August 3.  Sunday 18C.  Fr Joseph said, “Just last week we were reflecting on grandparents and the elderly.  Now this month we take a different look at families. Who is most covetous, most consumerist, or money-minded?  Men or women, older or younger?  This week we look ahead as well as looking back.  You have toiled away and what do you have to show for it?  Maybe become wealthy or maybe not.  You can’t take material wealth with you any way when you die.  What can you take is the knowledge that you have tried.  As grandmothers especially think about how hard and how successful you have been in bringing up your children and grandchildren.  Many of us are disappointed that our young people do not go to church. Did we work on addressing that?   Only you can answer that.  If you have tried your best, God knows and can give you peace of mind.  Remember that the special gift the elderly have to share is prayer.  Until your last day your prayer can sustain you and support you and bring you peace.

Scripture: Jesus said to them;” take heed, and beware of all covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  And he told a parable, “the land of a rich man brought forth plentifully.  ” Luke 12:13-23 Pope Francis:   The current global situation engenders a feeling of instability and uncertainty, which in turn becomes a seedbed for collective selfishness and peoples’ greed increases.   The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume.  LS 204.  JUBILEE:   Echoing the age-old message of the prophets, the Jubilee reminds us that the goods of the earth are not destined for a privileged few, but for everyone. The rich must be generous and not avert their eyes from the faces of their brothers and sisters in need.   SNC 16.  Act and pray. For the needs of families of all kinds to grow in love and acceptance.