"Each
moment can be the auspicious 'today' of our conversion. Each day can be the
salvific 'today' because salvation is a continuous story for the Church and for
each of Christ's disciples. This is the Christian meaning of 'carpe diem';
seize the day that God calls on you to offer you salvation." These were
the words that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI addressed to the faithful
gathered on 27 January 2013 in Saint Peter's Square to pray the Angelus.
Our
Holy Father commented on the Gospel where St. Luke speaks of Jesus' presence in
the synagogue of Nazareth on a Saturday. "As an observer believer, the
Lord does not avoid the weekly liturgy rhythm and joins in with the assembly of
his fellow countryman to pray and listen to the Scriptures. The rite called for
a reading from the Torah or from the Prophets, followed by a commentary. That
day, Jesus rose to read and found the passage from the prophet Isaiah that
begins: 'The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed
me; He has sent me to bring Good News to the afflicted.'" On finishing the
reading, "in an attentive silence, Jesus says: 'Today this scripture
passage is fulfilled in your hearing.' "
"This
Gospel passage also challenges us 'today'. Firstly, it makes us think of our
way of living Sunday; it is a day of family and of rest but even more, it is
the day that we dedicate to the Lord, participating in the Eucharist in which we
are nourished with the Body and Blood of Christ and with His life-giving Word.
Secondly, in our times of dispersion and distraction, this Gospel passage
invites us to ask ourselves about our ability to listen. Before we can speak of
God and with God, we have to listen to Him, and the Church's liturgy is the
'school' of this listening to the Lord who speaks to us."
For
more information, please visit:
http://www.news.va/en/news/angelus-living-sunday-as-the-lords-day
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On Sunday, January 27, three
thousand cities around the world prayed for peace in the Holy Land in the
context of the Fifth International Day of Intercession. For years, "the
people of Peace" make theirs the invitation of the Holy Father Pope Benedict
XVI, who continues to encourage the efforts of those who are working for peace.
The Pope encourages "to take bold decisions in favor of peace and put an
end to a conflict with negative repercussions throughout the Middle Eastern
region, troubled by too many fights and in need of peace and
reconciliation." The International Day of Intercession for Peace in Holy
Land "has become over the years a sign and inspiration for those who
really want to grow this strong desire that in Jesus’ land peace and justice
reign, which may be a sign of unity and growth throughout the world."
For more information, please visit:
http://www.news.va/en/news/asiaholy-land-on-sunday-the-prayer-for-peace-in-ho
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I rejoiced
when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
And now our
feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city, walled round about.
Here the tribes have come, the tribes of the LORD,
As it was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
Here are the thrones of justice, the thrones of the house of David.
For the
peace of Jerusalem pray: "May those who love you prosper!
May peace be
within your ramparts, prosperity within your towers." For family and friends I say, "May peace be yours."
For the house of the LORD, our God, I pray, "May blessings be yours."
PSALM 122
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| Rainbow over Jerusalem, October 2010 |
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Year of Faith Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
For complete details on this pilgrimage,
please contact: George’s International
Tours, (800) 566-7499, sales@georgesintl.com , or Karen Hurley,
k.m.hurley1@gmail.com.
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