August 27th   “I’m sure everyone and every family will recognise this story of the talents.  Why is it that each human being is given different talents or attributes and some have more than others?  Some men are handsome and clever, some only gorgeous but quite stupid.  Girls may have beauty but poor health.  One may have a business brain but poor relationship skills and so on.  What are the special gifts that attract James and Beauty to one another and not James and Antonette?   Why is it that in spite of differences and conflict some couples can stick together for many, many years and their love can grow and remain fresh while others’ love  cannot last five minutes?   There are good and bad decisions made and skills are acquired but nevertheless human relationships remain a mystery, almost as great a mystery as God.  

 Jesus told his disciples, : it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one, to each according to his ability.   Matt 25:14.  Pope Francis:  Our contemplation of the fulfilment which we have yet to attain also allows us to see in proper perspective the historical journey which we  make as families and in this way to stop demanding of our interpersonal relationships a perfection, a purity of intentions and a consistency which we will only encounter in the kingdom to come.    AL325