MARFAM FAMILY WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER 23 JANUARY 202

The 2025 Jubilee year has already started, launched in many places on 24 December 2024, with opening of Holy Doors and messages, plans and pastoral letters on different aspects in the document on the Jubilee Spes non Confundit  which means “Hope does not Disappoint.”    In spite of some dramatic natural disasters, fires, floods and earthquakes that elicit hope, an aspect highlighted by Pope Francis is the importance of Signs of Hope, an outstanding example of this being the move towards an end to the war in Gaza.  We cannot but hope that Donald Trump’s presidency will bring hope to some people  while expecting there to be many challenges to others.  

MARFAM has picked up on the aspect of Signs of Hope and included them in our suggestions for action and reflection during the year.  Importantly the Holy Father notes that signs of hope do already exist, but also mentions that we, the human family, have to create the hope that is needed.  The signs focus mainly on various human needs rather than those of all of creation.  Maybe this is because we, humans have the capacity and responsibility to create hope, while the other creatures do not have that to the same extent. Some points below are extracts from the document.   

SIGNS OF HOPE from Pope Francis: ‘We need to recognize the immense goodness present in our world, lest we be tempted to think ourselves overwhelmed by evil and violence. The signs of the times, which include the yearning of human hearts in need of God’s saving presence, ought to become signs of hope. SNC7.

A brief summary : Some Existing and needed Signs of Hope in and by the community :   A desire for peace,  the transmission of life and the joy of living.  Special groups requiring Hope:  prisoners, the sick, youth, elderly, lonely and grandparents, migrants, exiles, refugees and displaced persons, the poor and all the most vulnerable in society.  

These signs will be unpacked over time with considerations for family life, but a particular sign chosen here is the subject of prisoners. Pope Francis takes this so seriously that he has created a Holy Door in one of the prisons in Rome with the same graces and indulgences as all other Holy Doors wherever they are.    

From Vatican news: Throughout his pontificate he has shown a deep and consistent compassionate concern for detainees.

Advocacy for prison reform.

At the heart of his advocacy in line with Catholic Social teaching. is a call to recognise the inherent dignity of all human beings, including those incarcerated.  He emphasizes the need to view prisons as institutions of rehabilitation rather than merely places of punishment, while acknowledging the right of victims to justice.

His frequent reminders reflect a broader message that even those who have committed serious offences retain their humanity and capacity to change for the better.

Key aspects of his advocacy are repeated calls for abolishing the death penalty.   In addition he criticizes life imprisonment as a “hidden death sentence.”  Systemic change is needed towards restorative justice versus retributive justice by way of systems that prioritize rehabilitation and social reintegration.   Overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and the marginalization of inmates within prison systems are well known and he urges governments to invest in restorative justice programmes and address social causes of crime rather than addressing symptoms.

The recent South African reality of illegal mining in abandoned gold mines and how it has been dealt with, in particular by the media, government and the police has been a scandalous case of injustice and abuse of human dignity.  Many media programmes and discussion have been held within society as a whole and it must be admitted that we, as believers, have overall shown little compassion.  We have been complicit in many ways, both negative and positive in pushing for a resolution while still carrying responsibility for the unwarranted deaths of so many men.  They are guilty of illegality, yet they are also innocent victims of a judgmental and unloving attitude in people. An overall attitude that criminals should “rot in jail” is all too common.  Pope Franci’s recent encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus focuses on Jesus’ love for everyone including sinners. Asking forgiveness is a means of healing relationships, for it “re-opens dialogue and manifests the will to re-establish the bond of fraternal charity. It touches the heart of our brother or sister, brings consolation and inspires acceptance of the forgiveness requested. Even if the irreparable cannot be completely repaired, love can always be reborn, making the hurt bearable”. DN 187   

A recurring theme in Pope Francis’s advocacy for promoting and being signs of hope is his concern for all the marginalized, particularly the poor and vulnerable everywhere, but who are disproportionately represented in prison populations.  Poverty and inequality contribute to this higher rate of crime and incarceration.

There are many social needs to be addressed as signs of hope by families and for families.   One community response by Christian and other faiths is prison ministry where teams of people conduct healing and spiritual enrichment programmes for inmates in prisons, which in South Africa are known as correctional facilities.     

Other examples of prisoners of course are hostages and/or prisoners-of-war many of whom have not even committed the crime of being actively engaged in warfare.  Pope Francis attitude of understanding  and compassion, of respecting the dignity of all life is in itself a Sign of Hope to be adopted by Catholic families and all people of goodwill.     TR  FAMILY WEEKLY 22 JANUARY.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY. JESUS AT THE HEART OF CONSECRATED LIFE.

23 January.  At a meeting of religious superiors Sr Malachy shared her concern about the behaviour of some members of her community.  Others, men and women, echoed her concern. They acknowledged that there was not always faithfulness to their vows. “It is the same in marriage we well know, but that is no excuse for us, surely we are called to be examples to one another and the families we care for.”  ,  

Reflect, share.  Scripture: A vow is a vow before God.  I am bound by the vows I have made you, O God, I will offer you praise.  From Psalm 56:13.  Pope Francis. Virginity is a form of love.  As a sign it speaks to us of the coming of the Kingdom and the need for complete devotion to the cause of the Gospel. AL 159.   JUBILEE The Heart of Christ frees us from another kind of dualism found in communities and pastors excessively caught up in external activities, structural reforms that have little to do with the Gospel, obsessive reorganization plans, worldly projects, secular ways of thinking and mandatory programmes. The result is often a Christianity stripped of the tender consolations of faith, the joy of serving others, the fervour of personal commitment to mission, the beauty of knowing Christ and the profound gratitude born of the friendship he offers and the ultimate meaning he gives to our lives. This is the expression of an illusory and disembodied otherworldliness.  DN 87    Pray for and support priests and religious that they may be true to their vows and their calling. Choose appropriate action.