Let us pray especially for the Amoris Laetitia meeting in Rome at this time that it will contribute meaningfully to the Civilisation of Love.

October 11. SEE.  Sunday 28A.  Wedding Guests Before he began his homily Fr Teddy would look around his congregation and ask himself.  “Who is here or not here and why have they come?  How much do they value this banquet to which Jesus invites us all or am I in a way not making it wholesome enough for them?   Is it up to me or should these families of the parish themselves not be going out on Jesus’ behalf and inviting others to come to the banquet?  Maybe I will ask them if they see themselves as the invited guests, or the later uninvited guests or those sent out to look for others.  Maybe Pope Francis’ three areas of ministry and the synodality themes apply here: “communion, participation and mission.” 

JUDGE.  Reflect, share, Scripture.  And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good so the wedding hall was filled with guests.”  From Matt 22:1-14.  Pope Francis. There are three areas for ministry. 1. Ordinary pastoral ministry is to inflame the hearts of the regular faithful.   2. Ministry to the baptised who lack a meaningful relationship to the Church which tries to help them experience a conversion which will restore the joy of faith and a commitment to the gospel. 3. Evangelisation is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him. EG 14. Pope Leo: Today, we must resolutely recover the vision, of the civilization of love, no naïve utopia, but a demanding project, which consists in translating charity into structures of justice, giving institutional form to fraternity and regarding others — whether individuals or peoples — as allies necessary for building the common good. MH 186

Daily Prayer for Mission Month October, Year of St Francis and upcoming Local Elections in SA.  

Heavenly Father, during this Mission month, we praise and thank you for the gift of your love and the riches of your creation. As missionary disciples we answer your call to walk in the way of peace.  We lift up to you all leaders of nations. Grant them an open heart and a listening ear to hear the cries of the poor and the needy. Bless all missionaries, protect them from harm, strengthen their hearts in times of trial, and fill them with the joy of your Spirit. As we prepare for the elections and a renewal of society for the common good we acknowledge our shortcomings and faults. We hear the needs that call for help to build a united country under God, as a family of all the families of creation.  Mary, Mother of the Church and of the Rosary pray for us. St Francis, our model and patron saint of all of creation pray for us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen