2009 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME: MARRIAGE AND FAMILY GROWING TOGETHER

AUGUST THEME: GROWING AS MALE AND FEMALE

INTRODUCTION
In South Africa August is Women's month and the 9th is Women's Day, but in building strong families we need to look at women's issues in the broader context of their families. Gender and sex are aspects of family life right from its earliest days.  How adults live out their sexuality should be a model for teenagers.  Women and men have rights and responsibilities as individuals but their complementary role in a family is important for the wellbeing of their own relationship and of the family as a whole.  They should not focus on their own needs and rights only but on the good of the family as a whole.
Are boys and girls, men and women treated fairly and with equal dignity in your family? Share. .  

2nd 18th Sunday of Year B.   Bread from Heaven.  We are often tempted to try to enhance our sexuality through material things such as clothes, make-up  and behaving in particular ways.  Today we are challenged not to look for material things, outward signs and things that don't last, but to search for the really valuable things that do last.  Jesus, is the bread from heaven and his presence is felt too in life-giving human relationships. 

9th 19th Sunday of Year B. Women's Day.  The Father who draws us to Himself.  The Father is the one who draws us to himself, giving us the nourishment we need.  The reading from Ephesians speaks of the self-giving love of Jesus that we are called to imitate.  Pope Benedict calls on married couples especially to show this self-giving love and model it to others. On this day celebrate the special quality of women to be self-giving but also challenge their counterparts, the men to play their part in interpersonal relationships. 
15th The Assumption.  Mary, Queen Assumed into heaven is the patroness of South Africa.  This feast commemorates our belief that Mary was lifted up body and soul and has already entered fully into heavenly glory, a privilege that the rest of us will only obtain at the end of time.  On this patronal feast of the Church in South Africa we pray for Mary's intercession for the needs closest to our hearts, our marriages, families and those in particular need of all kinds.  Mary's response to our prayers is always to pray and to love and to bring conversion and compassion into the world, preparing it and leading it to Jesus her son.

16th 20th Sunday of Year B. Our Eucharist: Thanksgiving. Jesus says, “I am the living bread and those who eat and drink will draw life from me and live forever.  We are all destined for eternal life and each of us has to respond to Jesus' invitation in his or her own way and in their own particular life situation. There is a strong trend nowadays towards recognizing feminine spirituality. Pope John Paul's Theology of the Body also emphasizes a spirituality of sexuality. These can all be explored for the good of our human relationships as something to be particularly grateful for.   

23rd 21st Sunday of Year B