December 15.  December 11th.  Arrive alive.  In an end-of-the-year project the children had made a poster of the 10 Commandments. “Which ones should we be aware of at this time, I wonder,” Mom had asked.  “Probably all of them” was the answer. “But let us pray around the 5th commandment “Do not kill.”   Cornelius had spent two years studying to become a paramedic.  “It isn’t just doing a bit of first aid, you know,” he stated.  “We do a lot of serious life-saving, but sometimes road accidents, road rage, drowning, reckless driving, drinking and driving are so often totally unnecessary, and even make us cross.  I know we do a lot of good, but too much “snot and trane” (Afrikaans saying) could be avoided by being more careful.”   Scripture: “O that you had listened to my commandments. Then your peace would have been like a river . your offspring would have been like the sand and your descendants like its grains.  Is 48:17-19  Pope Francis: Pope Benedict asked us to recognize that the natural environment and the social environment have been gravely damaged by our irresponsible behaviour.  Both are due to the same evil: the notion that there are no indisputable truths to guide our lives, and hence human freedom is limitless.  LS 6. Reflect, share, and pray: How many people will die on the roads these holidays?  Will it be more or less than last year?  Let us pray to St Christopher for protection and that all drivers will act responsibly for the safety of their passengers and other families on the road.”