November 17. Sunday 33B.  WORLD DAY OF THE POOR message: “The prayer of the poor rises up to God.”  Fr Peter, first chose the message of the gospel where Jesus spoke of the great tribulation and that he will gather the elect from the ends of the earth.   He then also  included, as a warning, two message from the book of Daniel which referred to the final judgement. Some will wake to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame. But the piece that he emphasized most were the words, “those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever. He said, “I want to connect this passage with the importance of the healing ministry. Yes there are those involved in exorcism, others in deliverance but the healing ministry of ordinary lay men and women to care and support those who are depressed and dealing with loss is invaluable, as they are among the poor of the world. It is true that in daily life the majority of our suffering lies.  All families have to face losses and death at some stage and some will unfortunately suffer breakdown of some kind. Being the listening ear and the helping hand is recognised as being the work of God. 

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:1-3. Pope Francis: We are always capable of going out of ourselves towards the other. Turning our backs on a grieving family would show a lack of mercy, be the loss of a pastoral opportunity and close the door to other efforts at evangelisation. AL 253.  Eco-tip and prayer:  Creator God in this month of commemoration of loss and death comfort us in our pain and strengthen us in our understanding that you never abandon us and care for each of your creatures day by day.