April 11. The ecumenical group discussed, “Why do Muslims have a big issue with blasphemy and we Christians don’t?  You dare not take the name of the prophet Mohammed in vain and yet people use the name of God and of Jesus in disrespectful ways all the time.” “When Jesus was accused of blasphemy his Jewish listeners saw him as taking God’s power on himself by saying,  ‘your sins are forgiven.’  For us this is one of the proofs of his divinity.” “Whatever our background is respect for God and religious matters should still be accepted and even promoted as important.”   

Reflect, share and act. Scripture:  The Jews answered, “We stone you for no good work but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God.”  From John 10:31-42.  Pope Francis:  JUBILEE. The Jubilee Year will also coincide with a significant date for all Christians, namely, the 1700th anniversary of the celebration of the first great Ecumenical Council, that of Nicaea. From apostolic times, bishops have gathered on various occasions in order to discuss doctrinal questions and disciplinary matters. In the first centuries of Christianity, synods frequently took place in both East and West, showing the importance of ensuring the unity of God’s People and the faithful proclamation of the Gospel. The Jubilee can serve as an important occasion for giving concrete expression to this form of synodality, which the Christian community today considers increasingly necessary for responding to the urgent need for evangelization. All the baptized, with their respective charisms and ministries, are co-responsible for ensuring that manifold signs of hope bear witness to God’s presence in the world.    SNC 17. Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za