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SOMETHING TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT THIS WEEK
Burdens
Most people carry burdens of one kind or another, very often imposed by others. Jesus is clear that our relationship with God is not intended to be another burden on a burdened people. Among the burdens Jesus carried was that imposed by those who were hostile to all he stood for. He was at his most burdened as he hung from the cross. He carried that burden so that he could help us to carry our own burdens. Through his life, death and resurrection, he released into the world the power of God’s love, the power of the Holy Spirit, a lifegiving, enabling power. Saint Paul was burdened as he wrote to the church in Philippi from his prison cell. Yet he could say, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13). The Lord strengthens us to carry our burdens so that we can help to carry those of others. As Paul writes to the churches of Galatia, ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:2). The law of Christ, which is the law of love, the fruit of the Spirit, is not about imposing burdens but about lifting them.
Martin Hogan, The Word is Near You, on Your Lips and in Your Heart
We remember at this time...
We pray for our newly elected Pope Leo IV that his reign as Vicar of Christ will be marked by humble service to God’s people, as one of his pontifical titles, Servant of the Servants of God, so fittingly expresses.
We echo his heartfelt appeal for peace, taking up his cry with conviction, “never again war!”
Pope Leo has chosen as his motto a phrase deeply rooted in his Augustinian tradition: “In the One, we are one.”
This powerful statement finds its source in Saint Augustine’s reflection on Psalm 127:
“Christ – head and body – is one single man. And what is the body of Christ? His Church. Although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one. We are many and we are one – because we are united to Him, and if our Head is in heaven, the members will follow.”
We are called to live as one body in Christ. May our actions each day spur us towards that divine unity.
Sacred Space – Daily Prayer for 25 Years
Sacred Space began in 1999 and has offered new content every day since then. You can learn more about Sacred Space on our About page, or if you are a regular, you can share your Sacred Space Story on our Feedback page. For our 25th anniversary, we are featuring stories from people for whom Sacred Space has played a special part in their lives. Please consider sharing your Sacred Space Story.
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