Memorial of Saint Claire, Virgin
Lectionary: 414
Lectionary: 414
When Moses had
finished speaking to all Israel, he said to them,
“I am now one hundred and twenty years old
and am no longer able to move about freely;
besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan.
It is the LORD, your God, who will cross before you;
he will destroy these nations before you,
that you may supplant them.
It is Joshua who will cross before you, as the LORD promised.
The LORD will deal with them just as he dealt with Sihon and Og,
the kings of the Amorites whom he destroyed,
and with their country.
When, therefore, the LORD delivers them up to you,
you must deal with them exactly as I have ordered you.
Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them,
for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you;
he will never fail you or forsake you.”
Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel
said to him, “Be brave and steadfast,
for you must bring this people into the land
which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them;
you must put them in possession of their heritage.
It is the LORD who marches before you;
he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you.
So do not fear or be dismayed.”
“I am now one hundred and twenty years old
and am no longer able to move about freely;
besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan.
It is the LORD, your God, who will cross before you;
he will destroy these nations before you,
that you may supplant them.
It is Joshua who will cross before you, as the LORD promised.
The LORD will deal with them just as he dealt with Sihon and Og,
the kings of the Amorites whom he destroyed,
and with their country.
When, therefore, the LORD delivers them up to you,
you must deal with them exactly as I have ordered you.
Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them,
for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you;
he will never fail you or forsake you.”
Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel
said to him, “Be brave and steadfast,
for you must bring this people into the land
which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them;
you must put them in possession of their heritage.
It is the LORD who marches before you;
he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you.
So do not fear or be dismayed.”
Responsorial PsalmDEUTERONOMY 32:3-4AB, 7, 8, 9 AND 12
R. (9a) The portion of the Lord is his people.
For I will sing the LORD’s renown.
Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!
The Rock–how faultless are his deeds,
how right all his ways!
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
Think back on the days of old,
reflect on the years of age upon age.
Ask your father and he will inform you,
ask your elders and they will tell you.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage,
when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,
He set up the boundaries of the peoples
after the number of the sons of Israel.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
While the LORD’s own portion was Jacob,
his hereditary share was Israel.
The LORD alone was their leader,
no strange god was with him.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
For I will sing the LORD’s renown.
Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!
The Rock–how faultless are his deeds,
how right all his ways!
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
Think back on the days of old,
reflect on the years of age upon age.
Ask your father and he will inform you,
ask your elders and they will tell you.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage,
when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,
He set up the boundaries of the peoples
after the number of the sons of Israel.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
While the LORD’s own portion was Jacob,
his hereditary share was Israel.
The LORD alone was their leader,
no strange god was with him.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
AlleluiaMT 11:29AB
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
The disciples
approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
Meditation: "Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven"
Are you surprised to see the disciples discussing with Jesus who
is the greatest? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and
greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be
"somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even
the Psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made
them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm
8:5).
Whose glory do you seek?
Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host.
Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host.
The lowly of heart empty themselves of pride
Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant and child before God. The simple of heart know that they belong to God - he is their father, teacher, and provider - the one who shows them the way of peace, joy, and life everlasting. They are content to recognize their total dependence on God who is the source of all goodness and every good gift.
Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant and child before God. The simple of heart know that they belong to God - he is their father, teacher, and provider - the one who shows them the way of peace, joy, and life everlasting. They are content to recognize their total dependence on God who is the source of all goodness and every good gift.
Jesus restores us to the people he has made holy
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
"Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and simplicity
of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your light shine through me
that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you."
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11,
MATTHEW 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
(Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Psalm: Deuteronomy 32)
(Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Psalm: Deuteronomy 32)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (v 4).
TO KNOW: When one of Jesus' disciples asked him who was the greatest in God's reign, he answered with a living parable. He placed a small child in their midst to demonstrate that membership in God's kingdom was not measured by social status or power. The child represented those who trusted God for their needs in the way children depended upon their parents. Jesus' admonished his followers not to despise the insignificant members of the community as being unimportant. The angels in heaven interceded on behalf of God's little ones who were like lost sheep with no means to protect themselves. Jesus cautioned his disciples to be good shepherds who would watch over their flocks and guard them from every evil.
TO LOVE: Do I stand up for the rights of helpless children?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to come to you with childlike confidence.
