January 4. Taking stock from time to time is an excellent thing, for individuals but for a whole family too. Mom started the discussion, “Look at our Nativity setting with the Tree of Life. How are we going to keep a healthy balance this upcoming school and work year? Will we be able to programme some God time with our family time too into our week, time without cellphones, TV or computers? What is overall right and fair to everyone? Is it to focus on what we need for building family relationships or on material needs or your kids’ sporting schedules or on doing things together to care for the environment?  Let everyone have a say.”  

Scripture.  My children, do not let anyone lead you astray: to live a holy life is to be holy just as God is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil since the devil was a sinner from the beginning.  1 John 3:7-8.

Pope Francis:   Consideration needs to be given to the growing danger represented by an extreme individualism, which weakens family bonds and ends up considering each member of the family as an isolated unit, leading in some cases to the idea that one’s personality is shaped by his or her desires, which are considered absolute.   Freedom of choice makes it possible to plan our lives yet if this lacks noble goals or personal discipline it degenerates into an inability to give oneself generously to others.   AL33