June 24.  Birth of John the Baptist “JB is one of my favourite saints,” Alan said, “He was a specially chosen person and he responded to what he knew he was called to do.  Why are so many of our young people so wishy-washy with little sense of direction? Do they need strong parental and fatherly guidance, teachers or mentors to inspire them? Where does a sense of direction and hope for the future come from?  JB was a prophet like the Old Testament prophets preaching repentance and right behaviour. I wish God would speak to me and give me a sense of direction for my future.” 

Reflect, share and act. Scripture:  He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. Luke 1:16-17.  Pope  Francis:   Our world continues to create new forms of spiritual and material poverty that assault human dignity. MM 19   JUBILEE:  Lack of opportunity does great harm to the youth in particular, since it closes them to life’s beauty and richness, and can lead to depression and even self-destructive actions. For this reason, the Jubilee should  inspire the Church to make greater efforts to reach out to them. With renewed passion, let us demonstrate care and concern for adolescents, students and young couples, the rising generation. Let us draw close to the young, for they are the joy and hope of the Church and of the world! SNC 1.  Act and pray. For the needs of families and children as appropriate.