2010 FAMILY THEME “FAMILIES PLAY THE GAME”

MARCH – KEEP THE RULES

INTRODUCTION. Human Rights’ Month in South Africa should not merely be focusing on our rights as individuals, families, and workers.  We also need to use our rights for the good of all by keeping to the rules as responsible citizens. Then there may also be times when we need to examine the rules. Are they just and fair to all?   These are all good questions to consider during this season of Lent.
How well do the rules in your family work?  Do they need to be revised or more strictly applied?  How can we each personally take responsibility for our lives, keeping within the rules that apply?

7th 3rd Sunday of Lent C.  The Lord of Compassion and Love. Every one of us has a right to compassionate treatment and love no matter what has been done and what rules we have broken, but at the same time repentance is also necessary. This is in itself a sign of compassion and love and in fact goes beyond a “keeping the rules” mentality. Understanding how we hurt one another and how that feels makes this more possible.  As Lent progresses begin to prepare for a time of reconciliation.  

14th 4th Sunday of Lent C.  The Lord who welcomes sinners.  The parable of the prodigal son is also the parable of the forgiving father.  The father was willing to forgive even before the son had a chance to apologise. The brother was unwilling to do so. Being forgiving should be seen as one of the rules of the kingdom, as Jesus said, we should forgive 70 times 7 times.  

17th St Patrick. The patron saint of Ireland converted the pagan peoples of that country and is remembered here  because of the many Irish missionaries and immigrants with whom we celebrate on this day.  

19th St Joseph. We know very little about him but he is considered a great saint and a very righteous man. When Mary was found to be pregnant before they were married Joseph wanted to do what was right. Taking Mary to Bethlehem as commanded by the Roman emperor must also have been a difficult matter.  Being a role model for Jesus as he was growing up was one of his most important roles. Men, husbands and fathers can consider him their role model and pray for his intercession.  

21st  5th Sunday of Lent C and 22nd Human Rights Day.  The Lord who has wiped out our past sinfulness.   
As we celebrate Human Rights Day we can ask ourselves if the focus is too much on rights and not enough on responsibilities. How does God’s generosity in forgetting the past and choosing not to condemn us invite us to be less self-centred and more concerned about others and also the common good?  This can be  a big challenge in families, something worth considering during Lent.

25th  The Annunciation.  It is necessary sometimes in families and also in other church groups to examine the laws of the land in relation to the laws of God. Many people think that because abortion is legal in South Africa it is OK.  That is not the case. Legal is not necessarily moral. Discuss.  

28th Palm Sunday.   One could think of Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week as a big political jamboree. The people wanted to make him king. He chose a humble path. Knowing the risks he was taking he chose to speak out against injustice and even taunted the rulers, overturning the money-lenders tables and preaching in the temple. During this week we also read the account of his weeping over Jerusalem, knowing that their way was leading to destruction.  Jesus’ Kingdom that we are called on to continue to build is one of love, justice, truth, peace and freedom.  Consider those values as a family.