2008 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME “ME AND MY FAMILY”

JUNE THEME : ME AND YOUTH

INTRODUCTION

June in South Africa is Youth month, in commemoration of those youth who, taking   the initiative away from parents and elders, began a struggle for their just rights in 1976. It is often said that the youth are our future. Youth have energy, enthusiasm and hope for the future but are also subject to pressure from peers, media and their own selfish wants. Other young people, because of their life experiences, have lost hope and risk suicide or a life of crime. High rates of HIV infection, teenage pregnancy as a result of promiscuous or abusive sexual behaviour, substance abuse and school violence are clear indicators that youth need meaningful guidance and support from their families and elders while families often need help in dealing with their young.   
How are adult-youth relationships in your family? Is there communication and trust?  Do you and your family need help in this area?  Reflect, share, discuss and pray about this

1st. 9th Sunday of the Year A.  Christ our Rock of Refuge. 

The Old Testament was strictly focused on the Law and the Ten Commandments. But people had become very “legalistic” and were concerned about the letter of the Law rather then the spirit of the Law. Jesus presented a new challenge and He himself is to be our rock and refuge. Following his way is like building a house on rock rather than on shifting sand. As young people and in our own family do we know and follow Jesus or are we stuck with rules for their own sake?  

3rd. St Charles Lwanga and companions.

Over the centuries there have been many people canonised as saints. Some were young and they were often martyred for their faith as St Charles Lwanga, St Kizito and the other young African martyrs were.  As young people could these be your role models?  How strongly would youth in general uphold their Catholic faith?  During this month we commemorate young people who died for their cause. Consider whether this was this a spiritual or material cause? 

8th. 10th Sunday of the Year A. Our Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving should be offered like Abraham’s, a total giving of self in faith, trust and commitment. Jesus does not want empty sacrifices but warm bodies, ourselves, sinful as are. As youth and in our own families are we like the Pharisee judging others for their imperfections? As young and old within a family how can we help one another grow?

15th  11th Sunday of the Year A. Father’s Day. Our Calling.

There are many ways of looking at this them together with youth and fatherhood. In the gospel we hear that Jesus felt sorry for the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Fatherhood is a very important calling, to protect and provide for. How many youth are fathers? How many families accept that it is not only daughters but sons too who have to take responsibility for a child they have brought into the world?  What is the relationship between you as father and your children?   Pray for fathers and especially for youth.

16th Youth Day.

Continuing the theme from Sunday celebrate the vitality of youth and their ability to be life-giving in many ways.  Pray for and offer support to youth so that they will nurture and protect life and not become despondent and destroy life, including their own.  Discuss these life issues as a family.

22nd 12th Sunday of the Year A. The Lord at Our Side. 

In the 1st reading Jeremiah expresses his fear of betrayal and his trust in God at his side.  Peer pressure and betrayal are real issues in the lives of young people. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him who can destroy body and soul in hell.”  How can this apply specifically to young people?  What are the risks and temptations and how strong this their faith in Jesus to be at their side?. 

29th 13th Sunday of the Year. A. St Peter and Paul. Welcoming Christ.

Sts Peter and Paul, were among the most powerful figures in the early Church, bringing Jesus to others, welcoming Jesus in others. The message of Jesus to lose your life for his sake is never easy as Peter and Paul discovered.  There is a great challenge to youth too find their way of following Jesus in their own lives and in the modern world in which they live. What support are families giving their youth?