August 13. Sunday 19A   One parish had not had a Women’s Day commemoration but asked Fr Michael to focus on the topic of gender balance on the Sunday, with particular reference to women of course. “But women are better at balance anyway, aren’t they?” he told them. “What is gender balance or balance of any kind and how is it achieved?  Maybe I can take a leaf out of the prophet Elijah’s book for today’s reading.  Elijah was waiting for the Lord to address him standing outside a cave. There came a strong wind, an earthquake and a fire but the Lord was not in any of them.  After these came a still small voice and that was where he found the Lord. We have big conferences and meetings where all kinds of issues including gender balance are discussed.  For now I invite each of you to sit quietly and look into your own soul and allow the Lord to speak to you whatever your current life situation. That is where you will find an answer.” 

Reflect, share, act. Scripture: The word of the Lord came to Elijah and said, Go forth and stand upon the mountain before the Lord…. Lord was not in the earthquake, and after that came a fire but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice.   And when Elijah heard it he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.1 Kings 19-9a, 11-13a.    Pope Francis.   Unexpected situations present themselves, disrupting family life and requiring  a process of forgiveness and reconciliation.   In resolving sincerely to forgive the other, each has to ask quietly and humbly if he or she has not somehow created the conditions that led to the other’s mistakes. AL 236