families are a blessing
By Steve Martin
Today as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we have an opportunity to think about the meaning of family in our lives. God has given us our families as a blessing. Our family life can be a spiritual conduit. If we cooperate with grace our family can guide us along the path to holiness.
Unfortunately, the gift of family is too often overlooked and forgotten in our world today. The people in our family have been with us for many years if not all of our lives. At times, we take for granted those treasures which God has blessed us with. We become used to having them around and don’t take the time to truly appreciate them.
Perhaps we have grown impatient with particular faults and fall into patterns of holding grudges and withholding forgiveness. Maybe we devote all of our energies to activities outside the home; moving from one appointment to the next, we end up with barely enough time for a quick hello or goodbye. Even when we do spend time with our loved ones we may be so tired and drained that it can be easy to occupy the same space and time without any real interaction at all.
When we fall into this trap, we miss the opportunity for sharing. Love is not expressed. Families drift apart. This is not God’s plan for the family. This trap was laid by the great deceiver.
God’s plan for us and our family is that we support one another. Our family should be a source of strength where we give and receive love. With prayer and commitment, we can love in such a powerful way that the limitless love of the Holy Trinity is imaged in and through this love relationship we call family.
As we move forward into a new Liturgical year, let’s reflect on our family. Are we sharing life together or simply living in the same home? Who do we need to ask for forgiveness? Who do we need to forgive?
Let’s take a second look at priorities and commit to opening the gift that is our family. Let’s draw on the grace of God and open a love that has no boundaries. As we do this God’s plan will blossom in our hearts, and we will become holy. He will make us into the saints we are meant to be. Through our family God will shine light into a darkened world. May the Lord bless all families with the grace to be all He intends them to be. Amen.