For a complete overview of the month go to https://marfam.org.za/marfam-april-2025-thoughts-for-the-day/

April overview. God and Family. Lent, Holy Week, Easter and Eastertime. God, as Trinity is family, the perfect community of love and as such is present in the whole Lenten and Easter Season of sacrifice and also with the Jubilee focus of hope and the particular emphasis on Jesus, the Son, crucified and risen. Every human family, as individuals and a unit, is an image of God, called to mirror the relationship of the Trinity.  St Francis, recognizing the family of creation, in his Canticle of the Creatures praises God: ”We praise you Lord for all your creatures, brother sun, sister moon, brother fire, sister water, mother earth and all creation. To you O Lord do they belong, you created them and they bear your likeness.” How has that image of the Trinity been disfigured, as fire, water and wind are today such destructive forces? Humankind too disfigures God’s image while we are  gifted with power of understanding, to love to hurt and to forgive, because of love. Hope of salvation underlies the whole Lenten journey with the  virtue of patience closely linked with hope.

Pope Francis: The ultimate destiny of the universe is in the fulness of God already attained by the risen Christ. All creatures are moving forward with us and through us towards a common point of arrival which is God. LS83. In the family, called a domestic church individuals enter upon an ecclesial experience of communion among persons which reflects, through grace, the mystery of the Holy Trinity. AL86. JUBILEE. Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross: “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life” (Rom 5:19). That life becomes manifest in our own life of faith, which begins with Baptism, develops in openness to God’s grace and is enlivened by a hope constantly renewed and confirmed by the working of the Holy Spirit.  SNC 3 

Setting the scene. As in the days of Lent during March. Eastertime is for many also holiday time, but as families let this season of autumn be a special blessing on our relationship with God through the moments of togetherness and sharing. 

APRIL THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY.

April 1. “Sir I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is troubled.”  Outside the church on Sunday morning there was a whole row of beggars. “Me, me, please help me, give me, just R5 madam!”  Suzie said to herself, “I never know what to do and always feel bad, like I don’t trust them.” Maysie thought, “What would Jesus do?”  “You know full well,” the little voice of conscience said. ”Jesus mission was healing, making people whole again.” 

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: At the pool of Bethzatha among the multitude of invalids there was a man who had been ill for 38 years. Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time. He asked the man, “do you want to be healed?”.  The sick man said to Jesus, “Sir I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is troubled.” From John 5:1-16. Pope Francis:  JUBILEE.  Signs of hope should also be shown to the sick, at home or in hospital. Their sufferings can be allayed by the closeness and affection of those who visit them. Works of mercy are also works of hope that give rise to immense gratitude. This should likewise be shown to all those healthcare workers who, often in precarious conditions, carry out their mission with constant care and concern for the sick and for the most vulnerable.  Attention should also be given to those in particularly difficult situations, who experience their own weaknesses and limitations, especially those affected by illnesses or disabilities that severely restrict their personal independence and freedom. SNC 11.  Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za 

A JUBILEE PRAYER FOR FAMILIES.   

May the FAITH you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of LOVE enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, awaken in us the HOPE for the coming of your KINGDOM of love, peace and beauty. As PILGRIMS OF HOPE and SIGNS OF HOPE in our families help us to plant the seeds of the gospel, to care for and nurture them and so transform the Church, the world and all of creation.  Amen