Tag: unity

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Free lectio divina prayer guide: quarryapps.gumroad.com/l/jojqau

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 3:22-30)

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.”

The scribes say that Jesus drives out demons by the prince of demons and that he is possessed by Beelzebul, but Jesus refutes their argument, reducing it to absurdity. In the same way a house or kingdom cannot be divided and remain standing, Satan cannot rise up against himself and stand. Who speaks these words but the Jesus Christ in the trinitarian unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? The strong man Jesus refers to in the parable, the Holy Spirit, comes to dwell in the house of the body, where no evil can possess it. “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness,” Jesus says, “but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

God, you sent Jesus your Son to liberate all of humanity from the bondage of sin and evil. In this liberation, Jesus reconciles us to you and brings the hope of the resurrection, sharers in this gift. Right here at this moment in time, Jesus calls me by name to offer me the same. What is it to participate in the paschal mystery but to pick up my cross and follow him? In that unity with Christ, can I ever be broken from it except by my own free will? Help me, Lord, to remain in unity with you and make for the Holy Spirit an undivided place to dwell.

From the responsorial psalm: “Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” Father in heaven, protect the lives of the unborn and give us courage to fight for the protection of all human life, especially life in the womb.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:15-20)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Jesus teaches his disciples about the need for unity with the Father and reconciliation among one another among members of the Church and within the community. What he teaches speaks to relationships on earth as well as one’s relationship with God. “Amen, I say to you,” Jesus says, “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” His words guide us toward seeking resolution, forgiveness, and oneness with the Father.

God, help me understand and take in what you share with the disciples about resolving conflict and restoring unity. Whenever I am wronged by someone, help me remember first to address it privately with the person. “If he listens to you,” Jesus says, “you have won over your brother.” If conflict persists, in the witness and reflection of others, help me be willing to acknowledge any wrongdoing on my part and forgive as you forgive me. Give me the grace, Lord, to see as you see and free myself of anything that would bind me from belonging to you.

From the Gospel acclamation: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, And entreating to us the message of reconciliation.” Reconcile me to you, Lord of heaven and earth.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.