Pope’s January Prayer Intention

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, January 13th 2023 Page 7 Pope’s Januar y prayer intention: For educator s

(Vatican News) - In his prayer intention for January, Pope Francis invites educators to add “fraternity” to the content of their teaching, noting that “educators are witness who impart not only their mental knowledge, but also their convictions, their commitment to life.” He added that education itself is an “act of love” that can show us the way “to recover a sense of fraternity, so we will not ignore those who are most vulnerable.” Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray “that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than confrontation, and helping especially the youngest and most vulnerable above all.”

In a press release accompanying the Pope’s first prayer intention for 2023, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer network explains that the Holy Father “wants to broaden the reach of education, so it will not be centred only on content.” As authentic witnesses, the Pope expresses his hope that educators will be able “to be heeded more attentively and will be builders of community.” Jesuit Father Frédéric Fornos, the Director of the Prayer Network, says that fraternity “is the only path for humanity, and this is why education is essential.” Emphasizing the importance of coherence between what is taught and the lives of those who teach, Fr Fornos points to Jesus, from whom we learn “that we can only communicate and transmit to others what we ourselves live.” This, he said, “requires coherence in our lives between what we say and what we do.” ❖

MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN Step 1: Look at today’s Readings prayerfully. 1st Reading: The prophet sees himself as God’s servant who has been chosen to bring, not only the people of Israel, but all people everywhere back to God. 2nd Reading: Paul greets the converts of Corinth in the opening of his first letter to them. He tells them that they are the church of God, the holy people who call on Jesus as Lord. Gospel: The role of John the Baptist is to be a witness to the true identity of Jesus. He presents Jesus as God’s Chosen servant who will take away the people’s sins and renew them in the Holy Spirit. Step 2: Applying the values of the Readings to your daily life. 1.Isaiah’s servant is to be the “light of the nations”. Do you see yourself as someone who can bring light to the world? What form would such a “light” take? 2.John the Baptist points out Jesus to us as the

‘Chosen One’ who takes away the sins of the world. What is your experience of Christ taking away your sins? 3.John the Baptist points out Jesus to us but there are many who have not seen or recognised him for what he is. How can we believers be witnesses like the Baptist in pointing him out to others who do not know him? 4.We are called to be servants, formed in the womb to be light to others. This sort of discipleship is urgently needed in the world today. But such discipleship can be costly. What do you think the cost would be to you? Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s Word in your life of faith. John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, the One who takes away our sins, who reunites us to the Father and who constantly calls us to be reconciled to one another. As disciples of Christ we are called to bring light to the world, to work towards removing the structures of sin which limit and destroy the human race and to help others overcome that which can cause their downfall. Step 4: Something to think & pray about 1.Apart from personal sin, there is also social sin such as racism and sexism. How do social sins like these affect our lives? 2.Victory over sin is not an easy thing to achieve.

We must expect to make what seems like little progress over our sinfulness. What is important is the struggle for goodness. Reflect on your own struggle against sin. 3.Pray for the ability to acknowledge your sins and the willingness to look to Jesus for help.❖