be open to hearing truth from the teachings of the Church.
Optional Memorial of Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop
Eusebius was made lector in Rome, where he lived some time, probably as a member or head of a religious community. Later he came to Vercelli, and in 340 was unanimously elected bishop of that city by the clergy and the people. He received episcopal consecration at the hands of Pope Julius I on 15 December of the same year. According to the testimony of St. Ambrose he was the first bishop of the West who united monastic with clerical life. He led a common life with the clergy of his city modeled upon that of the Eastern cenobites. For this reason the Canons Regular of St. Augustine honor him along with St. Augustine as their founder.
Optional Memorial of Peter Julian Eymard, priest
Peter Julian Eymard had a strong Marian devotion. He organized lay societies under the direction of the Marists, preached and taught, and worked for Eucharistic devotion. He founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856, and the lay Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in 1858 and a sister congregation for women. Peter's work encountered a series of setbacks, however his vision of priests, deacons, sisters, and lay people dedicated to the spiritual values celebrated in the Mass and Blessed Sacrament anticipated many of the renewals brought about by Vatican Councils I and II.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Sing with joy to God our help
He did not do many miracles there, because of their lack of faith.
Faith is often a difficult concept to grasp, yet without faith ‘it is impossible to please God’. (Hebrews 11:6). In essence, ‘faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’ (Hebrews 11:1). We do not often read of Jesus performing miracles when the people did not believe. Faith then is the key that unlocks the power of God for us.
The opposite of faith is self-sufficiency, which prevents us from being open to God’s work in our lives. Do we neglect prayer and scripture because we are too busy doing things according to our own plans and ways? Are we like those who doubted that God could work in their lives? Lord, help us to believe.
www.churchresources.info
August 2
Dedication of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels
Francis rebuilt this chapel with his own hands and died less than
fifty feet away from it.
The chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, down the hill from the walled city of Assisi, was built out of devotion but had deteriorated by the time of Francis' conversion (1206). Although it belonged to the Benedictine monks on nearby Mount Subasio, few people then lived close to the Portiuncula, "Mary's little portion."
After having rebuilt the small churches of San Damiano and later San Pietro, which no longer exists, Francis rebuilt this chapel. In time, it would be called the "cradle of the Franciscan family," important to the friars, the Poor Clares, Secular Franciscans, and members of the Third Order Regular.
While attending Mass here one day, Francis heard a reading from the Gospel of Matthew; Jesus was sending out the apostles without gold, silver, or money; they were not to carry a traveling bag, food, or a walking staff and were not to wear sandals or have two tunics. Instead, they should preach the kingdom of God and penance. Francis exclaimed, "This is what I wish; this is what I seek; this is what I long to do with all my heart" (1 Celano, #22).
A few years later, Francis and the other friars received the Lady Clare here on Palm Sunday evening (1212), gave her a religious garb, and cut her hair as a sign of entrance into a new way of life. The Benedictines gave Francis the chapel, which soon became his headquarters; here the friars assembled in annual chapters to report on what they had accomplished with God's grace and to decide on new territories for evangelizing. Here Francis resigned in 1221 as minister general of the friars. Because this chapel had a special role in Francis' conversion, it became a place very special to members of the Secular Franciscan Order. A few feet from this chapel, Francis died just after sunset on October 3, 1226.
By that time, Francis had gained from Pope Honorius III the "Pardon of Assisi," a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions of prayer, confession, and reception of the Eucharist) for everyone who visited and prayed in this small chapel on the anniversary of its dedication (August 2). In 1569, construction began on the basilica that now surrounds the chapel. The hillside city of Assisi has stopped growing geographically; expansion now occurs on the plain near Our Lady of the Angels Basilica. Thousands of pilgrims come here every year to pray for their own intentions, for family needs, and for reconciliation throughout the world. On October 27, 1986, Pope John Paul II and 235 leaders of the world's major religions began their Day of Prayer for World Peace with a prayer service in front of this tiny chapel.
The chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, down the hill from the walled city of Assisi, was built out of devotion but had deteriorated by the time of Francis' conversion (1206). Although it belonged to the Benedictine monks on nearby Mount Subasio, few people then lived close to the Portiuncula, "Mary's little portion."
After having rebuilt the small churches of San Damiano and later San Pietro, which no longer exists, Francis rebuilt this chapel. In time, it would be called the "cradle of the Franciscan family," important to the friars, the Poor Clares, Secular Franciscans, and members of the Third Order Regular.
