July 23rd.  Mr Mosemane had been a school principal in his day.   He was known to be strict but fair but still quite an intimidating person to most of his family.  Even his wife, sons and grandsons held him in awe.  It was Portia, the youngest daughter who had been close to him and cared for him after his beloved wife, Bernadette died.  One day he explained. “I had a policy that in my school no child would be expelled except as an absolute last resort. Troublesome boys and girls were left in their classes but had to be disciplined appropriately whenever necessary. I spoke to them, to parents, to other teachers and the school board about all that.  A visit from the nearby prison helped too.  

Scripture:   Jesus told a parable. “Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, gather the weeds first and burn them but gather the wheat into my barn.”  Matthew 13:24-30.  Pope Francis: It is essential to help children and adolescents to realise that misbehaviour has consequences.  They need to be encouraged to put themselves in other people’s shoes and to acknowledge the hurt they have caused. Some punishments for aggressive and antisocial conduct can partially serve this purpose. AL 268