March 14.  Many parents these days are seriously concerned about their children, the way they live and how they flout family rules on all sorts of issues. The social worker didn’t have to tell them, “Whether it is drugs, sex or bullying or stealing it seems the youth have forgotten what is right. Are you parents responsible, and enforce punishment, even have your children arrested if necessary? But then do you then ask for lenience or try to get them off?   Of course the other aspect is that children threaten their parents if they do try to make them toe the line.  What is really the answer to this problem behaviour when both sides want to claim their rights?  Are there enough opportunities given to families to learn and practice behaviour skills within the larger issue of rights and responsibilities?” Can family prayer for peace in the home make a difference.

Reflect, share. Scripture: Read the relevant scripture passages.  The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this stiff-necked people now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn against them. But Moses begged the Lord, “why does your wrath burn hot against your people?  Turn from your fierce wrath and repent of this evil against your people. And the Lord repented. Read Exodus 32:7-14. Pope Francis: Justice and mercy are not two contradictory realities but two dimensions of a single reality that unfolds progressively until it culminates in the fullness of love. Jesus goes beyond the law and affirms that the rule for life must place mercy at the centre. FM 20. LSAP 4. Adopting a sustainable lifestyle.    Pray a Lenten prayer.  Choose appropriate action.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

 Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;and it is in dying (to self) that we are born to eternal life. Amen