10 March.  Ecological conversion. SEE. Joyce shared her thoughts, “The whole world was badly affected by the COVID-19 virus and health workers and families suffered many difficulties. More recently the invasion and wars in Ukraine,  Gaza  and elsewhere, have brought enormous hardship to all those affected.  Economic and environmental issues are playing an ever greater role in social wellbeing, with peoples being affected by floods, droughts, heatwaves, and icy weather.  Electricity and water supplies are affected too.  Who is responsible and who is to blame?  To what extent can we, each member of the population, consider ourselves accountable and make reparation?” She explained how the Israelites had been taken into exile in Babylon because of their wicked ways.  Some recognized their need for repentance and did pray with humility, acknowledging their guilt.  Is that what we also need? 

JUDGE, reflect and share. Scripture: In the midst of the fire Azariah opened his mouth, “We, O Lord have become fewer than any nation and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins.   And at this time there is no prince, or prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, or sacrifice, or incense, no place to make an offering before you.  Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted as though it were with burnt offerings. Dan 3:2-10.   Pope Francis:  What all need is an ecological conversion whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them.  Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential for a life of virtue. It is not an option or secondary aspect of our Christian experience. LS 217. Never has humanity had such power over itself, yet nothing ensures that it will be used wisely.  FT258. In calling to mind the figure of St Francis we come to realise that a healthy relationship with creation is one dimension of overall personal conversion, which entails the recognition of our errors, sins, faults and failures and leads to heartfelt repentance and desire to change. We need to experience a conversion, or change of heart.  LS 218.  Pope Leo: The peace of the risen Jesus is unarmed, because his was an unarmed struggle in the midst of concrete historical, political and social circumstances. Christians must together bear prophetic witness to this novelty, mindful of the tragedies in which they have too often been complicit. The great parable of the Last Judgment invites all Christians to act with mercy in this awareness (cf. Mt 25:31-46). In doing so, they will find brothers and sisters at their side who, in different ways, have listened to the pain of others and freed themselves inwardly from the deception of violence. PM

Reflect, share, act, pray.  Many environmental and social activists everywhere lobby and protest and make great sacrifices for their cause. During this Lenten season is there a cause each family person could adopt and be prepared to make sacrifices or risk our safety for?  We pray for the courage needed to stand up for justice, especially environmental justice.   

Eco-friendly Lenten Acts of Love and Sacrifice to do or develop for Families at Home hearing the.  “Cry of the earth, cry of the poor.”

  • Study and read. Spend timetogether discovering St Francis, Pope Francis and Pope Leo writings, especially on poor. Share and pray.
  • Do. A family project or activity, nature walk, plant, bird watch. Check carbon footprint. Clean-up, sort and donate for poor. Fast.  Visit. 
  • Save, reuse, recycle.  Water & electricity – no waste. Save money by fasting.  Support projects –food garden, security, charity,
  • Care for others.   Elderly, sick,  poor, lonely, share.   
  • Pray. Meet, share and pray also with other religions for peace & our earth. Pray Stations of the Cross for Families
  • Church.  Mass.Reconciliation/confession. Stations of the cross, Rosary.