Memorial of Clare, virgin
Clare was the eldest daughter of Favorino Scifi, a wealthy member of an ancient Roman family, who owned a large palace in Assisi and a castle on the slope of Mount Subasio. From her earliest years Clare was devoted to prayer and to practices of mortification, and as she passed into girlhood her yearning for a more spiritual life increased. She was eighteen years of age when St. Francis came to preach in the church of San Giorgio at Assisi. Francis kindled a flame in the heart of Clare, and she begged him to help her live "after the manner of the holy Gospel". By St. Francis's advice, Clare secretly left her father's house, and, accompanied by her aunt Bianca and another companion, proceeded to the chapel of the Porziuncula, where Francis and his disciples met her with lights in their hands. Clare then laid aside her rich dress, and Francis cut off her hair and clothed her in a rough tunic and a thick veil, and in this way she vowed herself to the service of Jesus Christ. Eventually, Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) at San Damiano, and led it for 40 years. Clare's mother and sisters later joined the order, and today there are thousands of members living lives of prayer in silence.
Tuesday 11 August 2015
TUE 11TH.
St Clare.
Deuteronomy
31:1-8. The portion of the Lord is his people—Deuteronomy
32:3-4, 7-9. Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14.
‘The Lord
will be with you ...’
There
comes a time of rest when we leave to others, as Moses did, the task of
leadership which God gave us, whether it was at home, or in our work in the
world or in the church. Then we thank God for the past—for his call, his mercy
in our frailty, the blessed moments when he has acted directly on us in the
sacraments, or through circumstances, on our pilgrimage.
Then,
too, we regret the moments of wasted time, our failures to lead in love, to
create in love. But all that is forgiven, and we remember: ‘Unless you become
like little children ...’ Beneath us are the supporting arms of our Father on
our way through the wasteland. Constantly we say: This moment is the will of
God for me.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
The Face of Jesus
|
It has taken me many years to be able to see Jesus when I look in
the mirror; being able to do this has brought me joy. I have learned that by
letting Jesus into my heart and then out again, I can begin to see him in
myself.
August
11
St. Clare of Assisi
(1194-1253)
St. Clare of Assisi
(1194-1253)
One of the more sugary movies made about Francis of Assisi
(October 4) pictures Clare as a golden-haired beauty floating through
sun-drenched fields, a sort of one-woman counterpart to the new Franciscan
Order.
The
beginning of her religious life was indeed movie material. Having refused to
marry at 15, she was moved by the dynamic preaching of Francis. He became her
lifelong friend and spiritual guide.
At 18,
she escaped one night from her father’s home, was met on the road by friars
carrying torches, and in the poor little chapel called the Portiuncula received
a rough woolen habit, exchanged her jeweled belt for a common rope with knots
in it, and sacrificed the long tresses to Francis’ scissors. He placed her in a
Benedictine convent, which her father and uncles immediately stormed in rage.
She clung to the altar of the church, threw aside her veil to show her cropped
hair and remained adamant.
End of
movie material. Sixteen days later her sister Agnes joined her. Others came.
They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity and complete seclusion
from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order
(Poor Clares). Francis obliged her under obedience at age 21 to accept the
office of abbess, one she exercised until her death.
The nuns
went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete
silence. (Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her sisters to moderate this
rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.”) The greatest emphasis, of course,
was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in common, subsisting
on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade her to mitigate
this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved
from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following
Jesus Christ.”
Contemporary
accounts glow with admiration of her life in the convent of San Damiano in Assisi.
She served the sick, waited on table, washed the feet of the begging nuns. She
came from prayer, it was said, with her face so shining it dazzled those about
her. She suffered serious illness for the last 27 years of her life. Her
influence was such that popes, cardinals and bishops often came to consult
her—she never left the walls of San Damiano.
Francis
always remained her great friend and inspiration. She was always obedient to
his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was making real.
A
well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. She had the Blessed Sacrament
placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by invading Saracens.
“Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of these beasts the
defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you, dear Lord,
protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” To her sisters she said, “Don’t
be afraid. Trust in Jesus.” The Saracens fled.
Story:
: On her
deathbed, Clare was heard to say to herself: “Go forth in peace, for you have
followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made
you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you,
my God, for having created me.”
Comment:
The 41 years of Clare’s religious life are poor movie material, but they are a scenario of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.
The 41 years of Clare’s religious life are poor movie material, but they are a scenario of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.
Patron Saint of:
Eye disorders
Television
Eye disorders
Television
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 18,1-5.10.12-14
Lectio:
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
your Spirit made us your children,
confident to call you Father.
