Thursday, 4 August 2016

ANYONE WHO LOSES THEIR LIFE

PRAYER PAUSE


Friday 5 August 2016, Mary Major  


ANYONE WHO LOSES THEIR LIFE


Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.


Reading: “Anyone who loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matt 16:24-8)


Reflection. “Holy Mary, Mother of God …” The words trot off our lips easy enough but the Church took 400 years to decide it was appropriate to call Mary ‘Mother of God.’ She did so at Ephesus in 431 at one of the last great Councils when all the churches were still one: Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople and Rome. Cyril of Alexandria gave the keynote speech to which all assented. Pope Sixtus built the first church ever dedicated to Mary in Rome, Mary Major, to mark the occasion. To achieve such unity many had to “lose their life” in the sense of holding back their own opinion and listening to others. It was a moment of intense harmony – and all because of Mary.  


Prayer. Lord, may we seek unity with one another through listening.  Amen





































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