Regardless of which religion you belong to Muslim, Christian, Jewish, etc. you will discover that there are many ways you can connect with others who share your religion and are interested in perusing a relationship with you. You will find that this is an excellent way to begin dating, especially since it means that you already have something in common with your date. If you and your date were meant to be, he or she will recognize what is important to you, as you should them. Having one similar interest will help to create a solid conversation that is understood by both you and your date.
Another advantage that you have when dating another person from your religion is that you can:
Attend Celebrations/Ceremonies Together Since you share the same or similar religious background as your date, you may be interested in attending prayer services or other religious outings, and share in the traditions together.
Become a Member of Any Clubs or Groups - if your religious community has any activities or meetings, it might be a good idea for you and your date to attend and become involved in something that may not only bring you closer physically, but also spiritually.
On the other side of the coin, dating someone who is of a different religious background as you can also be quite the adventure. Although highly frowned upon in the past, more than ever, especially in the Western culture, people of different religions are dating and even marrying. Naturally, not everyone agrees with these proceedings, but when it comes to love, the only opinions that should matter is yours and your partner’s.
Therefore, regardless of whom you date, and what religion they follow, you can still keep up with the value and traditions that matter to you. Religious Dating Ideas
When Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, it can be both a joyful time and a solemn time. When Jewish persons go to synagogue during this time, they are often praying for forgiveness for their sins of the past year. This theme is stressed greatly just 10 days later, on Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Dinners during Rosh Hashanah are almost always joyful. The foods offered focus on the sweet, in hopes that those consuming the food will have a sweet New Year. Fruits, sweet vegetables and honey abound in Jewish dishes for Rosh Hashanah.
Many believe that these menu items were created for the kids who are celebrating.
Happiness = Honey
Custom on Rosh Hashanah sprinkles honey into the mix liberally. You can find many traditional recipes with honey, like honey cakes. Honey can often be found as a dip during this celebration, with items like apples and challah being dipped to start off the meal. Honey holds a deep meaning to Jews, as in the bible Israel is described as the “Land of Milk and Honey”. Honey symbolizes the good life, even today.
Sweet Future = Fruits
Apples dipped in honey are a common tradition during the Rosh Hashanah feasts. However, other fruits are often served during the meal. Fruit can appear anywhere, even in the main dish. Many fruits are served cooked, and fruits like prunes can even be cooked into a stew!
Wealth = Carrots
You will find carrots in the meals served for Rosh Hashanah since they represent prosperity. If you look at a bowl of carrot slices, they resemble a bowl full of gold coins. Recipes exist that use carrots as a garnish, as a main entrée and as a side dish for the Rosh Hashanah meal. Other vegetables you will often seen used are the sweet potato and summer squash. Many times these vegetables are sweetened even more with a honey glaze.
One of the most important things to remember as we study Christian inspiration is that when we are inspired we must use our inspiration for the glory of God and to do His will. Here are 4 steps to achieving success through Christian inspiration:
Recognize that everything we have is from God and that everything we do should be to glorify the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God gives us His Spirit and His inspiration to be used for His glory. Job says of God (the Ancient): “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.” (Job 12:12-13, KJV) God holds all the wisdom in the earth and only He can dispense of it.
Ask God for the inspiration that you need. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7, KJV) Before we can be given the wisdom of God and His inspiration, we must first ask Him for it. James tells us: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5, KJV)
Purpose to use the wisdom and Christian inspiration He gives you for His glory and His purpose. Once we are given wisdom and inspiration, we have a tremendous responsibility to use it prudently. Jesus Himself tells us: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Lk. 12:48b, KJV).
Practice using Christian inspiration. Once you have Christian inspiration, you must practice using it. Just like any skill we might learn, Christian inspiration is most effectively used long-term when we daily accept it. When you use the Christian inspiration you are given, you likely place yourself in an ideal position to receive future inspiration.
Now you have 4 basic steps to Christian inspiration. When you consistently apply these four steps, and spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on a daily basis, you will be able to tap into a nearly limitless supply of inspiration.
