August 4. Johnson, from Justice and Peace one day asked who in their families were the main breadwinners. They were not surprised to find that almost all the men did have that responsibility and many but not all of the women, although many shared the responsibility. Irrespective of the issue of gender balance as they listened to one another it was enlightening to share on how heavy a burden they each felt this to be. “Do you ever pray in your families about this?” he asked. 

Scripture:   Moses said to the Lord, “I am not able to carry all this people alone, the burden is too heavy for me.”  Read Numbers 11:4b-15. Pope Francis.   “Man” is presented as a labourer who works the earth, harnesses the forces of nature and produces the bread of anxious toil in addition to cultivating his own gifts and talents.  AL 23   We can appreciate the suffering created by unemployment and the lack of steady work as reflected in the Book of Ruth. AL 25.  JUBILEE.  All of us, however, need to recover the joy of living, since men and women, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26), cannot rest content with getting along one day at a time, settling for the here and now and seeking fulfilment in material realities alone. This leads to a narrow individualism and the loss of hope; it gives rise to a sadness that lodges in the heart and brings forth fruits of discontent and intolerance.  SNC 10  Act and pray. For the needs of families of all kinds to grow in love and acceptance.