12 December.  Arrive alive.  Saul and David.  In an end-of-the-year project the children had made a poster of the 10 Commandments. “Which ones should we be aware of at this time, I wonder,” Mom had asked.  “Probably all of them” was the answer. “But let us pray around the 5th commandment “Do not kill.”   Cornelius had spent two years studying to become a paramedic.  “It isn’t just doing a bit of first aid, you know,” he boasted, “We do a lot of serious life-saving, but sometimes road accidents, road rage, drowning, reckless driving, drinking and driving are so often so unnecessary, that it even makes us cross.  I know we do a lot of good, but a whole lot of that “snot and trane” stuff (Afrikaans for tears) could be avoided.  Of course violence and killing should end too, as well as the never-ending wars that are waged today. There were times in the Old Testament days of kings Saul and David, and even more recently, that wars were glorified and being a soldier was an honour. I can’t help wondering why?”  

Reflect, share. Scripture:“O that you had listened to my commandments. Then your peace would have been like a river, your offspring would have been like the sand and your descendants like its grains.  Is 48:17-19.   Pope Francis: Pope Benedict asked us to recognize that the natural environment and the social environment have been gravely damaged by our irresponsible behaviour.  Both are due to the same evil: the notion that there are no indisputable truths to guide our lives, and hence human freedom is limitless.  LS 6. Jubilee:   I renew my appeal that “with the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favour development in the most impoverished countries, so that their citizens will not resort to violent or illusory situations, or have to leave their countries in order to seek a more dignified life”.  SNC 16.Act and pray:  How many people will die on the roads these holidays?  Will it be more or less than last year?  Let us pray to St Christopher for protection and that all drivers will act responsibly for the safety of their passengers and other families on the road.”