March 25. The Annunciation. JOIN WITH CHURCHES AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE WORLD IN THE CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” Pearl shared some of her insights with the others on the feast of the Annunciation.   “Mary, a young girl, betrothed to be married, had her life completely turned upside down by the invitation she received through the angel Gabriel to be the mother of the Messiah. She rightly questioned the angel, asking how this could be possible, but her ‘yes’ to God was unconditional. From that moment on she devoted her life to her Son.   This was nevertheless an unplanned pregnancy, and at that time it could have been as problematical as it has been for many other young women until our day. According to custom she could have been killed but Joseph had responded positively to God’s message in a dream, and accepted and treasured Mary as his wife and Jesus as his son.  Unwed mothers in different cultures have had very difficult experiences, as was reported a while ago, where the moms and their babies were badly mistreated in institutions, because of the judgmental attitudes of the Church, the community and their own families too.  Today, abortion is legal in South Africa and is too commonly chosen but it remains seriously sinful. Social and family support for the right to life of unborn babies should always be available. (Stained glass window in Regina Mundi church in Soweto.)  

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” From Luke 1:26-38.   Pope Francis: The Church has been present for centuries throughout the world and all things human are our concern. Wherever the councils of nations come together to establish the rights and duties of man, we are honoured to take our place among them. This journey of fraternity also has a Mother, whose name is Mary.  Having received universal motherhood at the foot of the cross she cares not only for Jesus but also for the rest of her children. She wants to give birth to a new world, where all of us are brothers and sisters.  FT 278.  SA Youth Responsibilities Bill 3. The right to life places on me the responsibility to protect and defend the lives of others, not endanger the lives of others and live a healthy life by exercising, eating correctly, not smoking abusing alcohol or drugs or indulging in irresponsible behaviour.  Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za/lent