Day 8 – Friday

Read: Gospel of John 17:18–24

Prayer. For You, Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of those without hope, the Savior of the storm-tossed, the haven of those at sea, the physician of the sick. Be all things to all people, O You Who know each one and their request, each household and its needs. Deliver, O Lord, this city (this village, this monastery), and every city, town and village, from famine, plague, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion and civil war. (Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great)

Missionary tasks.

1. Personal/Family. Over the past year how have I done good to a neighbor in need? As a family let us resolve to engage in some form of charitable works once a month for the benefit of someone who lives close and is in need.

2. Parish. Let us frequently inform our parishioners about di erent social ministry initiatives in our parish. Let us keep the community informed about parish members who are in need (especially the elderly who live alone). Let us encourage our parish youth to organize and implement some initiative for the bene t of the needy on the territory of our parish.

3. Beyond the parish. Let us look if among my neighbors there isn’t some individual or family that is in dire need. Let us try to help this person, these persons, with a kind word, with some concrete assistance.