January 10. Infertility.  Hannah’s rival used to provoke her sorely to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.  Bruce, the group’s scripture guide, noted that the readings starting “Ordinary Time” in the Church year also start with a story of “family beginnings” which is our January theme.   A story in the book of Samuel tells of Elkanah a man with two wives, one who has children and Hannah who is infertile and is taunted by the other wife.  Children have always been regarded as a natural aspect of married life. Infertility is a complex issue that it seen as a curse in some cultures and can be a great strain on a marriage too.  A woman can feel very anxious as she may long for a child but she may be blamed and, in some cultures, may even be rejected by her husband for another wife, even though the infertility could just as well be his problem.  Becoming an eco-friendly family:  Start a vegetable garden: plan, get seeds or buy plants.

Hannah’s rival used to provoke her sorely to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.  So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord Hannah wept and would not eat. Elkanah her huband said to her, “Why is your heart so sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Pope Francis. Some couples are unable to have children. We know that this can be a cause of real suffering for them.  At the same time we know that marriage was not instituted solely for the procreation of children. Where there are no children marriage still retains its character of being a whole communion of life and preserves its value and indissolubility.  AL178