Reflection text
This week’s service was prepared by a group of brothers and sisters from the Community in Tigery.
Excerpt from the Apostolic Exhortation “DILEXI TE” – “I Have Loved You” of the Holy Father LEO XIV
(§ 119-121)
“we Christians must not abandon almsgiving [. . . ] It will not solve the problem of world poverty, yet it must still be carried out, with intelligence, diligence and social responsibility. For our part, we need to give alms as a way of reaching out and touching the suffering flesh of the poor.
Christian love breaks down every barrier, brings close those who were distant, unites strangers, and reconciles enemies. It spans chasms that are humanly impossible to bridge, and it penetrates to the most hidden crevices of society. By its very nature, Christian love is prophetic: it works miracles and knows no limits. It makes what was apparently impossible happen. Love is above all a way of looking at life and a way of living it. A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today.
Through your work, your efforts to change unjust social structures or your simple, heartfelt gesture of closeness and support, the poor will come to realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: “I have loved you” (Rev 3:9).”
Intercessions
1. In many countries, such as France, freedom of religion is regularly questioned: Christians find themselves threatened and some are even attacked by extremists, by journalists, and even by the government.
Lord, grant courage and perseverance to persecuted Christians across the world. May their unwavering testimony of faith bring peace to the heart of a divided world, prey to so much violence.
2. Sarah Mullally, formerly the Anglican Bishop of London, was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury at the beginning of October. She is the first woman to hold this post in the Anglican Church and as a result, becomes the Primate of the Anglican Communion, which is threatened by discord caused by many opposing currents.
Lord, give her the strength needed in her ministry to face these tensions. May she always be able to seek peace and unity among the member churches of the Anglican Communion and more broadly, among all different Christian confessions.
3. In France, as in many other European countries, a great number of churches, and chapels, especially Catholic ones, are lent to small Christian communities—evangelical, Orthodox, or Eastern Rite—who make the request. This loaning of churches for worship gatherings is a testament to the fraternal solidarity and Christian presence in our society.
Lord, we give You thanks for this fruitful collaboration between the Catholic Church and other Christian communities. May all who search for a place of worship find a warm welcome at a place adapted to their needs so that Your name may be praised.
4. On October 4th, Pope Leo XIV published his first apostolic exhortation titled “Dilexi te” – “I Have Loved You” (Rev 3:9). Continuing the teaching of his predecessor Pope Francis, this text, addressed to people of good will, focuses on love toward the poor of the world.
Lord, may every Christian open their eyes and heart to questions of social justice so that we can together “foster a concrete commitment on the part of all humanity to solving the immense problem of poverty in the world” (§84).