SIGN OF A CROSS
(a hymn or any other appropriate song can be sung)
ACTIVITY: Stand in two lines and hold each other’s hands. A volunteer should lie on their joined hands and let themselves be carried until the end of the line. This activity should be done by more than one volunteer.
READ:
We are preparing for the Salesian sports games 2019 (Pgsi) which are to be held in the beginning of May in Slovenia. In times of preparations we want to get ourselves in shape and strive towards regular workouts, so that we can be ready as much as we can be. This gathering, however, will not be just a game, but an opportunity to make new acquaintances, get to know Slovenia and connect. But to make these games not only a race and such, it would be right for us to slow down and take a break.
We all want peace. Every day we are concerned with news of wars and rifts which rage around us. We hear of people who need to fight for their rights, sometimes even their lives. Turmoil leads to violence and disunity. In that kind of state, no society or group can sustain. We all have to do our best to achieve peace. First and foremost, we must admit that we are not alone in this world nor are we the best. We must acknowledge our boundaries. This stance helps us to remain calm and to be acceptable with each other. It helps us to even accepts defeats, maybe even an occasional injustice. Don Bosko once said: “haste does not stand, neither do sudden decisions. We always have to have patience, for patience is firm and persistent preparation for future burdens.”
Let us listen to the teachings of Jesus
Mr 4.35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Pupils were overwhelmed by fear when they realised that they cannot control the situation. They fought with the waves but were defeated. The waves continued to flood and threaten them. When the fear engulfed the pupils, they begged Jesus to help them. Jesus remains calm and is surprised by their unbelief, their terror and panic. They are scared for themselves, of how they will win this battle and who will prevail. Even still their judge sleeps and is not disturbed not by the stormy sea nor by their shouts and screams. Just with a “word” he solves this disturbance and the race is over.
His Holiness, Pope Benedict once said: “A sport that wants to have a full meaning for those who practice it must always be at the service of the person. At stake then is not only respect for the rules, but the vision of man, of the man who plays sports and who, at the same time, needs education, spirituality and transcendent values. In fact, sport is an educational and cultural asset, capable of revealing man to himself and bringing him closer to understanding the profound value of his life.”
The patron of this year’s Salesian sports games, the servant of god Andrej Majcen understood the word of Jesus “peace be with you”. Everywhere he went he brought peace, nothing ever dismayed him, nor did he ever show any anxiousness even he was met with various trials. Of great importance is an occurrence in the time of the short war – when Slovenes fought for independence – in July 1991, when planes flew over the capital Ljubljana and dropped bombs over the city. People were hiding under the ground in bunkers, while Andrej walked around the church of St Mary Our Lady of Mercy in Rakovnik. Despite the many warnings of the danger outside he remained calm and collected and kept faith in St Mary’s protection saying: “I was in Vietnam for 22 years while bombs were dropping: we spread relics of St Mary Our lady of mercy and no harm came to us.” That is how Andrej kept true to saying of Janez Bosko: “Keep faith in St Mary, Lady of Mercy and you shall see what miracles are.”
DEBATE:
Take time and talk about at least some of these questions.
- Why do we even try to achieve peace?
- How do we in a group strive for “fair play”?
- Who (in the group)/What calms us down when we become restless?
- How do we accept defeat/ how do we rejoice in victory?
- In what way do you try to move towards peace in the world?
- How can we build peace and unity even more between ourselves?
- Do we invite God to help us in this purpose? Or do we only do that, when we are “already drowning”?
PRAYER:
God watches over us with his divine providence and concern for us. Do not abandon those who pray to God and seek comfort in him. There is none who are not heard and fulfilled their sincere requests.
(Ps 91,11-13)
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
(a hymn or any other appropriate song can be sung)
SIGN OF A CROSS