{"id":17649,"date":"2017-01-08T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-08T14:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/popes-urgent-prayer-for-january-is-the-homeless-56569\/"},"modified":"2017-01-08T14:15:00","modified_gmt":"2017-01-08T14:15:00","slug":"popes-urgent-prayer-for-january-is-the-homeless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2017\/01\/popes-urgent-prayer-for-january-is-the-homeless\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope\u2019s \u2018urgent\u2019 prayer for January is the homeless"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

<\/p>\n

Vatican City, Jan 8, 2017 \/ 07:15 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Pope Francis announced Sunday after the Angelus that his \u201curgent\u201d prayer for the month of January is for all those without shelter, who are especially affected by the cold weather during the winter.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring these very cold days, I think of and I invite you to think of all the people who live on the streets, affected by the cold and many times by indifference,\u201d he said Jan. 8.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately some didn\u2019t make it. Let us pray for them, and let us ask the Lord to warm our hearts so as to be able to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last week the Vatican announced that the Pope would be making some changes to his intentions in 2017, adding an \u201curgent\u201d prayer intention<\/a> himself each month, alongside the usual monthly intention, in order to garner rapid support for a cause.<\/p>\n

In the morning on Jan. 8, the Pope said Mass in the Sistine Chapel, baptizing 28 babies. In his message before the Angelus, he said he would like to extend his \u201cprayers to all parents who at this time are preparing for the Baptism of their child, or have just celebrated it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI invoke the Holy Spirit upon them, and on children, because this Sacrament, so simple and yet so important, is lived with faith and joy,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

Pope St. John Paul II started the custom for the Pope to baptize babies in the Sistine Chapel on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.<\/p>\n

The Baptism of the Lord is typically celebrated on the Sunday following Jan. 6, which is the Feast of the Epiphany, unless in a particular country the Epiphany is celebrated on Jan. 7 or 8, as it is in the US, then the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Monday following.<\/p>\n

Speaking about Jesus\u2019 baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Francis reflected on how John says to Jesus, \u201cI need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

John the Baptist \u201cis aware of the fact that there is great distance between him and Jesus. But Jesus came precisely to bridge the gap between man and God,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor that he asks John to baptize him, because it fulfills all righteousness, that is, you realize the plan of the Father which passes through the path of obedience and solidarity with the fragile and sinful man.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is one of the beautiful aspects of this feast day, the Pope noted. That it \u201cmakes us rediscover the gift and beauty\u201d of being baptized people. That we are sinners \u201csaved by the grace of Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to enter into the filial relationship of Jesus to God the Father, and be \u201cwelcomed into the bosom of Mother Church,\u201d a relationship that knows \u201cno boundaries and barriers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The example Jesus gives us through his own baptism, is an example of the missionary style of Christ\u2019s disciples, Francis said, which is \u201cto proclaim the Gospel with meekness and firmness, without arrogance or imposition.\u201d<\/p>\n

The real mission is \u201cnever proselytism,\u201d he continued, but \u201cattraction to Christ,\u201d which is brought out through strong union with God in \u201cprayer, adoration and concrete charity, which is service to Jesus present in the least of our brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn imitation of Jesus, good and merciful Shepherd, and animated by his grace, we are called to make our life a joyful witness that illuminates the path, that brings hope and love,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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