Novena of Reparation, Day 4

I invite you to join in our community novena to St Paul (we celebrate a special feast in his honor on June 30). This year's theme is reparation for misuse of the media.

Intentions for the Day: Thanksgiving for the invention of motion pictures; reparation for way media are used in "ideological colonization*" which, by manipulation and social, political, or financial pressure imposes false values on other culturess.

Opening Antiphon:
O St Paul the Apostle, Preacher of Truth and Doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God.

Scripture (2 Cor 11:23):
Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.) I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death.

From Pope Francis' Message for World Communications Day 2016:
Our political and diplomatic language would do well to be inspired by mercy, which never loses hope. I ask those with institutional and political responsibility, and those charged with forming public opinion, to remain especially attentive to the way they speak of those who think or act differently or those who may have made mistakes. It is easy to yield to the temptation to exploit such situations to stoke the flames of mistrust, fear and hatred. Instead, courage is needed to guide people towards processes of reconciliation. It is precisely such positive and creative boldness which offers real solutions to ancient conflicts and the opportunity to build lasting peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:7-9).

Reflection:
The development and spread of social media puts people of many different cultures in contact with each other. It can be tempting to look down on people whose cultural background does not match our own. Instead, we are called to become like Paul, making ourselves "all things to all people" (1 Cor 9:22) for the sake of witnessing to Jesus, who made himself "like us in all things but sin" (Heb 4:15).


Daily Offering:
Father,
In union with all those who today celebrate the Eucharistic memorial of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection, I offer myself with Jesus to acknowledge and to make known that Jesus alone, the Word Incarnate, is the perfect Teacher and trustworthy Way who leads to knowledge of you, Father, and to participation in your life.

Closing Antiphon:
O St Paul the Apostle, Preacher of Truth and Doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God.



*The term "ideological colonization" is frequently used by Pope Francis with reference to pressures on non-Western peoples to conform to "First World" expectations in areas such as marriage, contraception, abortion ("reproductive freedom"), gay rights, etc.