July 2. SEE.    God uses all kinds of people young and old, educated and simple people, to spread his message and send out warnings. Amos was a herdsman but called by God to warn the people of the time about their evil ways. It can be frightening to look into the signs of the times and speak out. Student movements have sprung up and they often protest about rights while older people in Seniors groups share their concerns and their wisdom as a fruit of their years   Mrs Lois said, “I am pleased that young people in movements such as the YCS, i.e. Young Christian Students, are being trained to read the signs of the times today, to act, not just to react and demand their own way. Together with their leaders and guides they have an important role to play, while we their elders and grandparents support them as best we can with our means and prayers. After all, the future is for all of us to share.“

JUDGE. Reflect and share. Scripture. “The Lord said to me, “Go and prophesy to my people Israel! Amos 7: 10 – 17. Pope Francis: “I would like to reiterate the appeal for peace, justice and fraternity that I and the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb made together:

In the name of God who has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and who has called them to live together as brothers and sisters, to fill the earth and make known the values of goodness, love and peace …………… in the name of innocent human life, the poor, destitute and those most in need, orphans, widows, refugees and exiles, victims of war,……. and in the name of human fraternity and freedom we declare the adoption of a culture of dialogue, mutual cooperation and reciprocal understanding.” From 2019 Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. FT 285.

Pope Leo: For young people, job insecurity is particularly devastating. As the Bishops of the United States of America have recalled, work is not merely a source of income but a crucial sphere in which identity is formed, friendships and relationships are forged, practical responsibilities are learned and one’s vocation is discerned.  When access to work is hindered by high levels of unemployment, inadequate systems of training or structural barriers, many young people find the path to their human and professional fulfilment blocked. MH167.   

ACT AND PRAY. Who are the prophets of our day and how can we support their call?  Pray the Prayer of St Francis and pray for grandparents and the elderly.  We pray for God’s blessing on the grandparents and elderly of our families and community,  bless them with peace and contentment and an acceptance that their lives were well spent in your service. We ask St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, to pray with us.