the e-Testament
Scripture
Mark 13:33-37
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”
Reflection
There are some Sundays in the year that the Church gives a particular focus to, and this Sunday we think especially about Migrants.
One of Pope Francis' first trips after becoming Pope was to a small island called Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea, a place where huge amount of people fleeing their homes tried reach to find safety in Europe.
When he was there he spoke about how migrants are all our brothers and sisters, and that we cannot ignore their suffering, and he said this all from behind a lectern made from bits of broken boats that had washed up on the shore, the boats of those who didn't make it.
Chris Knowles
Salesian Volunteer & Charity Worker
Prayer
God,
No one is a stranger to you and no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness watch over migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, those separated from their loved ones, those who are lost and those who have been exiled from their homes.
Bring them safely to the place where they long to be, and help us always to show your kindness to strangers and those in need.
ist our Lord, who too was a refugee and migrant who travelled to another land searching for a home.
Amen
[SOURCE: Nouwen Network]