2009-08-02 11:12:34

The Mission Intention of the Holy Father for the Month of August


(August 1, 2009) Here is the Mission Intention of the Holy Father for the Month of August for the persecuted Christians: that Christians who suffer persecution and discrimination may be granted human rights, equality, and freedom to live their faith. The Pope’s mission intention this month turns our attention to persecuted Christian’s through-out the world. Christians in India, Turkey, and Iraq risk martyrdom. In places like Saudi Arabia, China, and Kosovo, they cannot practice their faith openly. In several places Christians face discrimination in jobs, education, business, the courts, taxation, housing, travel, and marriage. The Pope asks us to pray for human rights for Christians everywhere because we are one Body in the Lord. Jesus has given us the command to love those who persecute us. We exhort one another to have courage and be not afraid no matter what happens because our loving Father holds us in his hand. As we pray for human rights, equality, and freedom of religion for all Christians, we ourselves make an effort to extend those rights to non-Christians everywhere. When we Christians are in the majority, we should exemplify the Lord’s peace, justice, and mercy toward all, particularly toward those who do not share our faith. Our love for friends and foes alike is the mark of Christians ever since the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and Mary as they were praying in the Upper Room. While we are aware of hostility, danger, and discrimination directed toward us, we also remind God will reward and comfort all who suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. Secure in that knowledge, we ought to rejoice in our own sufferings on behalf of the Gospel. But while we encourage each other with these thoughts, we pray that Christians everywhere may escape suffering and obtain the rights to which all people are entitled.







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