August 21. SEE. Other-centredness.   Although the discussions in the groups were not intended to be only religious the topic of the great commandments and “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” with its two parts is taken very seriously today.   There is a greater emphasis on self-esteem and one’s own healthy self-image as opposed to focusing on a relationship with others.  Maysie said she didn’t want to be anyone’s doormat as that has happened too frequently in the past, with women always being exploited.   Joseph  shared, “I think women are getting to be too independent and even overbearing nowadays.  We men just can’t handle that.” Portia added, “It’s not easy to keep a balance but we really need to teach our kids constantly to think of another person and not just oneself. Even with teens a lot of the time it’s doing what I want or don’t want.

JUDGE. Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   Matt 22:39.  Pope Francis:  We treat loving relationships the way we treat material objects and the environment: everything is disposable: everyone uses and throws away, takes and breaks, exploits and squeezes the last drop.  Narcissism makes people incapable of looking beyond themselves, beyond their own desires and needs.  AL 39.  Pope Leo: War is not only fought, but also culturally conditioned through simplistic narratives, a friend-or-foe mentality, disinformation and fear. When historical memory fades and the ethical principles that protect civilians and the most vulnerable are weakened, it becomes easier to justify violence as necessary, inevitable or even “sanitized.”  MH192.    

ACT AND PRAY. Reflect and share as appropriate.  Pray St Francis Peace Prayer and pray: Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, Patroness of South Africa, pray for us.