March 10.  You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people.  Therese was thinking, “There is a lot about laws and rules in the Old Testament isn’t there, especially the book of Leviticus?  But maybe that is suitable for Lent to get us to do some looking into our own sins. How many grudges do I bear and how many grudges are against those close to me?  Sometimes recognising their rights when I don’t agree is the hardest thing of all. I wonder why?  Sometimes it seems easier to go and love your neighbour then to make peace with your own family.   Most of us wouldn’t treat other people the way we treat our own family.   Why is there more domestic violence, abuse and incest within a family?  Why can’t we be responsible where it matters most?           

Reflect, share and act. Scripture:  You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. Lev 19:11-18. Pope Francis:   We cannot forget that mercy is not only the working of the Father, it becomes a criterion for knowing who his true children are. We are called to show mercy because mercy was first shown to us. AL 310.  Pastoral care for families needs to make it clear that the Gospel of the family responds to the deepest expectations of the human person, a response to each one’s dignity, fulfilment in reciprocity, communion and fruitfulness. AL200-1.   JUBILEE.  Looking to the future with hope entails having enthusiasm for life and a readiness to share it. Sadly, in many situations this is lacking. A number of countries are experiencing an alarming decline in the birthrate as a result of today’s frenetic pace  fears about the future, the lack of job security and adequate social policies, rather than concern for relationships. The tendency “to blame population growth, instead of extreme and selective consumerism on the part of some, is one way of refusing to face the [real] issues”.   SNC 9.    Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za/lent