Celebrating Holy Week and Easter at home with MARFAM, See suggestions below

22 March. Sunday Lent 5A. SEE. Fr Fidelis started his homily by saying,” Wasn’t that story of Lazarus and his sisters a very long one, but a nice one about Jesus and his very good friends.  Lazarus was ill but Jesus didn’t go there until later when Lazarus had died and the two sisters were mourning and grieving, while there were many visitors in the house too.  It is Martha who says to Jesus, “I know you can ask God to raise him up, but I also know that he will rise at the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the life”.  He then went to the tomb and in the name of the Father called Lazarus to come out.  So this long story is used to teach something about Jesus, about the Father and also the promise of new life, not to mention the friendship and the mourning of the sisters.”    

JUDGE, reflect and share. Scripture: Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?  ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me, I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that you have sent me.” John 11:1-45.  Pope Francis:  The New Testament does not only tell us of the earthly Jesus and his tangible and loving relationship with the world. It also shows him risen and glorious, present throughout creation by his universal Lordship. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile to himself all things.  LS100.  Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father. Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions and his entire person, reveals the mercy of God.  FM 1.  Pope Leo: The Encyclical Fratelli Tutti presents St Francis as a model of an awakening of conscience and critical thought. “In the world of his time bristling with watchtowers and defensive walls, cities were a theatre of brutal wars between powerful families, even as poverty was spreading through the countryside.  Yet there Francis was able to welcome true peace into his heart and free himself of the desire to wield power over others.  PM

St Francis Canticle:  PRAISED BE YOU,  my Lord, through our Sister bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.   Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.  “What we see in the life of Jesus and the song of Francis is that God does not create for death, annihilation, or frustration but rather to perfect his creatures into the full body of Christ. From Care for Creation (p90-91)

Reflect, share, act, pray.  It is painful to speak about death, that of our loved ones or even our own. This Sunday and this season of Lent for repentance and reconciliation could be a helpful opportunity to raise the subject.   

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER IN THE FAMILY  RESOURCES FROM MARFAM  downloadable or for sale. Contact MARFAM   +27 82 5521275   [email protected]    www.marfam.org.za

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY.   Downloadable from website  
STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR FAMILIES    in different languages    R10
STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR THE WIDOWED in different languages  R10
STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR THE BEREAVED.     R15
STATIONS OF LIGHT FOR FAMILIES (from Easter to Pentecost R10)
GOD’S PLAN OF LOVE. THE RESURRECTION STORY FOR CHILDREN activity booklet.  R20
LEAFLETS.   A simple Family Prayermeal.    Family Reconciliation Service.