While attending Mass here one day, Francis heard a reading from the Gospel of Matthew; Jesus was sending out the apostles without gold, silver, or money; they were not to carry a traveling bag, food, or a walking staff and were not to wear sandals or have two tunics. Instead, they should preach the kingdom of God and penance. Francis exclaimed, "This is what I wish; this is what I seek; this is what I long to do with all my heart" (1 Celano, #22).
A few years later, Francis and the other friars received the Lady Clare here on Palm Sunday evening (1212), gave her a religious garb, and cut her hair as a sign of entrance into a new way of life. The Benedictines gave Francis the chapel, which soon became his headquarters; here the friars assembled in annual chapters to report on what they had accomplished with God's grace and to decide on new territories for evangelizing. Here Francis resigned in 1221 as minister general of the friars. Because this chapel had a special role in Francis' conversion, it became a place very special to members of the Secular Franciscan Order. A few feet from this chapel, Francis died just after sunset on October 3, 1226.
By that time, Francis had gained from Pope Honorius III the "Pardon of Assisi," a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions of prayer, confession, and reception of the Eucharist) for everyone who visited and prayed in this small chapel on the anniversary of its dedication (August 2). In 1569, construction began on the basilica that now surrounds the chapel. The hillside city of Assisi has stopped growing geographically; expansion now occurs on the plain near Our Lady of the Angels Basilica. Thousands of pilgrims come here every year to pray for their own intentions, for family needs, and for reconciliation throughout the world. On October 27, 1986, Pope John Paul II and 235 leaders of the world's major religions began their Day of Prayer for World Peace with a prayer service in front of this tiny chapel.
Comment:
In this chapel, Francis of Assisi began to understand more about the truth of his life, his service of God, and how both of those connect with service to other people. Truth and forgiveness provide the only lasting foundations for genuine peace.
In this chapel, Francis of Assisi began to understand more about the truth of his life, his service of God, and how both of those connect with service to other people. Truth and forgiveness provide the only lasting foundations for genuine peace.
Quote:
On that Day of Prayer for World Peace, Pope John Paul II said at the Portiuncula: "I have chosen this town of Assisi as the place for our Day of Prayer for Peace because of the particular significance of the holy man venerated here–Saint Francis–known and revered by so many throughout the world as a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and brotherhood. Inspired by his example, his meekness and humility, let us dispose our hearts for prayer in true internal silence."
www.americancatholic.orgOn that Day of Prayer for World Peace, Pope John Paul II said at the Portiuncula: "I have chosen this town of Assisi as the place for our Day of Prayer for Peace because of the particular significance of the holy man venerated here–Saint Francis–known and revered by so many throughout the world as a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and brotherhood. Inspired by his example, his meekness and humility, let us dispose our hearts for prayer in true internal silence."
LECTIO: MATTHEW
13,54-58
Lectio:
Friday, August 2, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father and protector,
without you nothing is holy,
nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
by helping us to use wisely
the blessings you have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
without you nothing is holy,
nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
by helping us to use wisely
the blessings you have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 13,54-58
Coming to his home town, Jesus taught the people in their
synagogue in such a way that they were astonished and said, 'Where did the man
get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter's son,
surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and
Joseph and Simon and Jude? His sisters, too, are they not all here with us? So
where did the man get it all?' And they would not accept him. But Jesus said to
them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house,' and
he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today tells us the visit of Jesus to Nazareth, his
native community. Passing through Nazareth was painful for Jesus. What was his
community at the beginning, now it is no longer so. Something has changed.
Where there is no faith, Jesus can work no miracles.
• Matthew 13, 53-57ª: The reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus. It is always good for people to go back to their land. After a long absence, Jesus also returns, as usual, on a Saturday, and he goes to the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the head of the group, but just the same he speaks. This is a sign that persons could participate and express their own opinion. People were astonished. They did not understand Jesus’ attitude: "Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” Jesus, son of that place, whom they knew since he was a child, how is that now he is so different? The people of Nazareth were scandalized and do not accept him: “This is the carpenter’s son, surely? The people do not accept the mystery of God present in a common man as they are, as they had known Jesus. In order to speak about God he should be different. As one can see, not everything was positive. The persons, who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News, are the first ones to refuse to accept it. The conflict is not only with foreigners, but also with his relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They do not accept because they cannot understand the mystery envelops Jesus: “Is not his mother, the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude? And his sisters too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?” They are not able to believe.
