WORD ALIVE

Once I solemnized the wedding of a friend. After that we didn't see each other for some time. When I met the couple, I asked: "How's your marriage going?" 
 

The husband said: “Father, I've found that there are three rings in marriage.” "That's new to me,” I replied. “And what are these?"  
 

He said: "First, engagement ring;  second, wedding ring; and third, suffe-ring!" 
 

* * *
Although said in jest, there's a grain of truth there. Indeed, after all the flower bouquets, photo sessions, colorful receptions and honeymoon, marriage is not all a bed of roses. 
 

* * *
The end of December is Holy Family Sunday. Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, had their share of sufferings in rearing their child although they knew deep down that their Son was no ordinary child. 
 

For instance, the baby Jesus was in mortal danger because King Herod regarded Jesus as a threat to his political security (Matthew 2,19-23).
The Holy Family had to flee to Egypt; hence, Jesus, Mary and Joseph became "displaced persons."
 

* * *
By becoming fully human, Christ entered through the family, thus sanctifying it. Likewise, God intended the family so that every child that comes into the world—helpless and fragile—would find warmth, care, love, and security.
 

* * *
Parents are expected to teach not just praying or going to Mass but also avoiding immoral practices like gambling, stealing, and other vices. In short, parents should teach their children to “do good and avoid evil.”

Parents should show good example. For instance, if they expect their children to go to Church, they should lead them. If the parents are given to alcoholism, stealing, and constant quarreling, what can be expected of the children?
 

* * *
The vocation of children is to honor, respect, and obey their parents. The very word FAMILY signifies: "Father And Mother I Love You." So, children should remember that.
Parents are not perfect. Despite this, children should honor, respect and obey them since they are God's representatives. 
 

* * *                  
Parents are accountable to God when they do not teach their children God’s commandments. The book of Proverbs teaches parents, thus: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22,6).
 

* * *                  
On the feast of the Holy Family, let’s pray for all parents and children. May parents remember their parental vocation and Christian obligation and, above all, live them. 
 

* * *
Family lessons. A husband complained that their helper robbed them of a towel when she left. The wife said: “People nowadays have no more moral values. Which towel did she run off?” The husband replied: “The one with the logo ‘Holiday Inn.’”  (Look who’s talking. It’s the husband who ran away with the towel from the hotel).
 

* * *
Many homes nowadays have three shifts. Father is on the night shift; mother is on the day shift, and the children shift for themselves. Lesson: Parents should have time together for bonding.

Happy Holy Family to all