Increase your Spirit within us
and bring us to our promised inheritance.
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.
your Spirit made us your children,
confident to call you Father.
Increase your Spirit within us
and bring us to our promised inheritance.
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 18,1-5.10.12-14
At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?' So he called a little child to him whom he set
among them. Then he said, 'In truth I tell you, unless you change and become
like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. And so, the
one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the
kingdom of Heaven. 'Anyone who welcomes one little child like this in my name
welcomes me.
'See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that therein heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.
'Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? In truth I tell you, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
'See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that therein heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.
'Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? In truth I tell you, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
3) Reflection
• Here, in Chapter 18 of the Gospel of Matthew begins the fourth
great discourse of the New Law, the Discourse of the Community. As has already
been said before (on Monday of the 10th Week of the Year), the Gospel of
Matthew written for the communities of the Christian Jews of Galilee and of
Syria, present Jesus as the new Moses. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses
was codified in the five books of the Pentateuch. Imitating the ancient model,
Matthew represents the New Law in five great Discourses: (a) The Sermon on the
Mountain (Mt 5, 1 to 7, 29); (b) the Discourse of the Mission (Mt 10, 1-42);
(c) The Discourse of the Parables (Mt 13, 1-52); (d) The Discourse of the
Community (Mt 18, 1-35); (e) The discourse of the Future of the Kingdom (Mt
24,1 to 25,46). The narrative parts which are inserted among the five
Discourses describe the practice of Jesus and show how he practiced and
embodied the New Law in his life.
• The Gospel today gives the first part of the Discourse of the Community (Mt 18, 1-14) which has as key word “the little ones”. The little ones are not only the children, but also the poor persons, those who are not important in society and in the community, and also the children. Jesus asks that these “little ones” should always be the centre of the concern of the communities because “The Father in Heaven does not will that one of these little ones should be lost” (Mt 18, 14).
• Matthew 18, 1: The question of the disciples which provokes the teaching of Jesus. The disciples want to know who is the greater in the Kingdom. The simple fact of this question reveals that they had not understood anything or very little the message of Jesus. The whole Discourse of the Community, is in order to make them understand that among the followers of Jesus the spirit of service should prevail, the gift of self, of pardon, of reconciliation and of gratuitous love, without seeking one’s own interest and one’s own promotion.
• Matthew 18, 2-5: The fundamental criterion: the little one and the greater one. The disciples ask for a criterion so as to be able to measure the importance of the persons in the community: “Who is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus answers that the criterion are the littler ones! The little ones are not socially important; they do not belong to the world of the great. The disciples have to become children. Instead of growing up, to the heights, they must grow down and toward the periphery, where the poor and the little ones live. In this way, they will be the greater in the Kingdom! The reason is the following: “Anyone who receives one of these little ones receives me”. Jesus identifies himself with them. The love of Jesus for the little ones cannot be explained. Children have no merit. It is the complete gratuity of the love of God which manifests itself and asks to be imitated in the community of those who call themselves disciples of Jesus.
• Matthew 18, 6-9: Do not scandalize the little ones. These four verses concerning the scandal to little ones are omitted from today’s Gospel. We give a brief commentary on them. To scandalize the little ones means: to be the cause for them to lose their faith in God and to abandon the community. Matthew keeps a very hard phrase of Jesus: “Anyone who scandalizes even one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a mill stone tied around his neck and then be thrown into the sea”. It is a sign that at that time many little ones no longer identified themselves with the community and sought another refuge. And today, in Latin America, for example, every year, approximately three million persons abandon the historical Church and go toward the Evangelical churches. This is a sign that they do not feel at home among us. What is lacking in us? Which is the cause of this scandal of the little ones? In order to avoid the scandal, Jesus orders to cut the foot or take out the eye. This phrase cannot be taken literally. It means that we should be very firm, strict in fighting against scandal which draws the little ones away. We cannot, in any way, allow that the little ones should feel marginalized in our community; because in this case, the community would not be a sign of the Kingdom of God.
• Matthew 18, 10-11: The angels of the little ones are in the presence of the Father. Jesus recalls Psalm 91. The little ones take Yahweh as their refuge and make the most High their fortress (Ps 91, 9) and because of this: “No disaster can overtake you, no plague come near your tent; he has given angels orders about you to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone” (Ps 91, 10, 12).
