Anne is always looking for people to do the bulletin article and usually I get the second Sunday, but I made the mistake of telling her that I could do Holy Family Sunday if she needed, so here I am. I have always appreciated Holy Family Sunday because God has blest me with a wonderful family and for years I got to spend Holy Family Sunday with them. My Mom and Dad were both very loving parents, always there for us and always teaching us, especially by example, to be responsible loving persons. I had three brothers and three sisters who learned as I did to love one another and all others in our world. Mom and Dad and Judy are gone now, but the 70 of us still here, plus the in-laws, are still a close knit family and for that I thank God and celebrate this day with great gratitude and joy.
However, over the years, I have come to know may families who do not have the gift of a loving family. Today so many families are broken. Members are alone, not speaking to one another, sometimes not even knowing the rest of their own family. Single parents struggle to raise their children alone while trying to support them as well. Our society encourages us to have more material things so parents fell they have to work, often more than one job, to prove these material things that do onto give peace and joy and especially not love. Kids think they need more material things or be involved in more activities but do not even realize the value of being with family. Many families rarely have a sit down meal together. Each is attach to their electronic devices and speak little to one another.
Mary and Joseph went through many truing times during Jesus’ life. His birth is in a stable in a foreign town. They had to flee, as so many foreign families do today, to a foreign country just to be safe and protect Jesus. The when Jesus is about twelve, he disappears for three days. Imagine their fear and frustration. Though we think we live in a much more civilized society today, we do not have to look hard to see many families around us going through many of the same trials. What are we doing about it?
What are we doing in our own families to bring about more peace and love? I would like to suggest to each of you to ask yourself these questions and spend some time reflecting on what you can do to change things for yourself, your family, or some other family. Here are a few suggestions. For your family, schedule a period each day to turn off all electronic devices, including phones and TVs, just to spend time together with your family either eating, playing a fun game or learning what each did today. If you are not talking to a family member, call them and see if you can peacefully settle the problem that caused the disagreement or anger. Life is too short to waste another day not loving one another. If you cannot make the call, at least spent some time in prayer for the other and seeing if you can free yourself of the anger you feel.
For those we know or see around us, can you offer to lend a helping hand to a single parent who is stressed with work and raising a family? For the many refugee families, or other needy people in our community, can we clean out our closets and give them things we really do not need? Imagine yourself walking in their shoes. What would you want to happen for you? Then just do what you can.
However, over the years, I have come to know may families who do not have the gift of a loving family. Today so many families are broken. Members are alone, not speaking to one another, sometimes not even knowing the rest of their own family. Single parents struggle to raise their children alone while trying to support them as well. Our society encourages us to have more material things so parents fell they have to work, often more than one job, to prove these material things that do onto give peace and joy and especially not love. Kids think they need more material things or be involved in more activities but do not even realize the value of being with family. Many families rarely have a sit down meal together. Each is attach to their electronic devices and speak little to one another.
Mary and Joseph went through many truing times during Jesus’ life. His birth is in a stable in a foreign town. They had to flee, as so many foreign families do today, to a foreign country just to be safe and protect Jesus. The when Jesus is about twelve, he disappears for three days. Imagine their fear and frustration. Though we think we live in a much more civilized society today, we do not have to look hard to see many families around us going through many of the same trials. What are we doing about it?
What are we doing in our own families to bring about more peace and love? I would like to suggest to each of you to ask yourself these questions and spend some time reflecting on what you can do to change things for yourself, your family, or some other family. Here are a few suggestions. For your family, schedule a period each day to turn off all electronic devices, including phones and TVs, just to spend time together with your family either eating, playing a fun game or learning what each did today. If you are not talking to a family member, call them and see if you can peacefully settle the problem that caused the disagreement or anger. Life is too short to waste another day not loving one another. If you cannot make the call, at least spent some time in prayer for the other and seeing if you can free yourself of the anger you feel.
For those we know or see around us, can you offer to lend a helping hand to a single parent who is stressed with work and raising a family? For the many refugee families, or other needy people in our community, can we clean out our closets and give them things we really do not need? Imagine yourself walking in their shoes. What would you want to happen for you? Then just do what you can.