August 18. SEE.   Money.  The conversation in the group came back to possessions and money management again.  This is a sore point in many relationships.  Men complain that women are spenders, women complain that men are mean and irresponsible, drink or gamble.  “My husband refuses to tell me what he earns.”  “I need to ration the money I give to my wife because she just spends it all.”  Such comments came from all around the groups.  Are there gender traits when it comes to managing finances or is it to do with one’s personal ideology, be it socialist or capitalist even?  They also came to recognise that not everyone is called to give up all worldly possessions. That is a special calling.  Everyone is called, however, to have a proper balance even recognising that wealth and greed and corruption can be problems at any level. 

JUDGE. Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”   From Matt 19:23-30.  Pope Francis: Many things have to change, but it is we human beings above all who need to change.  We lack an awareness of our common origin, our mutual belonging and a future to be shared with everyone. This basic awareness would enable the development of new convictions, attitudes and forms of life.   LS 202.   Pope Leo: The Biblical story of building of the tower of Babel tells us that when a city is built on pride and the claim to self-sufficiency, communication breaks down, languages are confused and people no longer understand each other. The result is not unity, but dispersion. Babel thus reveals the limits of any effort that, however grandiose, arises from self-affirmation, sacrifices human dignity for efficiency and aspires to reach heaven without God’s blessing.  MH 7 ACT AND PRAY.  Reflect on the gender aspect of money management and the need for communication and balance.  Pray for guidance.