FEAST OF SAINTS FRANCISCO AND JACINTA MARTO – 20th FEBRUARY
February 20, 2023
FEAST OF SAINT PETER DAMIAN – 21st FEBRUARY
February 21, 2023
20 February, 2023
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. – Matthew 10:16
Heavenly Father, you are the God of our Salvation and we believe that our Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord, was sent by you to save us and give us the eternal life you had always intended us to have. Jesus preached the good news of your Kingdom and imparted to us the truth, the Word of God, not just that we follow and imbibe its values to gain access to eternity, but also to spread this news, drawing others to you.
We have been commissioned to lead others to the truth by propagating the Kingdom of God to everyone we can approach. This involves gearing ourselves with the knowledge of the Word and the courage to face whatever trials and troubles threaten us, as we are bound to meet opposition, just as Jesus’ apostles did, who suffered martyrdom as a consequence of their mission.
As Christians, we have been taught that just as Jesus suffered, died on the Cross and so paid the debt of our sins with his Blood, we too must be ever ready to defend our faith from persecutors, who, like wolves, are waiting for the sheep to falter and be caught as prey. Jesus cautions us to use dexterity in executing our task and achieving our goal, bearing in mind that predators are around us. Lord God, assist us in furthering your Word, with determination, skill and righteous zeal and purity of spirit in the Name of Jesus our Lord. Amen