• Matthew 13, 57b-58: Reaction of Jesus before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “no one is a prophet in his own country”. And he says: A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house”. In fact, where there is neither acceptance nor faith, people can do nothing. The prejudice prevents it. Jesus himself, even wanting, can do nothing. He was astonished before their lack of faith.
• The brothers and sisters of Jesus. The expression “brothers of Jesus” causes much polemics between Catholics and Protestants. Basing themselves in this and in other texts, the Protestants say that Jesus had many brothers and sisters and that Mary had more children! Catholics say that Mary did not have any other children. What can we think about this? In the first place, both positions, that of Catholics as well as that of Protestants, contain arguments taken from the Bible and from the Tradition of their respective Churches. For this reason, it is not convenient to discuss this question with arguments which are only intellectual, because it is a question of profound convictions, which have something to do with faith and with the sentiments of both and of each one. The argument which is only intellectual cannot change a conviction of the heart! It only irritates and draws away! Even if I do not agree with the opinion of others, I have to respect it. In the second place, instead of discussing around texts, all of us, Catholics and Protestants, should unite ourselves much more to fight for the defence of life, created by God, a life so disfigured by poverty, injustice, lack of faith. We should recall some other phrases of Jesus. “I have come so that they may have life and life to the full” (Jn 10, 10). “That all may be one, so that the world may believe that you, Father, has sent me” (Jn 17, 21). “Do not prevent them! Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mk 10, 39.40)
• Matthew 13, 53-57ª: The reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus. It is always good for people to go back to their land. After a long absence, Jesus also returns, as usual, on a Saturday, and he goes to the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the head of the group, but just the same he speaks. This is a sign that persons could participate and express their own opinion. People were astonished. They did not understand Jesus’ attitude: "Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” Jesus, son of that place, whom they knew since he was a child, how is that now he is so different? The people of Nazareth were scandalized and do not accept him: “This is the carpenter’s son, surely? The people do not accept the mystery of God present in a common man as they are, as they had known Jesus. In order to speak about God he should be different. As one can see, not everything was positive. The persons, who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News, are the first ones to refuse to accept it. The conflict is not only with foreigners, but also with his relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They do not accept because they cannot understand the mystery envelops Jesus: “Is not his mother, the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude? And his sisters too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?” They are not able to believe.
• Matthew 13, 57b-58: Reaction of Jesus before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “no one is a prophet in his own country”. And he says: A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house”. In fact, where there is neither acceptance nor faith, people can do nothing. The prejudice prevents it. Jesus himself, even wanting, can do nothing. He was astonished before their lack of faith.
• The brothers and sisters of Jesus. The expression “brothers of Jesus” causes much polemics between Catholics and Protestants. Basing themselves in this and in other texts, the Protestants say that Jesus had many brothers and sisters and that Mary had more children! Catholics say that Mary did not have any other children. What can we think about this? In the first place, both positions, that of Catholics as well as that of Protestants, contain arguments taken from the Bible and from the Tradition of their respective Churches. For this reason, it is not convenient to discuss this question with arguments which are only intellectual, because it is a question of profound convictions, which have something to do with faith and with the sentiments of both and of each one. The argument which is only intellectual cannot change a conviction of the heart! It only irritates and draws away! Even if I do not agree with the opinion of others, I have to respect it. In the second place, instead of discussing around texts, all of us, Catholics and Protestants, should unite ourselves much more to fight for the defence of life, created by God, a life so disfigured by poverty, injustice, lack of faith. We should recall some other phrases of Jesus. “I have come so that they may have life and life to the full” (Jn 10, 10). “That all may be one, so that the world may believe that you, Father, has sent me” (Jn 17, 21). “Do not prevent them! Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mk 10, 39.40)
4) Personal questions
• In Jesus something changed in his relationship with the
Community of Nazareth. Since you began to participate in the community, has
something changed in your relationship with the family? Why?
• Has participation in the community helped you to accept and to trust persons, especially the more simple and the poorest?
• Has participation in the community helped you to accept and to trust persons, especially the more simple and the poorest?
5) Concluding Prayer
For myself, wounded wretch that I am,
by your saving power raise me up!
I will praise God’s name in song,
I will extol him by thanksgiving. (Ps 69, 29-30)
www.ocarm.orgby your saving power raise me up!
I will praise God’s name in song,
I will extol him by thanksgiving. (Ps 69, 29-30)
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