March 15. Aunty Mabel was visiting the family for a few days and asked to share. “This reading from the book of Wisdom has for years been a comfort to me.  You know that my husband, Samuel, was a policeman and he was a really good honest cop.  He had wanted to be a crime-fighter from when he was a child but the family couldn’t afford for him to be a lawyer or a judge so he became a policeman.  His station was noted for fairness and honesty and dedication to duty.   But, you know the story, the criminals were after him.  He was killed in a car accident 10 years ago but I know it wasn’t just an accident.  It’s been very hard to bear but you all know my faith in Jesus and reading and reflecting with the Bible have helped me.” 

Reflect, share. Scripture: Read the relevant scripture passages.  Ungodly men reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, “Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions. Wis 2:1. Pope Francis: Sincere and humble worship of God bears fruit not in discrimination, hatred n violence, but in respect for the sacredness of life, respect for the dignity and freedom of others and loving commitment to the welfare of all.  Truly “whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4-8)  For this reason terrorism is deplorable and threatens the security of people. This is not due to religion even when terrorists instrumentalise it.   It is due to an accumulation of incorrect interpretations of religious texts and to policies linked to injustice and oppression.   It is so necessary to stop supporting terrorist movements fuelled by financing, provision of weapons and by attempts to justify these movements even using the media.   Extracts from FT 283.  LSAP 7. Community resilience and empowerment.    Pray a Lenten prayer. Make me an instrument of your peace………….  Choose appropriate action.