September 19. “Why do people keep some of their traditions and cultures a secret?”   This was something the family had noted on their travels.  They had been welcomed in many places but seldom really got to know people’s real life traditions. They listed some reasons. It has to do with privacy, with fear, embarrassment, with not wanting to be challenged, with maintaining a sense of belonging to a particular interest group, and also to superstition or even a lack of interest.  “You know I wonder if there was much more secrecy around in former times than now.  On one side everyone seems to know everything about everybody but at the same time we often keep things that worry us to ourselves.“  

Scripture: Jesus said “no one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. Luke 8:16-17.  Pope Francis:   Regrettably many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. LS 14    Dialogue and cooperation need to be fostered with societal structures and encouragement given to lay people who are involved as Christians in the cultural and socio-political fields.   AL 201      ECO-TIP AND PRAYER:  Start or get involved in an interracial peace-building campaign on social media centred on couples and families.  Pray together for racial harmony in homes and families.  Pray  Glory be to the Father……