Praying for married couples

RAISING A LOVING FAMILY

Ecclesiasticus 3:33-7, 14-17; Col. 3:12-21 & Mt. 2:13-15,19-23

Today the Church draws our attention to the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.  The first reading focuses on the love and the respect that parents should have for their children and the children for their parents.  It mentions the rewards that will come to children who honour their parents, “Long life will come to him who honours his father…kindness to a father shall not be forgotten but will serve as a reparation for your sins.”

In the second reading we are encouraged to practice the virtues that will bond a family together sincere compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; to bear with one another and forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins, but above all to love each other.

In the Holy Family there were two people, Mary and Jesus, who were sinless.  They practised all those virtues we have mentioned.  Because they were sinless that doesn’t mean to say that they were not tempted to sin.  Temptation to be selfish and uncooperative in relationships would have surfaced for they were human but because they were good, generous and sinless they would not allow themselves to be selfish and uncooperative.  How fortunate Joseph was to live with the two best people who ever lived.  I am sure that the concerns of each person in the Holy Family were to promote the happiness and welfare of the other members of the family.

I am certain that there were many smiles, hugs and kisses between each member of the family.   They would pray together.  There were many times when they would sit in each other’s company in silence and were just happy to be with each other.  I am sure they would tell each other how much they loved each other.  They were not afraid to show their emotions.  It is here that families could learn so much from this Holy Family.  

Do the members of our family smile, hug and kiss each other?  I think it is sad when we are afraid to show our emotions.  It should all start in childhood.  It is the most natural thing for mothers and fathers to play with their babies when they prepare them for their bedtime, to kiss, hug and cuddle them.  Obviously the older the children get this child play is toned down, but I still think the kisses and hugs should not stop.  I think it is wonderful when a teenager comes from school and meets Mum and Dad at home and the first thing he or she does is to give both Mum and Dad a kiss and a hug and tell them the kind of day they have had at school.  Or before they retire to bed to give both parents another kiss and hug and say, “Good night, Dad, good night, Mum.”  I think it is the most natural thing to do.  There is nothing cissy about that.

If parents and children can relate like that to each other imagine the consequences.  There will be a loving reaction.  The result is each one is concerned about the other.  If one is happy the others are happy.  If one is sad or hurting the others will want to know what is up and how they can help.  Anyone who comes among them will witness the love and bonding there is between them.  Selfishness, envy, jealousy will not show their ugly heads in this family.

It will be easier for such a family to pray together.  Isn’t this lacking in many families today?  It is in their prayer times that mothers and fathers can teach their children their faith and how they should behave at all times.  One of the sad and tragic things of our society today is that there are more young people living together than are married.  It is at these prayer times that parents can point out moral matters like this to their children that this kind of behaviour is not right, is unacceptable and forbidden by God.  Parents and grandparents today say they are helpless to advise their children to act morally in this matter because everyone is behaving like this.  If they had made the effort to have had family prayers they could have taught their children how to behave correctly.

If there are any young families listening to me perhaps they could put into effect some of the things I am pointing out.  It is even not too late for older families to try and model their homes on that of the Holy Family.  If they do, the result will be to bring untold happiness and holiness into their homes.

Lord Jesus, on this feast of the Holy Family, we pray for all married couples.  Give them the wisdom, understanding, tolerance and all the patience they need to raise their children to be worthy members of Your heavenly kingdom.

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