ELDER ABUSE DAY-END OF RAMADAN
Luke, Chapter 9, Verse 44-45
44 “Pay attention to what I am
telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 45 But they did not understand this
saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about
this saying.
The apostles were so caught up with the glory of
Christ and their own dreams of power that they dared not look at the truth. We
often prefer to live in fantasy rather than face the present and actually see
what is really going on. We like the apostles must “Pay Attention.” We must be
mindful of others and support them where we can, we must check in with others,
exercise forgiveness and engage in service to others and our (first to our
families, charity begins at home-there should be no orphans in your family)
community.
Amoris Lætitia[1]
Looking to Jesus: The Vocation of the Family-Jesus
restores and fulfills God’s plan (61-65)
Contrary to those who rejected marriage as evil, the
New Testament teaches that “everything created by God is good and nothing is to
be rejected.” Marriage is “a gift” from the Lord. At the same time, precisely
because of this positive understanding, the New Testament strongly emphasizes
the need to safeguard God’s gift: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and
let the marriage bed be undefiled.” This divine gift includes sexuality: “Do
not refuse one another.” God’s original plan for man and woman, reaffirmed the
indissoluble union between them, even stating that ‘it was for your hardness of
heart that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it
was not so’ (Mt 19:8). The indissolubility of marriage – ‘what God has joined
together, let no man put asunder’ (Mt 19:6) – should not be viewed as a ‘yoke’
imposed on humanity, but as a ‘gift’ granted to those who are joined in
marriage… God’s indulgent love always accompanies our human journey; through
grace, it heals and transforms hardened hearts, leading them back to the
beginning through the way of the cross. Through his Church, Christ bestows on marriage and the
family the grace necessary to bear witness to the love of God and to live the
life of communion. The Gospel of the family spans the history of the world,
from the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen
1:26-27), to the fulfillment of the mystery of the covenant in Christ at the end
of time with the marriage of the Lamb (cf. Rev 19:9).” He began his public ministry with the miracle at the
wedding feast of Cana (cf. Jn 2:1-11). In this way he demonstrated the true
meaning of mercy, which entails the restoration of the covenant (cf. John Paul
II, Dives in Misericordia, 4). We need to enter into the mystery of Jesus’
birth, into that “yes” given by Mary to the message of the angel, when the Word
was conceived in her womb. We need to contemplate the joy of the shepherds
before the manger. We need to contemplate the religious expectation of
Zechariah and his joy at the birth of John the Baptist. We then need to peer
into those thirty long years when Jesus earned his keep by the work of his
hands, reciting the traditional prayers and expressions of his people’s faith
and coming to know that ancestral faith until he made it bear fruit in the
mystery of the Kingdom. This is the mystery of Christmas and the secret of
Nazareth, exuding the beauty of family life!
The abuse of the elderly is a serious
issue and something that this day aims to raise much-needed awareness of. The
elderly should be given support and protection all year round, and today
ensures their plight is not ignored. Financial, emotional, or physical abuse
and neglect can be a real everyday issue for some elders in the world – in
fact, it is estimated that around 500,000 elders in the UK alone are being
subjected to abuse today. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day encourages us to make
steps towards a world where elder abuse is no longer an issue, by raising
awareness and providing resources and information to help the battle against
it.
The History of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The United Nations General Assembly
designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness day in its 66/127
resolution. It is meant to be a day in which the entire world voices its
opposition to any form of abuse of the older generation. The amount of older
people in the world is growing, and will continue to do so – in fact, pretty
much all countries in the world are expecting considerable growth in the number
of elderly residents between 2015 and 2030. Despite it being an accepted
issue across the world and the subject of much opposition, elder abuse is one
of the least investigated types of violence and it does not get addressed in
national action plans as frequently as many other key social issues. Those of
advanced age have a full right to being treated with dignity and respect, and
to live a life free of any abuse, exploitation or neglect. Today seeks to
ensure that as few elderly people as possible are subjected to homelessness,
bad health, hunger, and poverty.
How to Observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
There are a number of ways you can help
fundraise for the cause of this day if you so wish. You can also donate to
charities which support the elderly and their well-being. Perhaps today you
could play your part by volunteering somewhere which ensures the happiness of
the elderly, such as in a retirement home. You could also visit an elderly
relative and spend some time chatting or having a cup of tea. Be sure to spread
the word by posting about the day on your social media accounts.
David shows
us how to overcome fear, whether it be the fear of death, the fear of speaking
in public (which surveys show to be greater than the fear of death!), fear of
losing your children, fear of the future, or whatever. He says:
To overcome fear, seek the Lord!
David knew
what he was talking about! He had evildoers coming at him to devour his flesh
(27:2). They were breathing out violence (27:12). Nothing would have made them
happier than to see David’s head removed from his body. He had an entire army
encamped against him. The soldiers had probably been told, “Whoever comes back
with David’s head gets an instant promotion to general and a fat reward!” And
yet David could say, “My heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in
spite of this I am confident” (27:3)! The man knows his subject! He can teach
us about overcoming fear. David isn’t dispensing a formula that’s easy or
simple to apply. God isn’t a good-luck charm which you can pull out when you’re
in a jam and rub the right way. David is talking about a total way of life that
is focused on God and which clings to God with naked faith in desperately
overwhelming situations where there is no other source of help.
May this Nation
prostrate itself not before men or nature but seek the Lord as David did.
Psalm 27
The LORD is my
light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of
whom should I be afraid? When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, these my
enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me,
my heart does not fear; though war be waged against me, even then do I trust. One thing I ask
of the LORD; this I seek: to dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life,
to gaze on the LORD’s beauty, to visit his temple. For God will hide me in his
shelter in time of trouble, He will conceal me in the cover of his tent; and
set me high upon a rock. Even now my head is held high above my enemies on
every side! I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing
and chant praise to the LORD. Hear my voice,
LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. “Come,” says my heart, “seek
his face” your face, LORD, do I seek! Do not hide your face from me; do not
repel your servant in anger. You are my salvation; do not cast me off; do not
forsake me, God my savior! Even if my father and mother forsake me, the LORD
will take me in. LORD, show me
your way; lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Do not abandon me to
the desire of my foes; malicious and lying witnesses have risen against me. I
believe I shall see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the
LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!
End of
Ramadan/Eid-al-Fitr[4]
What is Eid? Eid al-Fitr is an important Muslim
celebration that marks the breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan. Family and friends gather to eat and pray together
during the festival that lasts up to three days in many Muslim countries. Mubarak Eid, or Blessed Eid, is a common greeting used
during Eid al-Fitr.
Daily Devotions
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
·
Please
Pray for Senator
McCain and our country; asking Our Lady of Beauraing to
intercede.
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