Here are the 4 different ways and avenues that demons can move in for an attack on someone - whether the person be a Christian or a nonbeliever. There are rules to the war games that are going on behind the scenes between God and the devil for all of our souls. To be forewarned is to be properly armed.
1. The first level is when demons move in for an attack with no real legal right to be able to do so. Satan had no legal right to be coming after Him, but he did anyway and Jesus drove him away by quoting the Word back to him.
2. The second level is when demons do have a legal right to be coming after you. And one of the ways that you give demons the legal right to be able to attack you is by crossing over and entering into some of the heavier sins and transgressions expressly forbidden by our Lord from His Word.
3. The third level is when demons attack as a result of what someone has may have done to you. Sometimes victims of crimes such as rape and assault, or receiving severe abuse from a parent or spouse can cause demons to try and move in to attach to the victim - trying to feed off the negative emotions of hate, anger, unforgiveness and wanting to get revenge on the attacker or abuser.
4. The fourth level is when demons will try and attach to someone as a result of a generational curse line coming from a severe sinning, dysfunctional parent or parents. For instance, an alcoholic father can end up producing children who end up becoming alcoholic themselves. Demons will attempt to jump and transfer from the father onto some of the children trying to get them to commit the same type of sin their parent had been committing.
As Christians, we have to have knowledge of our enemies and how they will try and attack us. Many Christians are getting defeated or taken home too early from this life as a result of not having some basic 101 knowledge in spiritual warfare.
The kinds of Father’s Day gifts you can give to Christian men are limited only by your imagination. Getting a gift for Father’s Day for Christian fathers is as simple as going to your local religious store, located in many malls and churches. Some great gifts you can share on Father’s Day for Christian fathers are:
The poem “Footprints” by Mary Stevenson (or Anonymous) – This is a very well-known religious poem that has been placed on items of every shape and size. From throw rugs to framed art, to plaques and picture frames, to bookends and pillows, “Footprints” is a story that can be appreciated by Christian fathers everywhere.
Bibles of every kind – This is a gift that will keep on giving, as Christian dads can find comfort within the pages of this uplifting book. For Father’s Day, you can find a bible with a leather cover, or personalize it with a special message created just for dad.
Crucifix Statues and Jewelry – These pieces of artwork will be appreciated everyday, around the house or at the office. Jewelry can be found in platinum, gold or silver, while statues can be found in bronze, gold, silver, glass and porcelain.
Religious T-Shirts – For everyday wear, these gifts are great for those fathers who like to announce to the world their love of God. With cross designs, religious figure designs and bible quotes, religious t-shirts are great on Father’s Day for Christian fathers.
V / God come to our aid.
R / Lord help us, Save us.
V / Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit:
R / As it was in the beginning, now and forever. Amen.
Let us stop and to review our day. Make an examination of conscience about how we wanted to take the knowledge of Christ to others.
Anthem
If I involves the dark night
And way over abysses of bitterness,
I fear nothing because the Light is it.
If I reap the storm
Then he goes to sleep in my boat,
I fear nothing because the peace is on me.
If I miss the desert
And I thirst for consumption and faint,
I fear nothing because the source is me.
If the insult me skeptical
And if I hate the wicked dead,
Not afraid because the life here.
If the friends me. leave
In paths of misery and orphans,
Not afraid because the Father is with me.
If I involves the dark night
And way over abysses of bitterness,
I fear nothing because the Light is it.
Psalmody
Antiphon
The Lord will cover you with his wings: not temerás the dread of the night.
Psalm 90
You living under the protection of the Most High *
and live in the shadow of the almighty,
says the Lord: ‘You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God, trust in You. ”
He rid you of the loop of the hunter *
and the evil scourge.
Will cover you with his feathers, *
under his wings you will find shelter. +
Their loyalty is shield and armor.
Temerás not the dread of night, *
nor the arrow that flies by day;
and the epidemic spreads in the darkness, *
nor the plague that spreads in the day.
May fall to your left one thousand and ten thousand at your right, *
you will not hit.
As you contemplate your own eyes *
and see the pay of sinners.
For the Lord is your refuge, *
the Most High your stronghold.
No bad happened, *
nor the disgrace will be brought to your tent,
He shall have their Angels *
keep you in all your ways.
