October 18.  Sunday 29 A. SEE. MISSION SUNDAY.   Economic justice.  Fr Teddy asked the people, “The deadline for submitting our tax returns is coming up soon.  Have you submitted yours yet?  Do you do it the easy way by asking SARS to help and give them all the correct information or use a tax consultant to see how you can find ways to cut down on what you might owe the government? Maybe it is to do with our attitude towards tax, towards what we owe the government and what we believe they owe us. Economic justice is important. One of the tasks of families is to build up society so we have to challenge ourselves, teach our children and do what is lawful and just.  And because this is Mission Sunday there is an extra dimension too.  We may be totally within the law from a civil perspective but in terms of the law of love and concern for our neighbour what should we be doing in terms of giving to him, by way of giving to God.”

JUDGE. Reflect, share, Scripture Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God’s.  From Matt 22:15-21.  Pope Francis.  There is a poverty that stifles the spirit of initiative of so many young people by keeping them from finding work.  There is a poverty that dulls the sense of personal responsibility and leaves others to do the work while we go looking for favours.  There is a poverty that poisons the wells of participation and allows little room for professionalism; in this way it demeans the merit of those who do work and are productive.  To all these forms of poverty we must respond with a new vision of life and society. Message for 5th World Day of the Poor. Pope Leo:  Work remains a fundamental dimension of the human experience, for not only is it a means of sustenance, but it is also a context for expression, relationships and contributing to the community. Therefore, the problems related to work extend beyond the income necessary for family survival. A society that guarantees employment to only a small fraction of the population, despite having a high level of technical development, risks exposing many to forced inactivity, a lack of responsibility and the absence of daily tasks and stimuli, resulting in human and cultural impoverishment. MH54

ACT. Daily Prayer for Mission Month October, Year of St Francis and upcoming Local Elections in SA.  

Heavenly Father, during this Mission month, we praise and thank you for the gift of your love and the riches of your creation. As missionary disciples we answer your call to walk in the way of peace.  We lift up to you all leaders of nations. Grant them an open heart and a listening ear to hear the cries of the poor and the needy. Bless all missionaries, protect them from harm, strengthen their hearts in times of trial, and fill them with the joy of your Spirit. As we prepare for the elections and a renewal of society for the common good we acknowledge our shortcomings and faults. We hear the needs that call for help to build a united country under God, as a family of all the families of creation.  Mary, Mother of the Church and of the Rosary pray for us. St Francis, our model and patron saint of all of creation pray for us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen