At the close of this month with a focus on Grandparents as family roots may old and young work together for an end to wars and build the civilisation of peace promoted by Pope Leo XIV.

July 31. SEE.   Like for Jeremiah 2500 years ago, someone will heed the call from God to end the war that has been raging for some years in Israel,  Gaza and Lebanon involving Israelis, Jews, Palestinians, Christians and Lebanese people.  Like all wars it is a tragedy, a sadness and a politically motivated  and power-hungry evil.  On all sides there are some who are radical  militants and others are peace-lovers but every person and family involved is suffering incredible hardships.  Is this current reality very different from the experience of the prophets over the centuries, especially Jeremiah who was called by God to stand in the court of the Lord and address the people.  When will the people on all sides listen to the voice of God and the cry of the suffering. Is Pope LeoXIV a prophet for our time?  Let there be peace!

On a more down-to-earth level should grandparents be allowed to punish their grandchildren? What they and what parents think might not be the same.  Traditionally the elders were often the ones to practice disciple, not only with their own, but with any children around that misbehaved.   Nowadays older persons might get criticised and told to mind their own business, but they are genuinely concerned for the common good. Is the common good in the mind of the so-called peace negotiators in the Middle East?

JUDGE. Reflect and share. Scripture. Thus says the Lord, “If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law which I have set before you, I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth. Jeremiah 26:3-9.  Pope Francis:   Adults need to realize that some kind of misbehaviour has to do with the frailty and limitations typical of youth. An attitude constantly prone to punishment would be harmful and not help children to realize that some actions are more serious than others. AL269.  Pope Leo:   With the same faith as Mary, let us become “weavers of hope” in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape. In the humble fidelity of daily life, even the era of AI can become a time in which the Holy Spirit brings about the civilization of love in our lives. Indeed, the Lord continues to make all things new and offers every era the possibility of becoming part of salvation history in the light of the Incarnation. I entrust our desire to the Mother of Christ, to the Woman of the Magnificat, that she may guide our steps through this time of change and preserve in each of us true faith in the Gospel, so that we may bear witness to the grandeur of humanity, in which God has made his dwelling. MH245

ACT AND PRAY  in thanksgiving for the gift of the wisdom of old age. Pray the Prayer of St Francis, 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.