The Vocation of Family

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 1:30 pm Post subject: The Vocation of Family

The Vocation of Family

Scripture:

Now when these things were done, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: Fear not, Abram, I am your protector, and your reward exceedingly great. And Abram said: Lord God, what will you give me? I shall go without children: and the son of the steward of my house is this Damascus Eliezer. And Abram added: But to me you have not given seed: and lo my servant born in my house, shall be my heir. And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying: He shall not be your heir: but he that shall come out of your depths, him shall you have for your heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars if you can. And he said to him: So shall your seed be. Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.

And the Lord visited Sara, as he had promised: and fulfilled what he had spoken. And she conceived and bore a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold her. And Abraham called the name of his son, whom Sara bore him, Isaac. (Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3)

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the depths of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another. Even as the Lord has forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behooves in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:12-21)

And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:

And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in him. (Luke 2:22, 39-40)

Reflection:

A man and woman may have the wealth of the world before them, but all the bobbles of dust which may be held in the hand is meaningless, for all such things shall become dust once again. What gives us meaning are the matters of the heart; the matters of love. It is for this reason God gave unto men and women the gift of the generations, for it is through children that what is gained from one span of time is passed to another.

We may work for the wealth of the world, but He created us so that we might share the wealth of the heart, the wealth of love. And so, from the first, God created man and woman so that they might share in love with one another and that through their love, they might bring forth generations through which His commandments to love might flow. This is the promise before us, yet, it is also the promise which is often squandered by so many for they do not comprehend the wealth found within the loving heart.

He created man and woman so that through their respective gifts, the generations might be raised. Through what He has joined together in the sacrament of marriage, He seeks to build the strength of heart and spirit, so that through the love of man and woman, children might be protected, raised and encouraged to assume their place from which the future will come. He has given the Word through which to guide every soul. Through His commandments, He has called husbands to love their wives and wives to love their husbands; and should the love of husband and wife be blessed with offspring, He has also called parents to love their children and children to love their parents.

Because the many blessings of the family are rooted in love, it should be no surprise that the evil one seeks to tear at the bonds of the household. Through selfish desires and temptations, hearts are torn and sorrow flows. The blinded heart does not see the darkness which creeps in until great damage is done.

Husbands and wives, guard your marriage well, for the evil one lurks around every corner to steel away the special sacrament God has bestowed upon you. The demons of darkness do not announce themselves, but slip into the heart until one day the fire of love is smothered and hearts turn cold. Just as love may be stolen in little bites, so too may the fires of love be stoked in small and simple ways. What is neglected shall be lost, but what is nurtured shall grow in ever astounding ways. A little given each day will build a bond which cannot be destroyed by even the most determined efforts of Satan.

Parents, teach your children well; with challenge, patience and love, for you are the foundation upon which they will arise to their calling and from which they will build the generations to come. From you they will either receive the light or be left defenseless before the dark. The most important protection you can provide for their souls is a thirst and understanding of His Word. If you find yourself in doubt in what to do, pray to the Holy Spirit and He will guide you.

Children, learn from your parents. They were once you and you will become them in the scheme of the generations. Learn the lessons from the past so that what is good may be passed forward and the mistakes once made may be placed forever to rest. Learn well the blessings of His Word, for the day will come where a generation shall be placed in your hands. He will see what you do and what you fail to do and He will hold you to account for the souls which are to come.

Blessed is the family which seeks Him in prayer, for He will guide them in the ways of love. Their hearts shall be opened to His light and they will rejoice at the blessings which are shared. They will be guided to care for one another and His light shall shine through them into the community which surrounds them. They will not be blinded by the empty promises of the heartless. They will protect one another against the lures of the darkness. They will learn the blessings of charity and they will grow with strength of heart.

Not all are called to be parents, but all are called to help prepare the generations to come. All are called to share in His Word and the blessings of the commandments to love. He gives gifts to some so that they may support the communities which supports the foundations for families. He gives gifts to others so the world may see and learn the blessings of charity and kindness. What is built in love and shared in love prepares the way to His kingdom.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier