25 August to 6 October.  MARRIAGE SEASON and SEASON OF CREATION.  MARRIAGE REFLECTIONS  Week 21 – 27 Year B.  As was suggested by SECAM (The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar) after the 1994 African Synod, the Sundays of weeks 21 to  27 in the year B have since 1997 been promoted by MARFAM as a time to focus on marriage.  This was adopted too by the SACBC for a time.  MARFAM continues to incorporate this focus into THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY for the Sundays as well as the weekdays of this time.  MARFAM also promotes THE SEASON OF CREATION the interdenominational ecological awareness project from September 1 to October 4 which has been adopted by the Catholic Church. This will also be incorporated where appropriate in THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY during this time.   The Sunday Reflections are based on the Sunday Readings.  The daily reflections are general issues around marriage and/ot creation with passages from scripture or Church teaching and a word from Pope Francis or other Church writings.     

August 25. WEEK 1, 21st Sunday.  Husband and Wife are like Jesus and the Church.  Eph 5:21-32,   John 6:60-69 .   Fr Peter had decided that during the next few he would focus his homilies on the sacrament of marriage and its practical aspects. He started by saying, “In the last century much has changed in the roles of men and women, within their marriage and in all aspects of life.  Women’s liberation has given women far greater freedom, but has also had a great impact on the men.  Each couple has to resolve the balance for themselves in all the areas of their relationship, their roles, their work, money, time and friends. Who is the boss in your home?  How comfortablne are you both with the situation? I invite you to go home and give this whole important scripture passage in Ephesians 5 your serious attention.

Scripture: ‘Give way to one another in obedience to Christ.’  From Ephesians 5: 21-32.   Pope Francis: The essential message about marriage to everyone is that it should not be a negative relationship of subjection but a positive one of total commitment and self-giving. This reciprocal submission is seen as a freely chosen mutual belonging marked by fidelity, respect and care. Sexuality is inseparably at the service of this conjugal friendship, for it is meant to aid the fulfilment of the other. AL156  

Questions for SHARING AND ACTION  – for couples, individuals or groups. 

  • What does (my) marriage in the Catholic Church really mean to me?
  • How can I support married couples for the good of the Church and society?
  • As a married couple what contribution are we making to Church life?  Are we acting responsibly, to one another, our children and the community?
  • Sexuality is not only a gift to the human family but is the essential life-force of plant and animal species too. Sexuality is God’s plan for ongoing creation.  

Conclude with a moment of prayer