March 31. The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this stiff-necked people. Many parents these days are seriously concerned about their children, the way they live and how they flout family and school rules on all sorts of issues. The social worker didn’t have to tell them, “Whether it is drugs, sex or bullying, stealing or engaging in violence at school, it seems the youth have forgotten what is right. Do you parents enforce punishment, even have your children arrested if necessary? Do you then ask for leniency or try to get them off?  What is really the answer to problem behaviour in our youth as well as ourselves as parents?”   

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this stiff-necked people now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn against them. But Moses begged the Lord, “why does your wrath burn hot against your people?  Turn from your fierce wrath and repent of this evil against your people. Read Exodus 32:7-14. Pope Francis:  Children who are lovingly corrected feel cared for.  One of the things children need to learn from their parents is not to get carried away by anger. A child who does something wrong must be corrected, but never treated as an enemy. AL 269.  Justice and mercy are not two contradictory realities but two dimensions of a single reality that unfolds progressively until it culminates in the fullness of love. Jesus goes beyond the law and affirms that the rule for life must place mercy at the centre. FM 20. Moral Regeneration Movement Positive Values Charter 2. Committed to the spirit of ubuntu and democracy we dedicate ourselves to promote responsible freedom and the rule of law which are the basis of justice, fairness and nation-bulding.  Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za/lent