Stewardship Thoughts (St. Luke)
The theme of hope connects today’s Scripture passages. In the First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah states, Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. St. Paul professes, in his First Letter to the Corinthians: If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. In the Gospel, the evangelist St. Luke presents his version of the beatitudes expressed by Jesus. With hope, for those who are hungry, weeping, and insulted for His name, our Lord proclaims: Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. In a world desperate for Christ, faithful stewards hope in the Lord, for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). In the Scriptures, Jesus encourages us to persevere in difficult times. Make time daily to read a few verses of the Bible and attend Mass regularly to find strength and hope in the Eucharist.
National Marriage Week
The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 13) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. Our theme for 2022 is “Called to the Joy of Love.”
Prayer for Married Couples
Almighty and eternal God, You blessed the union of married couples so that they might reflect the union of Christ with his Church: look with kindness on them. Renew their marriage covenant, increase your love in them, and strengthen their bond of peace so that, with their children, they may always rejoice in the gift of your blessing. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.