2009 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME: MARRIAGE AND FAMILY GROWING TOGETHER

APRIL 2009 : GROWING TOWARDS GOD

INTRODUCTION
Spirituality is living in the presence of God in our daily lives, whatever activities we engage in.  Each person grows in their own personal relationship with God, but as couples and as a family it is very valuable to have a common faith life too.  Family moments are faith moments, whether they are happy or sad, filled with fulfilment or anger.  The Lent and Easter seasons are very valuable opportunities for couple and family growth in their relationship with God.  Choose together how this can be done and invite everyone to make a commitment to this growth journey.

5th Passion Sunday. 
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week.  In a way this day could be seen as a peak moment in Jesus' human growth journey. Imagine how it feels when people want to make you a king.  But Jesus refused their form of kingship and by riding on a donkey showed  another model, a humble king who lived for the people and very soon would die for them.  Growing towards God means becoming like Jesus, living and dying for those we serve.  During these special days reflect on this great gift of Jesus and how we each can respond.

9th Holy Thursday. 
On this day Jesus again gave another aspect of himself to us at the Last Supper using the words, “This is my Body given up for you.”  He told us too to do this in memory of him.  Every time a priest uses those words at Mass is a repetition of this, but our every act of giving ourselves for others is living our priesthood as laity.

10th Good Friday.
Jesus' death was his ultimate gift of himself to the Father for others so that we would be reconciled with the Father. Express your love and gratitude to Jesus and resolve to continue to try to be like him.  That is the best response we can make.

11th Easter Vigil. 
The time between Jesus' death and his Resurrection was for the apostles a time of desolation and despair.  They had been told Jesus would rise again but at the same time they felt abandoned. There are times in all our lives when we feel  lost and abandoned.  Reflect on your own life and how hope and trust in God helped you to deal with this. 

12th Easter Sunday.
Jesus' death was not the end. He was raised up to continue his saving work for all people. Our task is to respond to his love, to his gift of self and his message of hope for the world in spite of many difficulties.   Celebrate with joy and gratitude especially as a family.

13th Easter Monday. 
Family Day SA.  This public holiday is often just allowed to pass without thinking about its meaning.  Family Day is meant to celebrate as a family, with our family and others the gift of family life which for us Christians is seen as a gift from God. 

19th Easter 2.  Divine Mercy Sunday.  Faith. Our Victory over the World. 
The gospel of this day has two important messages.  Confession was instituted by Jesus on this day. Disbelieving Thomas is helped by Jesus to believe in the resurrection. Sometimes we struggle with our faith, or we might fall into sin. We need the Holy Spirit, the gift of faith in Jesus and in the power  to forgive sin so that we can grow towards the Father.   

26th Easter 3.  Our Advocate with the Father.  
Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both described as advocates with the Father, speaking and acting on our behalf, bringing hope and joy. An advocate is meant to bring about a positive outcome but our role is still an active one, to repent and believe.   Has Easter been that kind of experience?  What more can you do? 

27th Freedom Day, South Africa.  
Freedom is precious, it is hard-bought and should be appreciated as much as possible.   But it is not free.  It is bought at a price and still costs many people.   Consider the cost to yourself and your family and find a way of expressing your gratitude to God and to those who bought our freedom in South Africa.