GEBED IEDERE DAG

Memory of the Church
Woord van god elke dag

Memory of the Church

Prayer for the unity of the Churches. Particular memory of the ancient Churches of the Orient. (Syrian Orthodox, Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopic and Syrian from Malabar) and of the Assyrian Church. Lees meer

Libretto DEL GIORNO
Memory of the Church
Thursday, January 20

Prayer for the unity of the Churches. Particular memory of the ancient Churches of the Orient. (Syrian Orthodox, Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopic and Syrian from Malabar) and of the Assyrian Church.


Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I am the good shepherd,
my sheep listen to my voice,
and they become
one flock and one fold.
.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

1 Samuel 18,6-9; 19,1-7

On their return, when David was coming back from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel singing and dancing to meet King Saul, with tambourines, sistrums and cries of joy; and as they danced the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands. Saul was very angry; the incident displeased him. 'They have given David the tens of thousands,' he said, 'but me only the thousands; what more can he have, except the throne?' And Saul watched David jealously from that day onwards. Saul let his son Jonathan and all his servants know of his intention to kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, held David in great affection; and Jonathan warned David, 'My father Saul is looking for a way to kill you, so be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding, stay out of sight. I shall go out and keep my father company in the countryside where you will be, and shall talk to my father about you; I shall see what the situation is and then tell you.' Jonathan spoke highly of David to Saul his father and said, 'The king should not harm his servant David; far from harming you, what he has done has been greatly to your advantage. He took his life in his hands, he killed the Philistine, and Yahweh brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw for yourself. How pleased you were! Why then sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?' Saul was impressed by Jonathan's words. Saul swore, 'As Yahweh lives, I will not kill him.' Jonathan called David and told him all this. Jonathan then brought him to Saul, and David remained in attendance as before.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The text opens with one of the most beautiful descriptions of friendship found in the Bible, the one between David and Jonathan. From their first meeting the two feel immediately "connected" to each other for life. Their friendship reaches a level where they identify with one another. This is the meaning of the "covenant" established between them. Jonathan giving his clothes and armour to David is demonstrating more than just a generous act on the part of a prince toward the young pastor who has neither clothes appropriate for the court nor armour suitable for battle. Jonathan recognizes himself in David in an everlasting bond. Saul also delights in David for his success in the military missions he continues to give to him. The young leader's fame grows increasingly larger. Sau, caught by strong feelings of jealousy, begins to think that David could be a threat; he thinks that the young warrior may dethrone him. Saul, however, needs David because he is the only one who helps him in his illness. But jealousy gnaws at him and he starts having homicide thoughts: first he tries to kill David while he is playing to alleviate his pain. Subsequently, he sends David on more dangerous missions that result only in bringing David more success, in gaining more favour from the people. By now, Saul is convinced that David is an intolerable threat. If earlier he wanted to try to eliminate him discreetly, now he wants to do it openly. Envy blinds people: not only it prevents from seeing goodness but also transforms everything in hatred to the point of eliminating those who, like in this case, do nothing but good. Thanks to the friendship with Jonathan, God prevents in any way Saul from accomplishing his plan. This story reminds us of what Paul wrote to the Romans: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:21)>

WOORD VAN GOD ELKE DAG: DE KALENDER

Het gebed is het hart van het leven van de Gemeenschap van Sant’Egidio. Het is haar eerste “werk”. Aan het einde van de dag komt elke Gemeenschap, of die nu klein of groot is, samen bij de Heer om het Woord te beluisteren en zich tot Hem te richten in het gebed. De leerlingen kunnen niet anders dan aan de voeten van Jezus zitten, zoals Maria van Bethanië, om het “betere deel” te kiezen (Lc 10, 42) en van Hem zijn gezindheid te leren (vgl. Fil 2, 5).

Elke keer dat de Gemeenschap zich tot de Heer richt, maakt ze zich die vraag eigen van de anonieme leerling: “Heer, leer ons bidden!” (Lc 11, 1). En Jezus, meester in het gebed, antwoordt: “Wanneer jullie bidden, zeg dan: Abba, Vader”.

Wanneer we bidden, ook in de geslotenheid van ons eigen hart, zijn we nooit alleen of verweesd. Integendeel, we zijn leden van de familie van de Heer. In het gemeenschappelijk gebed wordt naast het mysterie van het kindschap, ook dat van de broederschap en zusterschap duidelijk.

De Gemeenschappen van Sant’Egidio, verspreid over de wereld, verzamelen zich op de verschillende plaatsen die gekozen zijn voor het gebed en brengen de hoop en het verdriet van de “uitgeputte en hulpeloze mensenmenigte” waarover het Evangelie spreekt (Mt 9, 37) bij de Heer. Deze oude menigte omvat de inwoners van onze hedendaagse steden, de armen die zich bevinden in de marge van het leven, en iedereen die wacht om als dagloner te worden aangenomen (vgl. Mt 20).

Het gemeenschappelijk gebed verzamelt de schreeuw, de hoop, het verlangen naar vrede, genezing, zin en redding, die beleefd worden door de mannen en vrouwen van deze wereld. Het gebed is nooit leeg. Het stijgt onophoudelijk op naar de Heer opdat verdriet verandert in vreugde, wanhoop in blijheid, angst in hoop, eenzaamheid in gemeenschap. En het rijk Gods zal spoedig temidden van de mensen komen.

WOORD VAN GOD ELKE DAG: DE KALENDER