In the palm of the hand you will, *
for not tripping on some stone.
You can walk on snakes and vipers, *
trample underfoot the lion and the dragon.
“I trusted in Me, I will save it; *
I will protect him because I knew the name.
When I plead, I will serve you, *
be with him in tribulation, +
I will release him and give him glory.
Encourage him with long life *
and show him my salvation.
Antiphon
The Lord will cover you with his wings: not temerás the dread of the night.
Reading Short Ap 22, 4-5
See the face of the Lord, and the name of the Lord is written on their faces. No more night there, not need the light from the lamp or the light of the sun, shining on them because the light of the Lord God, and reign for centuries of centuries.
Short response
V. In your hands, Lord, deliver my soul.
R. In your hands, Lord, deliver my soul.
V. Lord, faithful God, my Savior.
R. In your hands, Lord, deliver my soul.
V. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
R. In your hands, Lord, deliver my soul.
Benedictus
Praise the Lord, God of Israel *
Have visited and redeemed his people
And gave us a mighty Savior *
In the house of David, his servant,
As promised by the mouth of his saints, *
The prophets of ancient times,
To free us from our enemies *
And the hands of those who hate us
To show his mercy to our fathers, *
Recalling its holy alliance
And the oath that made to Abraham, our father, *
We had to give this grace:
The servant of a day, without fear, *
Free of the hands of our enemies,
In holiness and justice in their presence, *
Every day of our lives.
And you, boy, will be called Prophet of the Most High, *
Because you will to prepare to go their ways,
To make known to his people to salvation *
For the remission of their sins,
Thanks to the merciful heart of our God, *
What heights of the visit as Rising Sun,
To illuminate those who lie in darkness and the shadow of death *
And direct our steps in the path of peace.
Glory to the Father and the Son *
And the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, *
Now and forever. Amen.
Prayer
Humbly ask You, Lord, that, having concluded this day the mystery of the resurrection of your Son, you rest in peace, free from all evil, and again raised in joy in the morning to sing your praises. For our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, that God is with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
V. The Lord almighty give us a quiet night and end of life a holy death.
R. Amen.
Magnificat
My soul praise the Lord *
And my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
Why put in the eyes of your humble servant: *
From now on I call the Blessed all generations.
The Almighty has done wonders for me: *
Holy is his name.
His mercy extends from generation to generation *
On those who fear him.
He expressed the power of your arm *
And the superb dispersed.
Down the powerful from their thrones *
And exalt the humble.
Filled the hungry of goods *
And farewell to the wealthy empty-handed.
Welcomed to Israel, his servant, *
Reminded of his mercy,
As he had promised to our fathers, *
The Abraham and his descendants forever
Glory to the Father and the Son *
And the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, *
Now and forever. Amen.
17.04.09
POSTED BY: admin
The theme of this Sunday’s liturgy invites to reflect on the path of the Prophet “: path of suffering, of loneliness, of risk, but also path of peace and hope, because it is a path where God is. The liturgy of today provides the “prophet” that will always be the last word of God: “Fear not, because I am with to save you.”
The first reading gives the figure of the prophet Jeremiah. Chosen, consecrated and constituted by Jahwéh prophet, Jeremiah will confront with all sorts of difficulties, but not give to achieve its mission and become a living reality in the midst of men the Word of God.
The Gospel shows us the prophet Jesus, despised by the inhabitants of Nazareth (they expected a Messiah spectacular and not understood the proposal prophetic of Jesus). This episode announces the rejection of Jesus by the Jews and the announcement of the Good News to all who are willing to accept them - they are pagans or Jews.
The second reading seems somewhat desenquadrada this topic: talk about love - the love disinterested and free - presenting it as the essence of Christian life. You can, however, be understood as a warning to the “prophet” in order to let love and guided by their own interest … not the only way the mission will end.
READING I - Jer 1,4-5.17-19
Reading the Book of Jeremiah
At the time of Josiah, king of Judah,
the word of the Lord has directed me in these terms:
“Before you build the womb, I have chosen you;
before it went out of the bosom of your mother, I do devote
and constituted you prophet among the nations.
Just your kidneys and get up,
to go tell you everything that I ordered.
