2 March. SEE. Discipline and punishment. Addressing the parish sharing groups Matt spoke as a parent.  “This month we’re focusing on rights, but I believe rights need to be balanced with responsibilities too.” Patricia laughed, “you and your family focus on families of all kinds. I know that my dog could be trained, and she certainly knows if she has been bad, but I wouldn’t know about making all animals responsible for their actions.”  “That highlights the fact that humans should know better, doesn’t it?  We parents, and carers too, struggle with discipline, with finding suitable punishments for children’s misbehaviour or knowing when to forgive. Promoting self-discipline is important and enforcing discipline, teaching moral values and right behaviour are rights and responsibilities for families.  Are we sufficiently well equipped for that?  Maybe we parents need to be disciplined for our failures too. 

From The Little Flowers of St Francis:  Brother Bernard, Francis’s first convert was a very holy man who regularly conversed with God in prayer. One day Francis was searching for him and called him three times but Bernard did not hear.  Francis was irritated, but then he himself prayed about this “evil thought.” Feeling guilty, when he understood why Bernard could not hear, Francis went to him and demanded a punishment for his pride and to humble himself. He told Bernard,  “Put your one foot on my neck and the other on my mouth three times.”  

JUDGE, reflect and share. Scripture:   O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and merciful love with those who love him and keep his commandment, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from you. We have not listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name. To us belongs confusion of face. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness.  Daniel 9:4-10. Pope Francis: We must not lose our ability to listen.  Saint Francis heard the voice of God, he heard the voice of the poor, he heard the voice of the infirm, and he heard the voice of nature.  He made of them a way of life.   My desire is that the seed that St Francis planted may grow in the hearts of many. FT 48. Pope Leo:  Throughout the world it is to be hoped that every community become a house of peace, where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practised and forgiveness is cherished.   Peace Message 1 Jan. 

REFLECT, SHARE, ACT, PRAY.  Discuss and share, ideally as families, on the issue of repentance, sin and punishment especially in parent-child relationships.