August 22. SEE.  Subsidiarity and gender roles .  It’s not done in our culture for a man to sweep the house and serve his wife and family at table.   I could never act like a servant,” one man announced, “what will my friends think,” he added.   “Are our gender stereotypes determined by others or do we make our own decisions?”   “They say peer pressure is great in young people, but I think it is just as hard for us men.”   Most of the men agreed and one added, “Also in polygamous families, how can a father be fully available to a larger number of wives and children to genuinely serve their best interests?” “Rayhab, the social worker, summed it all up.  “Whatever the particular circumstances are, the principles of equality between men and women and of subsidiarity – each having their proper role- ould be respected.”       

JUDGE. Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   He who is greatest among you shall be your servant, whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt 23:12. Pope Francis: Freedom of choice makes it possible for people to plan our lives and to make he most of ourselves. Yet if this freedom lacks noble goals or personal discipline it degenerates into an inability to give oneself generously to others.  AL 33.  Pope Leo: The Social Doctrine of the Church refers to subsidiarity as the principle according to which the role of individuals, families, local communities and intermediary organizations should not be supplanted by higher-level authorities.  It is the responsibility of the political community to create the conditions that allow individuals, families, associations and intermediary organizations to fulfil their mission in society, without being replaced or reduced to mere facilitators.  70. This principle encourages us to move beyond any form of paternalistic or welfare-based management of societal life, but instead to promote a culture of shared responsibility in a State that values citizens’ initiative, and a civil society capable of forging bonds and mobilizing energies in the service of the common good.  NH 68-70.       

ACT AND PRAY.  For freedom and generosity in families.  Pray St Francis Peace Prayer and pray: Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, Patroness of South Africa, pray for us.