April 27.  Freedom Day.    The speaker began, ”What does freedom mean to you as an individual and a member of a family and community?  It can even mean different things in these different contexts.   On this holiday celebrating and commemorating the day 30 years ago, in 1994, when the first fully democratic election was held in South Africa, we should be able to celebrate freedom and our constitution. But do we?  Freedom is precious. It was and always is hard-bought and should be greatly appreciated. But it is not for free. It was bought at a price and still costs for many people, in fact for all of us. We, as families can consider the cost of freedom and should share with those too young to remember the past. They need to know as they will now be voting for a new government soon that will continue the work that has to be done for us, for them and for those coming after them too.”   

Reflect, share, pray. Preface for Reconciliation. It is truly right and just that we should give you thanks and praise O God, almighty Father for all you do in this world, through our Lord Jesus Christ.  For though the human race is divided by dissension and discord, yet we know that by testing us you change our hearts to prepare them for reconciliation.  Even more by your Spirit you move human hearts that enemies may speak to each other again, adversaries may join hands and peoples seek to meet together.  By the working of your power it comes about O Lord that hatred is overcome by love, revenge gives way to forgiveness and discord is changed to mutual respect.  Pope Francis: The proclamation of faith calls for stressing what is most needed today: God’s saving love which precedes any moral and religious obligation on our part; it should not impose the truth but appeal to freedom and be marked by joy, encouragement and balance. EG 165. Keeping our missionary fervour alive calls for firm trust in the Holy Spirit. There is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything and instead letting him enlighten, guide and direct us, leading us wherever he wills   EG 280. ACTION. Are we taking the requirements for a free and fair election sufficiently seriously, also informing our youth.