No issues before them,
but I you will be afraid of their presence.
Today I to you a fortified city,
a column of a wall of iron and bronze,
before this whole country, the kings of Judah and its leaders,
before the priests and the people of the earth.
They fight against you, but can not beat you,
because I am with you to save.
ENVIRONMENT
The activity of prophetic Jeremiah begins around 627/626 BC (when the prophet had just over twenty years) and extends it until after the fall of Jerusalem in the hands of the Babylonians (586 BC). The scenario of this activity is, in general, the kingdom of Judah (and especially the city of Jerusalem).
It is a very troubled time at the political level, whether at religious. Judah just left the reigns of Manasseh (698-643 BC) and Amon (643-640 BC), wicked kings in the country that multiplied altars to foreign gods and led the people to shun Jahwéh. At the time of Jeremiah began his prophetic ministry, the king of Judah and Josiah (640-609 BC): it is a good king, which seeks to eliminate the worship foreign gods and to focus the liturgical life of Judah in one place - the Temple of Jerusalem. However, the religious reform carried out by Josiah raises some resistance, on the other hand, is a reform that is more apparent than real: not by decree, and suddenly, correct the heart of the people and eliminate religious habits cultivated over dozens of years.
It is in this environment that Jeremiah is called by God and sent on mission.
MESSAGE
The text that is proposed in the report shows that Jeremiah makes his call by God. More than a story of the “moment” where God called the prophet, it is a reflection and a catechesis on the mystery always old and always new we call “vocation.”
The prophetic vocation, in the context of Jeremiah, is, first, an encounter with God and his Word (the word of the Lord has sent me … “- vers. 4). The word mark, from there, the life of the prophet and becomes, for him, the only thing decisive.
Secondly, the vocation is a divine purpose: it was God who chose, and was consecrated as a prophet Jeremiah. To say that God “chose” the prophet (literally, “known” - the verb “yada”), is to say that God, through their initiative, have always established a relationship with him close and intimate, so that the prophet, living the orbit of God, learn to discern the plans of God for men and the world. Saying that God has “the prophet means that God” aside “that” put the party “for his service. To say that God was “the prophet” to the nations “means that God gave him a mission, that mission has a universal scope. This, however, results of operation and the choice of God, is the initiative of God and not man’s choice.
In the second part of the text, we have the formal submission of the prophet. He must go “say what you ordered” without fear or servility, facing the great earth, armed only with the power of God. It is the definition of “prophetic way”, of the suffering, the risk, in solitude, in conflict with all who oppose the proposal of God. The reading ends today with a call for confidence: “can not beat you, because I am with you to save” - vers. 19).
Jeremiah’s life has, in full, the plan of God. The purpose and nonsense, Jeremiah denounced, criticized, demolished and destroyed, built and planted. There has been very successful: the family, friends, the people of Jerusalem, the authorities, the priests, you turned your back, marginalized him, pursued him and maltreated him. However, never renounced Jeremiah: God broke it so the life and passion for the Word of God “got it” so that the prophet lived until the end, with the utmost intensity, his mission.
UPDATE
Consider, for reflection, the following issues:
• The “prophets” are not a class of animals extinct for many centuries, but a reality that God continues to intervene to tell the world and to recreate the story. Who are today, the prophets? Where are they?
• In baptism, we were anointed as prophets, the image of Christ. We are aware of the vocation to which God called us all? We have the notion that we are the “mouth” through which the Word of God is addressed to men?
• The prophet is the man who lives in the eyes of God and looks to the world (the Bible in one hand, the other daily newspaper). Living in communion with God and felt the project that he has for the world and confronting this project with the human reality, a prophet to realize that distance is the dream of God to the reality of men. That is where he spoke on behalf of God, to denounce, to warn, to correct. We are these people, while in communion with God and given the realities that disad our world?
• The prophetic denunciation implies, many times, persecution, suffering, marginalization and, in many cases, death itself (Oscar Romero, Luther King, Gandhi …). How we deal with injustice and with everything that steals the dignity of men? The fear, the comfort, the sloth, were not ever to be prophets?
• In particular, situations in which I called, on the day, to practice my vocation prophetic?
