Praying for victims of abuse

My diary which comes from Ireland says that today is the day to pray for victims of sexual abuse. We could broarden our prayer to include victims of abuse and persecution of any kind as the readings today show us how both the prophet Jeremiah and Jesus himself were victims of rejection and death threats. The first reading from Jeremiah 20:10-13 shows the suffering of the prophet as he says that even those who used to be his friends are now watching for his downfall, calling for him to be denounced. But his confidence in God never fails and he is able to praise the Lord ''for he has delivered the soul of the needy from he hands of evil ones.'' The first line of the gospel from John10:31-42 says, ''The Jews took up stones to kill Jesus.'' Jesus defends himself with these powerful words, ''You say that someone that the Father has consecrated and sent into the world is blaspheming because he says. 'I am the Son of God.'' We can apply those words to ourselves as the Father consecrated us by giving us the gift of life, bringing us into the world. If we can say that of ourselves we must recognize that everyone else is a child of the same loving Father. Vulnerable people are abused, bullied or persecuted when their true value is not recognized. Rather they are seen as objects of anger or hate, domination or pleasure. As we enter Holy Week on Palm Sunday, may we welcome Jesus into our hearts and along with him all our sisters and brothers consecrated by the Father and brought into the world through the gift of life.
 
Don Hornsey
 
 
 

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