October 29. SEE.  “What is going on in the Middle East and Israel, Gaza and even in Jerusalem is really frightening.  It does seem that Jews and Christians are on the way out and radical Jihadist Muslim are threatening to take over that part of the world. But some of us still hold on to the belief that this land is God’s gift to us, where God is present in a special way.  Jesus himself could foresee the destruction of Jerusalem in his day.  What about today?  Have we listened to the “prophets” of our time and are they genuinely persons of integrity?”  A rabbi, a priest and an imam shared their thoughts with one another. “We still dream of a “homeland” for our Family of God,” Rabbi Jenkowitz shared.  Fr Meindl responded, “Jesus was on a mission to heal & free people from all evil. His task was to end in Jerusalem. Are we Christians, really taking that mission of Jesus upon ourselves?   The imam  sighed and added, “we’re not all terrorists. We are looking for a permanent home for us, Palestinian people, who have been part of this land too.” “we need the wisdom of Solomon to resolve our situation.” They prayed together for a new vision of equality, justice and peace for the country they love.

JUDGE. Reflect, share, Scripture. O Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you!  Luke 13:31-35. Pope Francis: In my fraternal meeting with the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb we resolutely declared that religions must never incite war, hateful attitudes, hostility and extremism, nor must they incite violence or the shedding of blood.  These tragic realities are the consequence of a deviation from religious teachings, but result from political manipulation of religions. FT 285.   Pope Leo: I invite everyone to cherish places and times where physical presence remains crucial, such as shared meals, Christian community gatherings, time spent with the lonely and serving the poor. These are signs of a humanity that continues to believe that every person’s body is a dwelling place of God and a temple of the Holy Spirit. It is precisely this covenant between glory and fragility that becomes the criterion for evaluating the anthropological models offered by contemporary culture.  MH239

A 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