2008 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME “ME AND MY FAMILY”

SEPTEMBER THEME: ME AND OUR FAMILY TRADITIONS

INTRODUCTION

Although the whole world appears to be living in one global village nowadays our particular family backgrounds and heritage are still a value to maintain. They give us a particular sense of identity. At the same time this can cause difficulties at a global level with xenophobia and ethnic conflicts as well as at a personal level with lack of acceptance of differences.
Faith traditions of family prayer and devotions, ways of acting and celebrating family events and milestones, ways of commemorating the history of our family and its culture are built on the ways of the elders and give roots to the younger members.
Do you experience your family background as a treasure or burden? Do you give your children roots and traditions to help them achieve a strong sense of identity?  Reflect, share, discuss and pray about this.
Note:  As from 29th June we begin to celebrate the Year of St Paul, there will be a greater focus on the 2nd reading when it is taken from Paul’s letters. 

7th 23rd Sunday A. Christ who paid the debt of love.  St Paul tells us to that “all the commandments: you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, are summed up in this single command:  you must love your neighbour as yourself.”  This 2nd of the great commandments calls on us to do our best to accept others and their differences.  How tolerant and accepting is your family?   

8th. Birthday of Our Lady.  Mary’s birthday reminds us to commemorate and celebrate important family events. 

14th 24th Sunday A. Our Forgiving Lord. Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness and unforgiveness. St Paul tells us “the life and death of each of us has its influence on others.”  Are we forgiving to those us and have died or are we still carrying hurt and grudges?

15th Our Lady of Sorrows.  This image of Mary as a mother who suffered along with her son is a great comfort especially to parents who grieve over their children.  Ask for her consoling help.

21st 25th Sunday A.  The generous love of God.  God’s love and generosity are beyond our understanding.  Generosity is a great virtue to be used for the common good but also to preserve our family and national heritage for future generations.  This can include the environment, nature, art, music, drama, etc.  What can you do in this regard?

24th Heritage Day SA.  We celebrate the cultural heritage of the many people who make up our rainbow nation, coming from all parts of Africa and the world. Make an effort to find out more about other cultures and share with others in order to understand and appreciate one another more.  Also focus on the environment as part of our heritage that needs to be protected.   

28th 26th Sunday A. Christ, Obedient unto Death.  St Paul calls us to be like Jesus, who was divine yet humbled himself completely. He gives us a perfect recipe for tolerance and acceptance when he writes, “ there must be no competition among you, no conceit, but everybody is to be self-effacing.  Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody things of his own interests first but everybody things of other people’s interests instead.”  How do we measure up to this?  Pray for strength to become more like Jesus.

29th St Michael, Gabriel and Raphael archangels. These special messengers from God are ways in which God at times has communicated with us.  Their names also have a symbolic meaning.  Michael = image of God,  Gabriel = strength of God,  Raphael = healing of God.