June 21.  “Now girls, no showing off any more.”  The boys teased the girls mostly about how they looked but the girls got their own back by challenging the guys on how they acted.   “Remember that ex-singer Jub Jub, he was a real show-off and where did that get him, jail for killing innocent schoolchildren with his street drag racing in 2010. I read that he was released from prison in 2017 on parole, vowed to turn his life around and was active again in the music industry.”  “Showing off happens in church too. Some people go to show how holy they are, or even to dress up and impress, but are they really spiritual?  Let’s take this seriously because it also concerns a reward in heaven.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Beware of practising your piety before men in order to be seen by them.  For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven Matt 6:1-6.  Pope Francis: Dare to be more, because who you are is more important than any possessions. What good are possessions or appearances? You can become what God your Creator knows you are, if only you realise that you are called to something greater.   Ask the help of the Holy Spirit and confidently aim for the great goal of holiness.  In this way, you will not be a photocopy. You will be fully yourself.  CV 107 Escaping into drugs, risk-taking and the pursuit of momentary pleasure does greater harm to them in particular, since it closes them to life’s beauty and richness, and can lead to depression and even self-destructive actions. For this reason, the Jubilee should inspire the Church to make greater efforts to reach out to them. With renewed passion, let us demonstrate care and concern for adolescents, students and young couples, the rising generation. Let us draw close to the young, for they are the joy and hope of the Church and of the world!   SNC 11