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SOMETHING TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT THIS WEEK
Faith manifests in different ways
In reading a piece about the last judgement a woman in her eighties wondered, ‘If God has forgiven me, why is there a judgement?’ I could understand her question. Taking some theological liberty, I said that the judgement after death was for God to say again to each of us that we are forgiven, and to remind us of the good we had done and had tried to do. Her reply was, ‘Consoling for the once baptised who have fallen away’. Was she thinking not of herself, but of her children, most of whom were not churchgoers? I think so. Many people’s religious questions often cloak a worry they have about others.
Many parents and grandparents worry about the lack of faith in their children and grandchildren. It is a deep sadness for a generation that did their best in handing on faith and practice. Some nuggets of wisdom can help: ‘Let God look after them, he loves them even more than you do’; ‘We all find our own way to God and in life’; ‘Their faith will come at its own time’. It is consoling to think that much goodness –kindness, love for the poor, prayer, care and compassion –is passed on by parents, even if the faith of a younger generation might be expressed differently.
Mary and Joseph wondered what had got into Jesus to run off and leave them worried and anxious. His answer, ‘I must be about my father’s business’, is relevant also for us. Many people are about their father’s business in different ways than I am, or a parent is. The important thing is that somehow, somewhere, we are, in trying to live the good life, ‘about our father’s business’!
Donal Neary SJ, The Sacred Heart Messenger, January 2021
We remember at this time...
Each of us is created in God’s image regardless of our beliefs, backgrounds, or circumstances. The Church upholds the inherent dignity of every human person, affirming that each of us is equal in God’s eyes. Let us remember to welcome migrants and those seeking refuge into our communities. God has told us that when we welcome the stranger we could be welcoming angels.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it”. Hebrews 13:2
Sacred Space – Daily Prayer for 25 Years
Sacred Space began in 1999 and has offered new content every day since then. You can learn more about Sacred Space on our About page, or if you are a regular, you can share your Sacred Space Story on our Feedback page. For our 25th anniversary, we are featuring stories from people for whom Sacred Space has played a special part in their lives. Please consider sharing your Sacred Space Story.
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