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Monthly Archives: April 2018
Gaudete et Exsultate The call to holiness in the world today.
‘Gaudete et Exsultate’, Pope Francis calls on us to ‘Rejoice and be Glad’
A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness, for “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess 4:3). Each saint is a mission, planned by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel.
Pope Francis launches his new exhortation
GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD
.I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile.
To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.
.This holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures. Here is an example: a woman goes shopping, she meets a neighbour and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. But she says in her heart: “No, I will not speak badly of anyone”. This is a step forward in holiness. Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams, and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love. That is another sacrifice that brings holiness. Later she experiences some anxiety, but recalling the love of the Virgin Mary, she takes her rosary and prays with faith. Yet another path of holiness. Later still, she goes out onto the street, encounters a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step.
Please download and read prayerfully the full text below. ENJOY
Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ..The call to Holiness.
For a detailed article that explains this wonderful exhortation follow this link…
https://laciviltacattolica.com/gaudete-et-exsultate-rejoice-and-be-glad/
SERVANT LEADERSHIP A Prayer by Declan
A colleague recently asked me if I had a reflection or prayer on Servant Leadership. I searched my files but didn’t find one. I have made a small attempt myself at writing what I believe lies at the core of servant leadership. I hope you may find it helpful Declan
Servant Leadership – a prayer
Lord as we thank you for the great gift of communion with you, we recall that at the Last Supper you rose from the table and taking a towel you set to washing the feet of your disciples. Having completed this task, the work of a servant or slave, you asked your disciples to imitate this action saying “If I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet”. Christian leadership is a leadership based on service. After the Resurrection, the Risen Jesus had breakfast with some of the disciples by the lakeshore. Simon Peter who as leader had failed his Master even denying he had ever known him, found himself reinstated to this task when Jesus told him “feed my sheep”. Christian leadership is about being called by the Master and following his example reaching out to those we meet in service, forgiveness and love. Lord like Simon Peter we are frail and all too human. Strengthen our resolve to be Easter people who through servanthood exercise Christian leadership believing that the Master comes to each of us in those we meet and serve each and every day, Amen.
4th Movement CSW 2018
In his homily at the last World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pope Francis spoke about howwe experience ‘homely gestures’ in our families, such as a hug at the e nd of a day, or a meal readywhen we arrive home. He then goes on to say the following:
“We Christians, the Lord’s disciples, ask the families of the world to help us! How many of us are here at this celebration! This is itself something prophetic, a kind of miracle in today’s world, which is tired of inventing new divisions, new hurts, new disasters. Would that we could all be prophets!
Would that all of us could be open to miracles of love to benefit our own families and all the families of the world, and thus overcome the scandal of a narrow, petty love, closed in on itself, impatient of others! I leave you with a question for each of you to answer – because I said the word ‘impatient’: at home do we shout at one another or do we speak with love and tenderness? This is a good way of measuring our love”
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