April 17.   When Moses and James met at the Sunday soccer game they sometimes complained that their wives were always busy with sodality matters. “I want her home on Sunday morning to cook for us, ”Moses said and James nodded his agreement. Daniel, overhearing them chipped in, “I’m sad, my wife has died recently of Covid-19 and now what am I supposed to do?  My children all have their own families or sodalities to be worried about.  So I invited them all for a general family meeting to talk things through.  We were all able to share, our feelings and even our differences that had been bothering us.   Listening carefully to one another helped us to come up with some suggestions that we can all live with.

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.  And the Twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.  Therefore pick out from among you seven men of good repute full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.  Acts 6:1-7.  Pope Francis:   When injustices have occurred on both sides, it is important to take into clear account whether they were equally great or in any way comparable.   The bishops of Croatia have stated that we owe equal respect to every innocent victim.   There can be no racial, national, confessional or partisan differences.”  FT253   Reflect, share, pray.   Are we dealing with family issues in the best way God would wish for us all?