February 21.  David suggested, “Like the rainbow story there are lessons for reflection in the Tower of Babel story too.  Here their unity is seen as almost a gangster mentality while power is the motivation. Is it that when we get too proud and big for our boots we need to be cut down to size?  Just looking at society today in dozens of ways there certainly seems to be a problem with accepting even legitimate authority like traffic rules, but gangsterism and extortion are a serious and growing social problem.” 

 Reflect, share. Scripture: God said, “Behold they are one people and they have all one language and this is only the beginning of what they will do and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.   Come let us go down and confuse their language.”  Gen 11:1-9.  Pope Francis.  Freedom of choice makes it possible to plan our lives and to make the most of ourselves.   Yet if this freedom lacks noble goals or personal discipline it degenerates into an inability to give oneself generously to others. This can be seen in marriage where more and more people are choosing to live alone or simply spend time together. A family can come to be seen as a way station. AL 34.   JUBILEE.  Judgement concerns the salvation in which we hope and which Jesus has won for us by his death and resurrection. The evil we have done cannot remain hidden; it needs to be purified in order to enable this encounter with God’s love. We begin to see the need of our prayers for all those who have ended their earthly pilgrimage, that is effective by virtue of the communion of the saints, and the shared bond that makes us one in Christ, the firstborn of all creation. The Jubilee indulgence, thanks to the power of prayer, is intended in a particular way for those who have gone before us, so that they may obtain full mercy.   SNC  22.  Prayer and action. Pray for and offer indulgences for those who have gone before us. Choose appropriate action.