Faith Solidarity Day

Join us each Tuesday – wherever you are!

The aim of Faith Solidarity Day is that in Faith we show our Solidarity for the world and ourselves by having some time during a day once a week set aside to pray and reflect.

To show solidarity with each other by having a common prayer/reflection once a week on a Tuesday.
To show solidarity with those with whom we work and live in our common struggle in life, celebrating the good things, asking for help with the difficult things.
To celebrate the unity and diversity that is Viatores Christi, at all times remembering the family of the association.
To show in a practical way our concern for the world in which we live.

Prayers & Reflections for

December 2009

Tuesday 8 December ,

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Luke 1: 26 – 38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor, David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God”. Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

- How does Mary’s experience touch me? Am I called to “bear” God in my heart?
- What issues of surrender and trust arise in my case? Can I speak of these things to the Lord?

Tuesday 15 December

Matthew 21: 28 – 32

Jesus said, “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, “The first”. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him: and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him”

- Well, which am I?
- The first son sounds like a grump, hard to live with. His first reaction tended to be no. He probably suffered as much as anyone from his own grumpiness. But when the chips were down, you could trust him to help. The second son was the smiling sweet-talker. He liked to be in favour, but when he should have been working, he found something better to do – and probably a plausible excuse afterwards.
- Lord, I would rather be a grumpy but reliable helper than a sweet-talker.

Tuesday 22 December

Luke 1; 46 – 56

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm: he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in rememberance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

Tuesday 29 December

Luke 2: 25- 35

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles And for glory to your people Israel;” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”