SALM RESPONSORIAL - Psalm 70 (71)
Chorus: My mouth proclaim your salvation.
In Lord, my refuge,
never be confused.
For your justice, Save me and defend me,
prestai ears and release me.
Headquarters for me a safe haven,
the strength of my salvation.
You are my refuge and my defense:
God, Save me from sin.
You are Lord, my hope,
confidence since my youth.
From birth you my submission,
from the heart you are my mother protector.
My mouth proclaim your justice,
day after day your infinite salvation.
Since the youth you teach me
and even today announced when your miracles.
READING II - 1 Cor 12,31-13,13
Epístola First Reading of the Apostle to the Corinthians Sao Paulo
Siblings:
Aspirai burning with the highest spiritual gifts.
I’ll show you a path of perfection that surpasses all:
Even though I speak the languages of men and of angels,
if you have not charity,
I like bronze or a cymbal that echoes that retina.
While I have the gift of prophecy
and know all mysteries and all the science,
I still have the fullness of faith,
about to move mountains,
if you have not charity, I am nothing.
While distribute all my goods to the hungry
and given my body to be burned,
if you have not charity, of anything I enjoy.
Charity is patient, love is benign;
is not envious, not proud or haughty;
is inconvenient, is not seeking his own interest;
does not irritate, not guard resentment;
not pleased with the injustice,
but happy with the truth;
excuse everything, believes everything,
all waiting, all supports.
The gift of prophecy will,
the gift of tongues have to cease,
the science will disappear;
but the charity does not end ever.
So imperfect know,
so imperfect prophesied.
But when it comes to perfect,
which is imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, spoke as a child,
felt as a child and thought as a child.
But when I did man, who was left the child.
Now we see as a mirror and so confusing,
then we will see face to face.
Now, I know so imperfect,
then know how I am known.
Now these three things remain:
faith, hope and charity;
but most of all is charity.
ENVIRONMENT
Some call this text “the Song of Songs of the new alliance.” Also if you would, usually, the “hymn to love.”
At first glance, this “praise of love” may seem completely off a page from the previous (the discussion about the charisms). Indeed, this text presents clear affinities, both literary and thematic level, the preceding chapters, as well as the following chapters. Although we can remove this song from its context, without which it loses the meaning, the truth is that Paul wants to say here, no minced words and clearly and convincingly, that there is only one absolute charisma: love.
MESSAGE
First, it means that the love that Paul speaks here is the love (in Greek “agape”) as it is understood by Christians: the love is not selfish, seeking its own right, but the free love, disinterested, honest, fraternal, which is concerned with the other, suffering the other, seeking the good of another without expecting anything in return. Of such relationship, the Church was born - a community of living the “agape”.
Our text is in three stanzas. In the first (13,1-3), Paul argues that, without love, even the best things (the faith, science, prophecy, the distribution of alms for the poor) are empty and meaningless. Only love gives meaning to the life and the whole Christian experience.
In the second stanza (13,4-7), Paulo literariamente presents love as a person and suggests that he is the source and origin of all goods and qualities. Incidentally, Paul lists fifteen characteristics or qualities of true love: seven of these qualities are positively worded and eight others in a negative way, but they all refer to simple, everyday things, and we try to live every moment to anyone think that this “love” is something that relates only to the saints, the wise, the specialists.
The third stanza (13,8-13) provides a comparison between the love and the rest of charisms. The question is: this love that you said such beautiful things is imperfect, and lapsed time as the rest of charisma? This Love - Paul responds - do not ever disappear, do not ever change. He is the only thing perfect, will always remain so. It thus confirmed the superiority of love undisputed front of any charisma - however much that is appreciated by the Corinthians or any Christian community in the future.
UPDATE
To reflect, to take into account the following issues:
• The Christian love - that is, the unselfish love that leads by pure gratuity, to seek the good of another - is, according to Paul, the essence of Christian experience. This is the love that moves me? When I make something, share something, provide some service, it is this selfless attitude of pure gift?
• This shared love of siblings born to the community we call church. The love that unites the various members of our Christian community that is generous and disinterested love of which Paul speaks? When the Christian community is the scene of struggles of interests, jealous, selfish rivalries of that witness of love is giving?
