FAMILY PERSPECTIVES March 1, 2015 Second Sunday of Lent March 8, 2015 Third Sunday of Lent When Jesus was transfigured, the apostles saw Him as they had never seen Him before and they were frightened. When we experience change in a person we love, we frequently resist it because it often means we must change our way of relating to that person. Take a closer look at Jesus and your relationships. What changes do you need to make this Lent that will reflect the glory of God? Ask for grace to change. When Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple, he was not angry, he was PASSIONATE! Jesus clearly believed in what He was doing! The gospel tells us that because of this, “many believed in His Name because they saw the signs that He was showing them.” If we expect our children to learn our values and beliefs, then they must witness our passion for these values. Just like the people in today’s gospel, our children need to see the signs of what we‘re doing if they are to believe. Children need us to be passionate leaders. March 15, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Lent Today’s gospel speaks of light and darkness. There are times when darkness can seem comforting when it makes no demands on us. Light disturbs when it forces us to squint, refocus and take action regarding what we see. In light we see others clearly as they are. In families, the challenge is always to live in the light--not in avoidance or denial. March 22, 2015 Fifth Sunday of Lent March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord How can you live by dying? Letting go of control is one key to a loving relationship. This requires trust: trust in oneself and trust in others. If we don’t let go of our need to control we don’t experience the joy found in trusting ourselves to another and being completely accepted by that other. In the end we will lose what we are trying to control and hold onto – we can only have by letting go! The Passion of Jesus makes it clear that no one escapes suffering. While it is an inevitable part of life, no one should have to suffer alone. That is one of the primary roles of families: to stand with and support each other in suffering. Who in your family needs your support? You can make this week a hope-filled Holy Week by reaching out to those in need. GENERAL INTERCESSIONS March 1, 2015 For those in our parish whose lives have been changed by death or divorce, that they might find supportive people of faith who help them hope, love and forgive, we pray to the Lord. March 8, 2015 For those families in our parish, who feel overwhelmed with the care of an older member, that they might find the strength to continue to be loving and patient caregivers, we pray to the Lord. March 15, 2015 For those imprisoned and for their families, that they might find solace, understanding and support in the Christian community, we pray to the Lord. March 22, 2015 For families divided by conflict, that they might find peaceful ways to resolve differences so that the needs of all might be addressed, we pray to the Lord. March 29, 2015 May the Passion of Jesus give meaning to those who suffer the pain of illness or who feel abandoned and alone. May our parish community offer support for the families that care for them, we pray to the Lord.