INTRODUCTION. Family Losses and Endings.  Losses big and small are inevitable in daily life. Birth, growth, decline and death are the natural cycle of every element of creation, inanimate and those with greater consciousness. It may be a painless letting go, or a cataclysmic event or a source of renewal of the land. Extinction is a serious concern for the animal and plant kingdoms where in general numbers are decreasing while human numbers increase. For us created with special capabilities and gifts to love and hurt and forgive, this time of the year is a special gift to remember life and death and their Creator as well as ultimate resurrection and reunion with our loved ones. Pope Francis: If we accept death we can prepare ourselves for it.  The better we live on this earth, the greater the happiness we will be able to share with our loved ones in heaven. AL 258. For human beings to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation, these are sins against the natural world, ourselves and against God.  LS8 Leaving an inhabitable planet to future generations is first and foremost our concern. The issue is one which dramatically affects us, for it has to do with the ultimate meaning of our earthly sojourn. LS 160.   JUBILEE. As the Second Vatican Council observed: “In every age, the Church has the responsibility of reading the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. In this way, in language adapted to every generation, she can respond to people’s persistent questions about the meaning of this present life and of the life to come, and how one is related to the other” SNC1

For full list for November go to https://marfam.org.za/marfam-november-2025-thoughts-for-the-day/

Setting the scene. Bryan and Joan had been active members of a parish family group for a long time.  Some time after losing his wife, Joan, after a long battle with cancer Bryan decided to explore a healing ministry. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

November 1.  There are 2 things in life that are certain:  death and change. Bryan in his research had noted how strong the fear of death is for many people.   If he invited a discussion on the topic people sometimes refused to come or often shied away from the subject.   It intrigued him that when he promoted a workshop by saying there would free funeral cover for the first 10 attendees suddenly there was greater interest. “What is the greatest driving force in life he wondered, is it status, wealth or humble and genuine concern for others?  

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Jesus told a parable to those who were invited when he marked how they chose the places of honour, saying to them. “when you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honour lest a more eminent man than you be invited. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” uke 14: 1-11 Pope Francis:   If we accept death, we can prepare ourselves for it.  The way is to grow in our love for those who walk at our side, until that day when “death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more.  Rev 21:4. AL 258. We direct our gaze to the end of time when the Son will deliver all things to the Father so that God may be everything to everyone. LS 100.   Jubilee. what is the basis of our hope? To understand this, let us stop and reflect on “the reasons for our hope” (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). “I believe in life everlasting. So our faith professes. Christian hope finds in these words an essential foundation. For hope is “that theological virtue by which we desire… eternal life as our happiness”. SNC19.    Act and Pray for compassionate concern for those suffering loss in their families.