With demanding work schedules, busy social lives and a strong desire for pleasure, holidays and personal freedom, there is little incentive to have children, as raising a family is seen as costly – both financially and in terms of time and commitment.
Therefore, many families have become dysfunctional. Divorce rates are rising, and children suffer from instability. Such fragile family environments become breeding grounds for confusion about identity and relationships. When families fall apart, the bedrock of society collapses.
In the second reading, St Paul gives us general guidelines on how we should relate to one another. He reminds us that our relationships must be grounded in the truth that we are “God’s chosen race, his saints.” While it often said that blood is thicker than water, Christian truth teaches us that our spiritual relationship with God is even deeper than blood ties. The call to love one another is rooted in God’s first love, compassion and mercy for us. St Paul reminds us: “He loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another, forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.”
The Holy Family didn’t have it easy. As homeless refugees, the Holy Family shared the fate of the many uprooted and dispossessed families in our world today. But because of their deep faith in God, and love for one another, they stayed together and came through it. Today many challenges confront family life, we must not allow fear to prevent us from committing to marriage or welcoming children. We must not allow darkness to triumph. Instead, let us light the candle of love. By witnessing to the joy of authentic, loving marriages and families, we can promote and strengthen family life.
Fr. Alex Osei
SSC-USA Spiritual Director