7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

THE COUPLE THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

 Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 February 19^th – 25^th 2023

 The Lord is compassion and love

Jesus said to his disciples: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be children of your Father in heaven.” In this statement, we have the ultimate commandment and challenge of Jesus. It is the call to love at least as much when things are not going well as we love when everything is good. This has all kinds of implications for us in the three important relationships of faith: marriage, family and faith community. In marriage, it is so important not to let things fester but to sort out any difficulties immediately. The temptation is to keep it going and hurt one another even more. In family life, it is so easy to let our feelings dictate how we relate to other members rather than make a decision to love them and to get over any differences we might have with them. In the wider community, we also are called to see the good rather than the not so good in those with whom we worship.

Morning Prayer, when together

Father, keep before us the wisdom and love

you have revealed in your Son.

Help us to be like him in word and deed.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

During the day, when apart

Lord, as we offer our married love to you

may we live our lives in Spirit and truth

and so, come to eternal life.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Evening/Night Prayer together

Almighty God, help us to live the example of love

that is given to us in Jesus your Son.

May we come, through our marriage, to its fulfillment in your presence.

We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.

Questions for Action for the week

For your marriage: In what ways could you contribute more to your sexual relationship with your wife/husband?

Talk about that this week

For others: Think of some group that is engaged in reconciliation of any kind.

How could you help them this week?