September 14.  24th Sunday Year C.   Also feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.    

The Phantana family had spent a few weeks already taking an eco-safari around parts of the country. Every day they did make time for some reflection and faith sharing on the scripture readings of the day. Particularly on a Sunday they took it easy, shared chores and did some housekeeping.  George shared, “it’s interesting that when we are more relaxed we tend to have less arguments, as if there isn’t anything to fight about.”  When they were sharing after Sunday Mass Pauline wondered, ““Let’s think about the gospel today and the young son who was anxious to leave home and maybe look for some excitement in his life What was behind his wish to take his inheritance and go?  His brother, his father?   Didn’t he have enough freedom, or was he like one of the young people Pope Francis talks about who are dissatisfied with life and the things they have.   Maybe social media has tempted him to want to do his own thing.   Not having a job yet does make many young guys restless.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture. . “Father, give my share of property that falls to me.” He took a journey into a far country and there he squandered his property in loose living.    Luke 15:1-32.  Pope Francis: We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our solvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.   Entrance antiphon feast of the Triumph of the Cross.     Today’s media do enable us to communicate and to share our knowledge and affections. Yet at times they also shield us from direct contact with the pain, the fears and the joys of others and the complexity of their personal experiences. For this reason, we should be concerned that, alongside the exciting possibilities offered by these media, a deep and melancholic dissatisfaction with interpersonal relations, or a harmful sense of isolation, can also arise. LS 47.   ECO-TIP. Consider the reality of young people struggling with depression, a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives and even contemplating suicide. Can you reach out to anyone in need?  DAILY PRAYER.  God of love show us as families how to be channels of Your love for all Your creatures.  Pour out Your Spirit upon us as we pray and work together to tend the garden and foster peace with creation.