• Matthew 18, 12-14: The parable of the one hundred sheep. According to Luke, this parable reveals the joy of God on the conversion of a sinner (Lk 15, 3-7). According to Matthew, it reveals that the Father does not want that not even one of the little ones be lost. In other words, the little ones should be the pastoral priority of the Community, of the Church. They should be in the centre of the concern of all. Love toward the little ones and the excluded should be the axis of the community of those who want to follow Jesus; because it is in this way that the community becomes the proof of the gratuitous love of God who accepts all.
• The Gospel today gives the first part of the Discourse of the Community (Mt 18, 1-14) which has as key word “the little ones”. The little ones are not only the children, but also the poor persons, those who are not important in society and in the community, and also the children. Jesus asks that these “little ones” should always be the centre of the concern of the communities because “The Father in Heaven does not will that one of these little ones should be lost” (Mt 18, 14).
• Matthew 18, 1: The question of the disciples which provokes the teaching of Jesus. The disciples want to know who is the greater in the Kingdom. The simple fact of this question reveals that they had not understood anything or very little the message of Jesus. The whole Discourse of the Community, is in order to make them understand that among the followers of Jesus the spirit of service should prevail, the gift of self, of pardon, of reconciliation and of gratuitous love, without seeking one’s own interest and one’s own promotion.
• Matthew 18, 2-5: The fundamental criterion: the little one and the greater one. The disciples ask for a criterion so as to be able to measure the importance of the persons in the community: “Who is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus answers that the criterion are the littler ones! The little ones are not socially important; they do not belong to the world of the great. The disciples have to become children. Instead of growing up, to the heights, they must grow down and toward the periphery, where the poor and the little ones live. In this way, they will be the greater in the Kingdom! The reason is the following: “Anyone who receives one of these little ones receives me”. Jesus identifies himself with them. The love of Jesus for the little ones cannot be explained. Children have no merit. It is the complete gratuity of the love of God which manifests itself and asks to be imitated in the community of those who call themselves disciples of Jesus.
• Matthew 18, 6-9: Do not scandalize the little ones. These four verses concerning the scandal to little ones are omitted from today’s Gospel. We give a brief commentary on them. To scandalize the little ones means: to be the cause for them to lose their faith in God and to abandon the community. Matthew keeps a very hard phrase of Jesus: “Anyone who scandalizes even one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a mill stone tied around his neck and then be thrown into the sea”. It is a sign that at that time many little ones no longer identified themselves with the community and sought another refuge. And today, in Latin America, for example, every year, approximately three million persons abandon the historical Church and go toward the Evangelical churches. This is a sign that they do not feel at home among us. What is lacking in us? Which is the cause of this scandal of the little ones? In order to avoid the scandal, Jesus orders to cut the foot or take out the eye. This phrase cannot be taken literally. It means that we should be very firm, strict in fighting against scandal which draws the little ones away. We cannot, in any way, allow that the little ones should feel marginalized in our community; because in this case, the community would not be a sign of the Kingdom of God.
• Matthew 18, 10-11: The angels of the little ones are in the presence of the Father. Jesus recalls Psalm 91. The little ones take Yahweh as their refuge and make the most High their fortress (Ps 91, 9) and because of this: “No disaster can overtake you, no plague come near your tent; he has given angels orders about you to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone” (Ps 91, 10, 12).
• Matthew 18, 12-14: The parable of the one hundred sheep. According to Luke, this parable reveals the joy of God on the conversion of a sinner (Lk 15, 3-7). According to Matthew, it reveals that the Father does not want that not even one of the little ones be lost. In other words, the little ones should be the pastoral priority of the Community, of the Church. They should be in the centre of the concern of all. Love toward the little ones and the excluded should be the axis of the community of those who want to follow Jesus; because it is in this way that the community becomes the proof of the gratuitous love of God who accepts all.
4) Personal questions
• Who are the poorest persons of our neighbourhood? Do they
participate in our community? Do they feel at home or do they find in us a
cause to withdraw?
• God the Father does not want any of the little ones to get lost. What does this mean for our community?
• God the Father does not want any of the little ones to get lost. What does this mean for our community?
5) Concluding Prayer
Your instructions are my eternal heritage,
they are the joy of my heart.
I devote myself to obeying your statutes,
their recompense is eternal. (Ps 119,111-112)
they are the joy of my heart.
I devote myself to obeying your statutes,
their recompense is eternal. (Ps 119,111-112)
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