July 18. Sunday 16B. “Happy Mandela Day.” Fr Brian began his homily with those words. He then liked the image of those being far and those being near in the letter to the Ephesians and the importance of peace between them.  In his homily he said,  “I know that the letter was referring to Gentiles and Jews but there is a need for peace on all kinds of levels, whatever the differences, for example between the generations.  A commitment to the elderly on the part of their children and grandchildren would be a good example.  How is that relationship in each of your families at this time?  Do you feel like strangers from far away?  Or maybe if you are far away, how can you become closer?

Christ came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  Eph 2:18.   

Pope Francis: The Church works for the advancement of humanity and universal fraternity.  She does not claim to compete with earthly powers, but to offer herself as a family among families. FT276.   Migration is a sign of the times to be faced and understood in terms of its negative effects on family life.   Human mobility which corresponds to the natural historical movement of peoples, can prove to be a genuine enrichment for both families that migrate and countries that welcome them.   However, forced migration puts lives at risk, traumatizes people and destabilises families.  Migration is particularly dramatic and devastating when it takes place illegally.  AL46