13 October. After listening to Fr Pius’s sermon on gratitude there was some honest sharing.  “I don’t think you children really appreciate what we do for you,” Mom started. “I’m tired of being everyone’s taxi.”  “No one ever thanks me for doing the dishes and feeding the dogs.  It does take effort you know.”   After some time when everyone had their say Mom again asked how they felt, having had a chance to share. “Do you think we were wrong in not expressing our thanks before? Can we change our ways and from now on do you think we could all try harder to say “thank you” to one another, and of course really mean it.” “And what about saying thanks and showing appreciation to other people when they give us things or do things for us too?” “And Thanks be toi God.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  “This generation is an evil generation. The men of Nineveh will rise in judgement with this generation for they repented.” From Luke 11:29-32    Pope Francis.  The strengthening of the will and the repetition of specific actions are the building blocks of moral conduct; without the conscious, free and valued repetition of certain patterns of good behaviour moral education does not take place.  AL 266.  JUBILEE: Patience, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, sustains our hope and strengthens it as a virtue and a way of life. May we learn to pray frequently for the grace of patience, which is both the daughter of hope and at the same time its firm foundation.  This interplay of hope and patience makes us see clearly that the Christian life is a journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps towards the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus.  SNC 4-5.    Act and Pray for the needs of families and our calling to become true missionary disciples.