December 29, 2020

What does it mean to be a family?

What does it mean to be a family? We see the example in the Blessed Trinity. For there to be a family, there must be love! The nature of love is to be unselfish and self-giving. A family can never consist of just one person; it necessarily involves others. In the very being of God, there is community of persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The love that binds the Father and the Son is so pure and so self-giving that it is the Holy Spirit.

The blessing of the incarnation of Christ is that God chooses to share himself with his creation, namely, humanity. It boggles our mind and challenges our imagination to know that God became a human being. This, in and of itself, is an enormous expression of love. But Jesus chose not only to become a human being, but part of a human family in the household of Mary and Joseph.  He chose to live his life to save us through his suffering, death and resurrection. This powerful truth of God’s love for us should inspire and encourage all of us to realize  how important we are to God! He desires us to be part of His family and to be united in the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

Family life can be messy. Even the Holy Family, as is illustrated in the Gospel today, there were moments of misunderstanding, confusion and wonder. But the powerful message of this feast day is that God is present, even in our frail human families. In our own moments of confusion, frustration and difficulty, we need to sincerely seek the will of God in our lives as the Holy Family did. God is working in our world and in our families, if only we have the faith to believe and the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His love for humanity has not, nor will not, ever change. It is only in quiet prayer and reflection that we can come to understand what God is doing in our family and in our world. He is still acting, revealing himself, and saving humanity. Like Mary, Joseph and Jesus, may we take the time to pay attention to our God. He calls out to us in our thoughts, our dreaming and the events of our lives. It is only those who are awake and paying attention that come to discover the intimacy and love of God.

Emmanuel, God with us, remains true even today! He is present; let us be present to Him! Make a visit to the Adoration Chapel located in the former convent across from St. Mary Church. It is open Sundays at 1:00 pm until Saturdays at 2:00 pm and then closed for Masses from 2:00 pm Saturday to 1:00 pm on Sunday when adoration begins again. This is a perfect New Year’s resolution! If every family would make the effort to stop in the Chapel at least once a month, what a difference it will make, even if it is just for a few moments.

          I promise you, that if you do this, the Lord will touch you in a special way. Every good parent loves to see their children. The Lord will let you know how much He appreciates this small expression of love. What a powerful example it will be for your children. Please don’t under-estimate the difference this will make in their young lives.

What do you do when you pay our Lord a visit? Simply, believe, say thanks, open your heart to Him. If you don’t know what to do, try https://www.diopitt.org/adoration2020  or https://catholicmom.com/2016/02/08/31-quiet-resources-engage-kids-adoration/ for some suggestions. Most importantly, just make the effort, God will do the rest.

God love you,