One Minute Reflection – 18 August – Saturday of the Nineteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year B – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:13–15 and the Memorials of St Alberto Hurtado (1901-1952) and St Helena (c 250 – c 330)
“Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”...Matthew 19:14
REFLECTION – “See how fortunate you are to care for these little ones who give God perfect praise and in whom God’s goodness takes such great pleasure, a pleasure that is, in a certain sense, just like that of mothers who have no greater consolation than to view the little acts of their children. They admire everything and love everything. In the same way that God, who is their Father, takes great pleasure in all their little doings.”…St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) [Addresses to the Daughters of Charity, 7/12/1643]
PRAYER – God almighty Father, grant that we may be instruments of welcome and of that love with which Jesus, Your Son, embraces the littlest ones. May we be a society of love and of holy parenting of all children, especially those most in need. St Alberto Hurtado, who so loved the poorest children of your world, intercede for us. St Helena, you were the support and love of your son, bringing him to the love of God and neighbour, pray for us. We make our prayer through Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.
AnaStpaul 