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Thursday, January 31, 2002

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St. John Bosco


2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
Psalm 132
Mark 4:21-25

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bless this house

"By Your blessing the house of Your servant shall be blessed forever." —2 Samuel 7:29

Even more than God blessed David's house, the Lord wants to bless Christian families and communities, for their members have been baptized into Christ, the Son of David and the Son of God.

For our families or communities to receive the Lord's unfathomable blessings, we should pray — not only individually but together as families or communities. The Lord promises to those who pray communally: "Again I tell you, if two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by My Father in heaven. Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst" (Mt 18:19-20).

The Lord is calling you not only to pray together but to pray daily as a family or a community. Daily, communal prayer is one of the main ways the Lord has chosen to open us to receive His blessings. Pope John Paul II has taught: "The family celebrates the Gospel of life through daily prayer, both individual prayer and family prayer" (The Gospel of Life, 93, emphasis added; see also Church in America, Pope John Paul II, 46).

Therefore, no matter how difficult the devil makes it, let us pray together daily as families and communities. We will receive blessings beyond anything we can ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Prayer:  Father, may I let You bless me as greatly as You wish.

Promise:  "In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides." —Mk 4:24

Praise:  St. John Bosco lived the vision planted in his heart. He met young boys where they were, fed them the gospel of Jesus Christ, and saw lives transformed.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Family Prayer on video V-59.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, May 30, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2001