November 15th.  When Stuart lost his job it seemed like the end of the world to him.  The retrenchment package was only going to help the family for a few months and he was the main breadwinner.  He fell into depression and for a time wouldn’t talk to anyone.  Even when the family prayed together he kept away, feeling abandoned.  It was little Belinda who came to him one evening and jumped on his lap, put her arms around him and hugged him and said, “Why are you sad, Daddy.  I love you and wish you would come and play like we used to.” That shook him out of his depression and he was able to start looking for a job again. 

Scripture: Behold I stand at the door and knock.   If any one hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me.  He who conquers I will grant him to sit with me on my throne. Rev 3:1-22. Pope Francis:  We can appreciate the suffering created by unemployment and the lack of steady work. This takes its toll on the serenity of family life.  AL25. There is no poverty worse than that which takes away work and the dignity of work. In a genuinely developed society, work is an essential dimension of social life, for it is not only a means of earning one’s daily bread, but also of personal growth, the building of healthy relationship, self-expression and the exchange of gifts. LS 162