Brief overview MARCH. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE FAMILY RIGHTS. The right to life should be paramount as it is in most Constitutions, e.g. the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Church’s Charter of Family Rights. All human life, as individuals, but also as family units, is precious from the first moment of existence until natural death. Concern for animal and plant life has become a growing concern on the issue of  biodiversity.  A culture of life approach should focus on the perspective of justice, but also of love and positive relationships. Pope Francis: Families and homes go together. It is important to insist on the rights of the family and not only of individuals. Families have the right to count on an adequate family policy on the part of public authorities in every domain. LS 44. The rights to free enterprise and market freedom cannot supersede the rights of peoples and the dignity of the poor, or respect for the natural environment, to administer it for the good of all. FT 122.   Pope Leo: From the beginning of Scripture, God’s love is vividly demonstrated by his protection of the weak and the poor, to the extent that he can be said to have a particular fondness for them. “God’s heart has a special place for the poor.”  DT17. For more on the month of March go to wwwwww,marfam.org.za

1 March.  Lent 2A. Transfiguration.  SEE. Fr Fidelis asked himself if South Africans live with fear more than other people do. Security is one of the biggest industries in the country.  He explained the Transfiguration story of Jesus being seen in a new glorious way as giving courage to the disciples.  It is always used during Lent because Jesus wanted to warn them that he would be handed over to his enemies, to suffer and be put to death. Sometimes we need, and are given, signs to strengthen our faith as Jesus gave to the three apostles who were witnesses at the transfiguration.  They saw Jesus glorified, as a sign of hope to deal with the troubled times that Jesus was warning them about. 

JUDGE, reflect and share. Scripture:“ He was transfigured before them, his face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. As they were coming down the mountain Jesus commanded them, “tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.” Matt 17:1-9.   Pope Francis:  Saint John Henry Newman came to the realization that his deepest encounter with himself and with the Lord came not from his reading or reflection, but from his prayerful dialogue, heart to heart, with Christ, alive and present.  Dilexit Nos 26.    Pope Leo:  Love for the Lord is one with love for the poor. The same Jesus who tells us, “The poor you will always have with you” (Mt 26:11), also promises the disciples: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). We likewise think of his saying: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did it to me.” Dilexi Te 5.

St Francis. As we reflect on the life of St Francis we remember his overwhelming love of the Crucified Jesus, who gifted him with the stigmata, the five wounds of Jesus on his own body, to allow Francis, with great love, to share in Jesus’ suffering. 

From The Little Flowers of St Francis. St Francis was praying before daybreak at the entrance of his cell, and turning his face towards the east, he prayed, “O Lord Jesus Christ, two graces do I ask of thee before I die; the first, that in my lifetime I may feel, as far as possible, both in my soul and body, that pain which thou, sweet Lord, didst endure in the hour of thy most bitter Passion; the second, that I may feel in my heart as much as possible of that excess of love by which thou, O Son of God, was inflamed to suffer so cruel a Passion for us sinners.”

REFLECT – SHARE- ACT – PRAY. We all have fears and anxieties that we can share and bring them to Jesus knowing we can put our trust in him.  Share too what gives you courage and pray for an increase?