ALLELUIA - Luke 4.18
Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Lord sent me to announce good news to the poor,
to proclaim the redemption of captives.
GOSPEL - Luke 4,21-30
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ the second St. Luke
At that time,
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue of Nazareth, saying:
‘He did it today
this passage of Scripture we have just heard.
All gave testimony in his favor
and admired the words are full of grace
that went out of his mouth.
And asked:
“This is not the son of Joseph?”
Jesus said to them:
“For sure I citareis the saying:
‘Doctor, you cure yourself. ”
Is also here in your land
heard what you did in Capernaum.
He added:
‘In truth I tell you:
No prophet is welcome in his hometown.
In truth I tell you
which had many widows in Israel in time of the Prophet Elias,
when the sky was shut for three years and six months
and there was a great famine throughout the land;
However, Elias was not sent to any of them,
but a widow of Sarepta, in the region of Sidonia.
There were many lepers in Israel in time of the prophet Elisha;
however, none was cured,
but the Syrian Naami.
When you hear these words,
all in the synagogue were furious.
There is, Jesus expelled the city
n’O and led them to the top of the hill
on which the city was built,
to the precipitate away below.
But Jesus, through them,
followed its path.
ENVIRONMENT
We are following the liturgy of the episode last Sunday has given us. Nazareth was Jesus entered the synagogue, was asked to read an excerpt of the Prophets and do comment … read a quote from Is 61,1-2 and “upgrade it”, using what the prophet said, to himself and its mission, “met up today this passage of Scripture we have just heard.”
The Gospel today gives the reaction of the inhabitants of Nazareth and the action to the words of Jesus.
MESSAGE
The episode is the synagogue of Nazareth, has already noted, an episode of “program” means not applicable Lucas describe in a coherent and logical one episode in particular happened in Nazareth for a visit time of Jesus, but the general outline of program that will meet the Messiah - lines that the rest of the Gospel will reveal.
The Program of Jesus is, as we saw last week (the text of Is 61,1-2 Jesus and the subsequent comments show it clearly), the submission of a proposal to release the poor, marginalized and oppressed. However, this “path” will not be understood and accepted by the Jewish people (ie “their land”), who are more interested in a Messiah and spectacular miracle. The “their” reject the proposal of Jesus and try to dispose of l’O (notice of death on the cross), but the freedom of Jesus beat the enemies (referring to resurrection) and evangelization following the path (passing through them, followed its path) to reach those who are truly prepared to welcome the salvation / release (reference to Elijah and Elisha that led to the pagans because his own people was not available to hear the Word of God).
This text program - it said, also, last week - Lucas announces the path of the Church: the Christian community become conscious that, in continuity with the path of Jesus, his mission is to bring the Good News to the poor and marginalized — as Elias did with a widow of Sarepta or as Elisha did a Syrian leper. If you go this way, the church live in fidelity to Christ.
UPDATE
The debate on this text may consider the following questions:
• “No prophet is welcome in his hometown.” The inhabitants of Nazareth judge know Jesus, saw-n’O grow, know how to identify their family and their friends but actually did not realize the depth of your mystery. This is a superficial knowledge, theory, which does not lead to a proposal to join the real Jesus. Indeed, it is a situation that can not be totally surprised us: every day with Jesus, we are able to talk about it a few hours, but its proposal has an impact on us and transform our existence?
• “It is also here on earth what we have heard that you did in Capernaum” - ask the people of Nazareth. This is the attitude of Jesus who demand to see your show or to solve their personal problemazinhos. Assumes the perspective of a trader God, whom we approach for doing business. What is our God? The God of whom we hope to show our support, or the God who in Jesus gives us a firm offer of salvation that we must achieve in life day to day?
• As in the first reading, the Gospel offers us a reflection on the path of the prophet “is a path where you read, permanently, with incomprehension, with solitude, with the risk … However, a path that God calls us to walk in faithfulness to his Word. We have the courage to follow this path? The “mouths” of others, that the criticism hurt, loneliness and abandonment, ever prevented us to fulfill our mission that God entrusted us?
