Invitation
May I draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation is intended to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Reflection
Prayer requires openness and trust. We must let someone in and give them insight into what we would sometimes rather keep in the dark. We must then surrender ourselves and make room for the other person, so that they can speak and we can listen. However, God’s Word does not only want to be heard, but also answered. Jesus has given us the words to do so: Our Father. It teaches us to say yes to God without reservation. All human suspicion, all refusal, all isolation is overcome in that yes. In this way, the Father finds in us people who are fully open to his love. Do we entrust ourselves to that love?
FIRST READING Isa. 55, 10-11
My word shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I desire and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
From the Prophet Isaiah
Thus says the Lord God:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there
and fertilised it so that it becomes green,
when they have given seed to the sower
and bread to the eater,
so shall it be with the word
that comes from my mouth;
it shall not return to me fruitless;
it shall return only when it has accomplished my will
and fulfilled its mission.”
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 34(33), 4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
The Lord listens to the devout who call upon Him
and saves them from every distress.
Glorify the Lord together with me
and let us honour His Name in unity.
I went to the Lord and He heard me,
He saved me from all my fears.
Put your trust in Him, and you will be happy,
for He will not disappoint you.
The Lord hears those who cry out in distress
and saves them from their misery.
The Lord’s eye is on the godly,
His ear is attentive to their pleas.
He turns His face away from evildoers,
they are forgotten on earth.
The Lord listens to the godly who call upon Him
and saves them from every distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted,
he helps those who acknowledge their guilt.
VERSES BEFORE THE GOSPEL Mt. 4, 4b
Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GOSPEL Mt. 6, 7–15
You must pray like this.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you pray,
do not use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do;
for they think
that they will be heard for their many words.
“Do not be like them,
for your Father knows what you need
before you ask him.
“You should therefore pray like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you;
but if you do not forgive men,
neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.”
Laudato Si
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care for Our Common Home
38. We recall, for example, the lungs of the planet, which are rich in biodiversity, such as the Amazon and the Congo River basin, or the great aquifers and glaciers. The importance of these places for the whole planet and the future of humanity is well known. The ecosystems of tropical forests have a biodiversity of great complexity, which is impossible to fully understand, but when these forests are set on fire or razed to the ground for cultivation, the consequences are devastating.
Increase crop production, countless species are lost within a few years or these areas are turned into arid deserts.
However, a delicate balance is required when discussing these places, because one cannot ignore the enormous international economic interests that, under the pretext of increasing crop production, are destroying the planet’s ecosystems.
However, a delicate balance is required when discussing these places, because one cannot ignore the enormous international economic interests that, under the pretext of protecting them, could endanger national sovereignty. Indeed, there are proposals to internationalise the Amazon region, which only serve the economic interests of multinationals.
The commitment of international organisations and non-governmental organisations is commendable.
“proposals for the internationalisation of the Amazon region, which
only serve the economic interests of multinationals”.
The efforts of international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to raise awareness among the people and to work together critically, using legal means of pressure to ensure that each government fulfils its own and non-delegable means of pressure, so that each government fulfils its own and non-delegable task of protecting the environment and natural resources of its own country without selling out to dubious local and international interests.
To be continued
Every day at 1am
The Bible text in this publication is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
© Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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