November 26th.  Bryan in concluding his tour of the healing groups he had visited said, “At a time of loss people are particularly vulnerable and without being given support, or using the support that is offered, they may give in to depression, addictions like alcohol or addictive medication.  A vicious cycle could be set up that also leads to a personal sense of loss of dignity and self-esteem. How would you like to look, standing before God on your judgement day?  Drunk and disorderly, beautifully dressed and made up or like your real, normal self, the way you lived? Jesus has a word of advice for us!”   

Scripture:  “Watch at all times praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of man.”  From Luke 21:34-36   Pope Francis:  No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed, families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love. This is a never-ending vocation born of the full communion of the Trinity.   Our contemplation of the fulfilment which we have yet to attain allows us to see in proper perspective the historical journey which we make as families and in this way to stop demanding of our interpersonal relationships a perfection, a purity of intentions and a consistency which we will only encounter in the Kingdom to come. This keeps us from judging harshly those who live in situations of frailty.  All of us are called to keep striving towards something greater than ourselves and our families. Let us make this journey as families, let us keep walking together. AL 325