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St. Thomas à Becket Foundation |
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making a
difference |
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| 10th
March, 2008 |
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| Theme:
Making the World a Fairer Place |
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Reflection:
There is a story in the Gospel of Matthew about
people who arrive in heaven who are welcomed by God – the King –
who says to them: “Come on into my Kingdom you who are blessed,
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking
clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison
and you came to see me.” |
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The people are confused
and ask: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty
and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you
welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you? When did we find you sick
or in prison and go to see you?”
And the King answered, “In truth I tell you, in so far as you did
this to one of the least of these sisters or brothers of mine, you
did it to me.”
This is a truly powerful story. There are so many interesting
points to digest. One that springs to mind is that the person(s)
who are in prison are not said to be innocent. Another point of
interest is that these acts are not offered to honoured or great
people but are given to the least of my sisters or brothers. |
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Making the world a fairer place has been a popular focus of
charitable work in recent years for the poor throughout the world.
However we can contribute by bringing fairness to our own parishes
and communities. Feeding the hungry may seem an impossible task,
but this can be replaced by thinking of one person who needs a
little concern, care, love or attention… perhaps someone whom you
may normally ignore; maybe someone who lives alone or is housebound
(one of the least of my sisters or brothers).
Make a point of saying a kindly word or paying a visit. You
will be an instrument of God’s peace – and in so doing bring a
little more fairness to the world. |
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Readings:
Matthew
Ch 25 and Psalm 23 |
Mon:
Father, we pray for all those people who are involved in trying to
bring an end to Third World debt. May the great nations recognise
their sisters and brothers in the least nations and bring fairness
and justice to the lives of millions of people. Amen. |
Tues:
We pray for peace between nations. For peace in our country; for
peace in our towns; for peace in our homes; for peace in our
hearts. In Jesus Name. Amen. |
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Wed:
Lord, if I ever ‘build walls’, cutting people off or isolating
myself from the needs of others, alert me to what I am doing. Open
my eyes to see what unites people rather than what divides us. Show
me how to be inclusive and build bridges between people instead of
being exclusive and putting up walls that divide. We make this
prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Thurs:
God and Father of all people, never let me look down on others or
make anyone feel inferior. Show me how to remove any prejudices so
that I may appreciate individuals more for whom they are. Inspire
me to live in such a way that I may discover you in the people I
will meet today. Amen. |
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Fri:
Lord, may peace with justice come to our world, but let peace and
justice start with the way each of us lives this day. Amen. |
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