2008 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME “ME AND MY FAMILY”

APRIL THEME : ME, GOD AND MY FAMILY

“I stand alone, but am forever tied. My family and I, together, side by side.”

Spirituality and religion play an important part in family life. They are the foundation of our values and give depth and meaning to our own lives. We all have a sense of the spiritual but different religions formalise this differently. Many families have members following these different ways but a common faith life is a great gift and unifier. 
Catholics hold that the Church exists to evangelise, to spread the Good News of God’s love revealed to us in Jesus Christ. The Church invites us into a deeper relationship with God as an individual, but also within our family as the domestic church and with the community of believers. God is a personal loving God not a remote impersonal being.    
In April we in South Africa celebrate Freedom Day.  Freedom is not licence to do as we please but to be able to do what we believe is right. There should be freedom to practise our own religion and live according to our own value system. 
What is God’s place in your and your family’s life?  Are you free to live your spiritual life and your own value system? Reflect, share, discuss and pray about this. 

6th . 3rd Sunday of Easter A.  Christ is with us on the way of life. 

The disciples on the road to Emmaus were believers but at this time they could not help being confused.  How often do we feel confused and need reassurance from God and from one another about our beliefs and many other things. What is needed in families in particular is the willingness to listen carefully, be patient with one another’s uncertainties and help one another to recognise Jesus wherever he is to be found, in the Church, in our families and many other situations. 

7th St John Baptist de La Salle is the patron saint of education.

Educators and learners and those in any way involved with education could do well at this time to pray for his intercession that a culture of learning will be valued by all.  Visit the website for the Catholic Institute for Education www.cie.org.za to find out more about the Schools Pledge.

13. 4th Sunday of Easter. Good Shepherd Sunday. Vocations Sunday. 

Our bishops are the shepherds of our local Church, each one the chief shepherd in his own diocese, representing Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  The priests and religious are called to be shepherds in a particular way. As families do we really appreciate this calling and talk about and support our own young people to consider such a calling? 

20. 5th Sunday of Easter. Our Royal Priesthood. 

In the 2nd reading we learn that we are all chosen to perform the task of priests. This is through our being baptised into the mission of Jesus.  Priests offer prayer, praise and sacrifice.  We all pray to God but how often do we consider the sacrifices we make for the sake of our families as a priestly function. Discuss this together.  

27th 6th Sunday of Easter. Freedom Day SA.  The Spirit of Truth.  

It is very appropriate to focus on the Spirit of Truth on this important national day for SA. True freedom can only come about when there is honesty and integrity that allow us to be trustworthy ourselves and trust our fellow citizens. Good citizenship begins at home. How active is the Spirit of Truth in our family?