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 4th SUNDAY OF COMMON TIME
(adapted from “Signes d’aujourd’hui)
1. A WORD Medit throughout the week.
Over the days of the week before the 4th Sunday of Common Time, try meditating on the Word of God this Sunday. Medit it personally, one reading in each day, for example … Choose a day of the week for Meditation Community of the Word: a group of the parish, a group of priests, a group of ecclesial movements, in a religious community … Building, above, a full week to live in the Word of God.
2. THE ASSEMBLY, ONE PEOPLE OF BROTHERS.
The famous ode to love of Paul, that the second reading gives us to meditate, it is important as the love between brothers … in the House! It is there that should happen first the attention to the other, the host of others, respect for the other. To paraphrase St. Paul, could say: “We can sing the most beautiful songs in the world, but if we lack the brotherly love, we are nothing!” At Mass, Christ manifests his presence: in his words, in the species of bread and wine , in the person of the priest and the assembly gathered in his name! Does an assembly, whose members are behaving as “unknown”, truly expresses the presence of the Lord of Life?
3. PRAYER IN lectio divina.
In the meditation of the Word of God (lectio divina), one can extend the host of the readings with prayer.
At the end of the first reading:
“God, You know we better than anyone, that Thou art our strength and you’re on trial with us to free ourselves, we give you thanks.
We ask you for all the prophets of today, by those who resist the powerful claims to respect the poor and the weak, for those who show the world the way of life fairer and more liberating. ”
At the end of the second reading:
“Father, we give you thanks for your infinite love, which we revealed in Jesus, your Son, He had patience, the service was not sought for their interest, all endured, I did-confidence at all.
We recommend you all Christian families: fill them with your Spirit of love, as you call us in the celebration of marriages. ”
At the end of the Gospel:
“God faithful and patient, be blessed by the message of grace coming from the mouth of thy Son Jesus. We bless Thee that the prophets sent once the pagans, because you want to salvation and happiness of all men.
We ask you in our towns, where the Christian message causes the same opposition and rejection that once in Nazareth. That your spirit sustains our faith. ”
4. TICKET OF GOSPEL.
Jesus does not leave anyone indifferent. Their compatriots admire it, surprised himself with his education, get angry, try to expel them from the city … But in Nazareth that Jesus begins his preaching. People know who he is, knows his profession, his family, but ignore its mystery. How could he imagine that comes from God who is the Son of God? It is the time of trial so that your eyes are open, the eyes of faith put to the test by the death and resurrection of his compatriot. And we see it well throughout the Gospel, are those who never imagined that anyone will make act of faith and enjoy the words and gestures of salvation of the Son of God. As the prophets Elijah and Elisha, Jesus expresses that God loves all men, who came to bring salvation is offered to all humanity.
5. LISTEN TO THE WORD.
We know how the crowds are versatile. Just see the attitude of the crowd in Jerusalem: now welcomes Jesus, now asks for more. The same is true versatility with the inhabitants of Nazareth. Reactions have different questions and is therefore familiar with the family identity of Jesus. Jesus moves in their education and makes reference to two episodes of the Old Testament, in the time of Elijah and Elisha: the general and the Syrian foreign widow who benefit from saving gestures of God and not the children of Israel! In other words, says that the inhabitants of Nazareth are like their ancestors: not receiving the time of the visit of God. Admiration of the inhabitants are hatred. And we today? Interroguemo us about our attitude to Jesus: the word surprised you? Put aside their words in that cause, not to put in question? Prefer to stay in our quiet?
6. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER.
You can choose the Eucharistic Prayer II, whose topics are in harmony with the Gospel.
7. WORD FOR THE WAY …
In the hymn of Paul that we read this Sunday and is one of its most famous pages, the apostle tells us “a way superior to all other”: not the path of love, passion, not the path of love, friendship, but the path of love-love: the way of agape. And to speak of love, instead of giving definitions, it shows it in action and uses 15 verbs: be patient, serve, not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud of, etc.. This song brings us to ignite us … but forbids us to dream: these 15 verbs are verbs for action! A suggestion: read this text, changing “love” with “Christ.” The agape love which is Christ in us!
