October 28. “The Sabbath. Be honest”, the group leader said, “What does the Sabbath day mean to us nowadays?”  “I sleep late.” “I enjoy going to my sodality meeting.”   “I love the atmosphere in church even if it takes long.” “I feel guilty if I don’t go to Mass.” “We still go to church together and then go out for breakfast afterwards. It is one of the joys of my week.” “I have to work, no choice.” “Is there really a choice about what we could do on Sundays?  Do we talk about it as a family, or use it as a time to get away from one another?”  Jesus’ healing the woman on the Sabbath was a choice, a decision and an act of genuine compassion.      

Reflect, share, act. Scripture: At that time Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity. Luke 13:10-17. Pope Francis:  .” We are not exempt from pain and suffering: the whole creation groans (cf. Rom 8:19-22), we Christians groan (cf. vv. 23-25) and the Spirit himself groans (cf. vv. 26-27). This expresses apprehension and suffering, together with longing and desire. It speaks of our trust in God and our reliance on his loving yet demanding presence as we look forward to the fulfilment of his plan, which is joy, love and peace in the Holy Spirit.  From Message on Day of Prayer for Creation 2024. The family’s communal journey of prayer culminates by sharing together in the Eucharist, especially in the context of the Sunday rest. Jesus knocks on the door to share the Eucharistic supper. There spouses can always seal anew the paschal covenant which united them and which ought to reflect the covenant which God sealed with mankind on the cross. AL318 Action and Prayer.  Is Sunday an occasion for Sabbath rest or just another day of the week for my family?  Pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love, so that walking together we may renew the face of the earth.