2008 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME “ME AND MY FAMILY”

MARCH THEME : MY RIGHTS, MY FAMILY RIGHTS

You and everyone in the family has rights; personal, individual rights as a child, parent, or other member. As a unit a family has rights too and the "common good" interacts with and sometimes supersedes individual rights. The first right of every human being is to life from conception until natural death. What follows is the right to be loved and cared for and be free from harm. In difficult family situations these rights must be negotiated without selfishness and with the best interests of all at heart. Within our legal system the best interests of a child take precedence. Rights are balanced by responsibilities, again as individuals and as families. Fathers and mothers nowadays share the task of breadwinner, or either may be the main provider. Mothers are most often the primary caregivers too and this influences their job or career choice and its impact on the family. Rights, as enshrined in the SA Constitution, are not always in line with our interpretation of God's laws and this area needs to be studied and taught to children.

2nd 4th Sunday of Lent A. Our Shepherd King.

David was a young shepherd boy when Samuel was led to choose and anoint him as king. David in the famous psalm uses the image of God as shepherd who protects his sheep in the valley of darkness. Jesus in healing the blind man says, “I am the light of world. I have come into the world so that those without sight may see.” Learning to see and see with the eyes of faith is a process and a journey. As a family we often accuse one another of not seeing things the way we do. Play a trustwalk game and consider how important it is to be able to see. Discuss how we each see our rights and responsibilities.

9th 5th Sunday of Lent A.

Christ breathes into us his living spirit. The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a story of a family, of friendship and of life, eternal life. Jesus himself said the incident would be for God's glory and that he himself as the Son of God would be glorified. In his gospel John uses the miracles of Jesus as signs of the glory of God, a God of life and of love. As families give thanks for life, consider how we value and nurture it as God's gift and also remember Jesus' words. “If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live.”

16th Palm Sunday.

Consider the fickleness of the people. How easily were they swayed? On this day they wanted to make him king. A few days later they were yelling, “Crucify him!” How consistent are we in our families in standing up for our individual rights and facing our responsibilities?

17th St Patrick

St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland and many Irish people were among those who brought it to South Africa. Give thanks and celebrate with them on this day. 19th St Joseph. He was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus and played a very important role, especially in protecting the Holy Family against the threats from king Herod. Can we call him the head of the Holy Family? Mary has been given far more honour. How does this compare to your family today?

20th Maundy Thursday.

On this day as we commemorate the Last Supper we celebrate the institution of the priesthood and of the Eucharist. Much needs to be done to improve the image and appreciation for these gifts. This forms part of developing a family spirituality and family meals are a place to start.

21st Good Friday and Human Rights Day in SA. 

St Paul reminds us how Jesus gave up his rights and became a “slave” for our sakes. Consider how each individual and each family has rights and responsibilities associated with these rights. In imitation of Jesus what is the Christian response to this? Is there a need for reconciliation? Right personal relationships can lead to right relationships across the spectrum. Catholic family members could receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and also be reconciled within families. Stations of the Cross are part of Good Friday. A format that relates normal family situations to the Jesus events can bring this to life in a deeper way. The formal service can be long for families with small children, so a simple form of venerating of the cross and a telling the passion story emphasizing love of Jesus and our love for him can be used.

22nd Easter Vigil.

The Easter vigil is full of symbolism, lighting the fire and the Easter candle and blessing the baptismal water are part of the mystery and of the practical reality of life. What role does your baptism play in your life? Are you living your baptismal vocation to the full?

23rd Easter Sunday. 

God raised Jesus from the dead and the plan of salvation was complete.  However it lives on too in every life and family as the Paschal mystery is relived and ends with the joy of renewed life.

24th Family Day in SA. 

It is sad that this public holiday compared to Human Rights Day,  Freedom Day or Women's Day gets so little attention.  As families do all you can to draw attention to the importance and value of healthy, stable, well-functioning families for the benefit of all their members, not just children. 

30th 2nd Sunday of Easter Year A.

Amid the great joy of experiencing the Risen Lord, Thomas was still the sceptic. Every family has such a person. Consider and discuss what you really believe and why?