October 23.   Throughout our lives when something bad happens to us we tend to see it as a punishment. “What have I done wrong?” granny Joseph asked herself when she was saying her night-prayers. “Why is Alinah avoiding me? I find it so hard to accept that Muslims can also be good people and that Pakistanis are not always out to cheat us when we do business with them. My son was badly caught financially when he visited Turkey last month. That kind of reinforces my prejudices about Muslims and now that Alinah is going out with a Muslim boy she keeps right away from me.”

Jesus said, “Do you think that those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem?  I tell you, No, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-9.   Pope Francis:  Between selfish indifference and violent protest there is another possible option: that of dialogue.    Dialogue between generations; dialogue among our people ( for we are that people;)  readiness to give and receive while remaining open to the truth.   A country flourishes when constructive dialogue occurs between its many rich cultural components; popular culture, university culture, youth culture, artistic culture, technological culture, economic culture, family culture and media culture.  FT199.   Reflect, share, act and pray.   Am I building an eco-friendly culture?