2 January. SEE: Tweede Nuwejaarsday.   This is an annual cultural celebration in Cape Town, held on 5 January this year and always at the beginning of the year, a minstrel festival of the coloured community with a flamboyant street parade, singing, banjos and other traditional instruments. It remembers the 19th century slave culture when slaves were given this day off to celebrate the New Year.  Although slavery was formally abolished worldwide during the 19th century, human trafficking is seen as a modern form of slavery, where women and girls are often trafficked for sexual purposes but men and children are also trafficked for various purposes.   In our families are we fair and just to our workers recognising that they have families too to celebrate and spend time with?

JUDGE, reflect and share: Scripture: Let what you have heard in the beginning abide in you.  If what you heard abides in you then you will abide in the Son and in the Father.  1 John 2:22-28. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. PS 98:4. Pope Francis.  Pastoral activity for migration must be implemented with due respect for their cultures, the human and religious formation from which they come and the spiritual richness of their rites and traditions. AL 46  Pope Leo reminds us that peace is possible, it is not a utopia, and that ecumenical and interreligious dialogue are privileged ways to achieve it. Peace Message.

ACT.  Decide on possible appropriate action.   Conclude with prayer for recognition of the value of cultural traditions in building families and peace in society.  Discern, decide, do.