Apostleship of PrayerJanuary, 2008
The Holy Father's General Intention:That the Church may strengthen her commitment to full visible unity in order to manifest in an ever growing degree her nature as community of love, in which is reflected the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The visible sign of unity is Charity. “If you see charity, you see the Trinity” wrote Saint Augustine. In this reflection we shall focus our attention on the Pierced one, recognizing the plan of the Father who, moved by love sent His only-begotten Son into this world to redeem human kind. By dying on the cross Jesus gave up his Spirit, anticipating the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would give after the Resurrection. The spirit is that interior power which harmonizes our hearts with Jesus’ heart and moves us to love our neighbour as Jesus loves them.
This Spirit of love is the energy which transforms the heart of the Church and is the source of unity. It becomes a witness before the world to the love of the Father, who wishes to have the human community in a single family in his Son. Hence the entire activity of the Church is to be an expression of a love that seeks visible expression in the community of human kind. This spirit seeks to promote activities of all people in all areas of life to be a manifestation of the Father’s love. Love is, therefore, to be that service which unites all people together. This service of Charity is to reflect the communion that is within God, the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
His Mission intention:That the Church in Africa, which is preparing to celebrate her second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, may continue to be the sign and instrument of reconciliation and justice in a continent which is still marked by war, exploitation and poverty.
Indeed, “for the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being” (Deus caritas est, n. 225). It is delightful that priests, consecrated persons and many other charitable agencies carry out in various Ecclesial Communities, Christian Living Communities develop many ways to share in their concern for charity in the service of the least, making themselves credible witnesses of the Love Jesus bears them, Therefore we urge all Christians to work for the unity of the People of God and to do their utmost to create a people of brothers and sisters, assembled by the message of Jesus and also urged by Him to work for charity in this world.
It is so important that we all pursue the demanding task of implanting the Gospel in our various cultures. Hence we need to respect the wealth that abides in all cultures but then we have to purify them of everything that is incompatible with the truth of the Gospel.
Let us therefore pray for the Church in Africa so that the Lord will inspire the people there to be a sign and instrument of reconciliation and justice, in a continent that is plagued by war, exploitation and poverty. The beginning for all of us to strive for charity in our own very lives and so be a witness and sign to those around us.
Vince Hurley, S.J.
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