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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, December 30th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Keys to Right Relationships within Families: Love, Respect, Humility, Trust, Courage, and Reconciliation

Sunday, December 31, 2006
The Holy Family
Sirach 3:2-7,12-14
Psalm 128:1-5
Colossians 3:12-21
Luke 2:41-52

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

The promises from Sirach might make us uncomfortable. When we pray, we will be heard; we will be gladdened by children; we will live a long life—as long as we honor and revere our parents! But what if our parents live far away? What if our own family life occupies all our time and attention? What if our parents have died? Will God’s blessings be withheld from us?

Of course not! God’s love and mercy are like a waterfall constantly flowing. If we want to receive these blessings, we need to be under that waterfall. We need to move away from unrepented sins or unresolved family issues and place ourselves squarely under that heavenly torrent.

The church teaches that the Christian family is the first school of faith, a kind of mini-church into which God has placed us. It is the first place where we can experience intimate and loving relationships and can practice the art of giving and receiving love. So it’s only natural that family relationships are central to a right relationship with God!

It is not so much that we earn God’s blessings by treating our parents well. Rather, as we learn a loving, respectful, self-sacrificing attitude toward others—especially our parents—we are that much more open to being in a right relationship with God. Whether we are children relating to parents, parents to children, or brothers and sisters, our family relationships reveal a lot about our disposition toward God. And likewise, our love for God teaches us to love others, particularly those closest to us, who may be the most difficult to love.

Reconciliation is key here. It takes humility, trust, and courage to make this step, but God is with us, and he will guide us. So as you take time to reflect at the end of the year, consider the words that St. Paul spoke to families so long ago—and to us today: “Clothe yourselves with . . . patience. Bear with one another and . . . forgive each other” (Colossians 3:12-13).

“Heavenly Father, I want to receive the full force of your grace and blessings! Help me to be an agent of reconciliation in my family. I don’t want them or me to stand outside the flow of your love! I consecrate each member of my family to you Lord Jesus.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.     On the Sunday after Christmas we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, from which we draw both inspiration and sanctification for our family life. The first reading addresses the “honor” and “respect” due our parents. If your parents are still alive, what practical steps can you take to demonstrate more honor and respect for them? Consider also asking them to forgive you for any times that you fell short of giving them honor and respect. If your parents are not alive, you may still want to repent to God for those times. And, of course, to pray for them.

2.     Are there any issues in your life toward your parents that you need prayer for? If so, have the men in your group pray for you.

3.     In the Responsorial Psalm, men are told to “fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” What do the words, “fear the Lord” mean to you? What are the blessings of fearing the Lord?

4.     St. Paul, in the second reading, tells us that the authentic atmosphere of a profoundly Christian life is made up of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and above all, love. How can you foster these characteristics in a greater way in your family life? In your relationships with other family members? How can you break down any walls of division and separation and bring more unity to your families?

5.     In the Gospel we see Jesus who, although filled with the urgency of his Father’s business, nevertheless, lived in whole-hearted obedience to Mary and Joseph. How easy it is for the “urgencies” of our lives to keep us from being more obedient to God’s plan. What are some steps you can take during your busy days to be more in tune with the Lord’s will and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you?

6.     What do you think these words from the meditation mean? “The church teaches that the Christian family is the first school of faith, a kind of mini-church into which God has placed us.” How can you make these words a greater reality in you family?

7.     Together with the men in your group, consecrate your families to the Lord and say the final prayer together as brothers in Christ.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen