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Day Six of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.👩🍳Hospitality👨🏾🍳: Show unusual kindness 💜
That's what Day 6 of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites us to.
Today's readings:
Acts 28:1-2, 7 “After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it… Now in the neighbourhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.”
Read also: Psalm 46; Luke 14:12-24
Reflection:
After the traumas and conflicts of the storm at sea, the practical care offered by the islanders is experienced as an unusual kindness by those washed up on the shores. Such kindness demonstrates our common humanity. The Gospel teaches us that when we care for those in distress we are showing love to Christ himself (cf. Matthew 25:40). Furthermore, when we show loving kindness to the weak and dispossessed we are attuning our hearts to the heart of God in which the poor have a special place. Welcoming outsiders, whether they be people of other cultures or beliefs, immigrants or refugees, is both to love Christ himself, and to love as God loves. As Christians, we are called to step out in faith and reach out with God’s all-embracing love, even to those we find difficult to love.
This is a beautiful meditation rooted in "Laudato Si.'
A Cathedral Not Made by Hands | Commonweal Magazine
www.commonwealmagazine.org
In an old-growth forest, everything is connected. No individual plant or animal, and indeed no species, is an island. As Pope Francis warns, we should pay attention.Highly recommend. The article in the print issue is excellent.
The Annual Meeting of the Corporation and Special Meeting of the Congregation: Session has set the date for the Annual Meeting of the Corporation to be Sunday, February 2 after the 9:30 a.m. worship service. The Corporation Meeting includes the annual review of church financial matters, the report of the Membership Rolls for 2019 and other appropriate business matters. Session has also called a Special Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, February 2 just after the Annual Corporation Meeting, for the purpose of approving the Proposed Change in Terms of Call of the Pastor. The meeting materials will be available this Sunday, January 26 in the narthex so you can read them before the meeting.
Day 4 of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity."Trust: Do not be afraid, believe"
That's the theme for Day 4 in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Today's readings:
Acts 27:23-26
“For the last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we will have to run aground on some island.”
Read also:
Psalm 56
Luke 12:22-34
Reflection:
In the midst of the tempest Paul’s encouragement and hope contradicted the fear and despair of his fellow travellers. Our common call to be disciples of Jesus Christ entails being a sign of contradiction. In a world riven with anxieties, we are called to stand as witnesses to hope by placing our trust in God’s loving providence. Christian experience shows us that God writes straight on crooked lines, and we know, against all odds, we will not drown or be lost. Because God’s steadfast love endures for ever.
