July 7. SEE.    Some of the senior group members were reflecting on Anna’s story about her granddaughter’s rape.   Pauline shared, “When we were young sex and sexuality were not something we talked about, or even felt comfortable with. Some people considered it sinful.  I remember feeling almost excited when around the time of Vatican II we heard that sex is good.  Marriage Encounter and later on Theology of the Body helped us to deepen that understanding.“  Other members of the group added their views.  “There is too much promiscuity these days and purity and chastity have gone out the window. Our adult children – male and female – have relationships with other partners.  The younger kids are also into sex much too early and in schools these days they talk too casually about LGBTQI  as normal.” “I do recognise and accept that some men and women are attracted to someone of the same sex.”  “Sexuality education is important.  In the way we were brought up these matters were explained at an appropriate time by one of our elders, but that hardly happens these days. Now our kids can probably teach us a few things.” “And yet there is a deeper honesty about sexuality as well.”

JUDGE. Reflect and share. Scripture: Thus says the Lord, “My anger burns against them.  How long will it be till they are pure in Israel?”  From Hosea 8:4-13. Pope Francis:  it is not easy to approach the issue of sex education in an age when sexuality tends to be trivialized and impoverished.  It can only be seen within the broader framework of an education for love, for mutual self-giving.  AL 280. Pope Leo to youth in Cameroon:   “Do not give in to distrust and discouragement,” he said. “Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive. Do not forget that your people are even richer than this land, for your treasure lies in your values: faith, family, hospitality, and work.”                                        

ACT AND PRAY. Pray the Prayer of St Francis and pray for grandparents and the elderly.  We pray for God’s blessing on the grandparents and elderly of our families and community,  bless them with peace and contentment and an acceptance that their lives were well spent in your service. We ask St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, to pray with us.