One Big Family

And his mother and his bretheren came; and standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him; and they say to him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And answering them, he said: Who is my mother and my brethren? And looking round about on them who sat about him, he saith: Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of God, he is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Mark 3:31-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are not to exclude those around us as our mother, brother or sister as our own families. We should be letting those around us into our lives as if they've been there all along. The stranger that we come across, perhaps while shopping or paying a visit at Church. Each person who lives to you Jesus is family. Why should I think any different and exclude my neighbor in that same thought that you see each individual as your mother, brother or sister. For that matter I am grateful that you include me as part of that family. I know I have my own, but your love has extended mine to the many I come across and touch and who touch me and make me their family as well. Being in a family this way knows no bounds, because it is limitless and never ending. There is someone always being born as well as dying and I accept them all as my huge family. I may not be related by blood but in spirit we all belong as one.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Dear Father you are a divine inspiration to Joseph to speak to him through dreams. Joseph showed that he was a faithful servant and trusted in your will. You chose him to safeguard your Son and His mother Mary. Out of this we have glimpsed what a true family is like. Where the head of the family protects those in their care under divine guidance. It all comes together beautifully doesn't it dear Father when we do your will. How often in our own lives we have disregarded an angels prompting or the Holy Spirits in the direction of our own lives and the lives of our family. You are the strength that holds a family together in times of trouble, in times of loss and in times of sorrow. The children in families look to the father figure for guidance and love, for comfort and for hugs. You show us love dear Father in how you cared for the well being of your Son even though He died for us, you gave us much much more in the way of a fatherly love. It is up to the fathers today to show their sons your love for them to nurture that love in their own lives. I pray that as we end this year and with the new one on the horizon that families will come to respect each other and show their love to each other but most of all that they come to you for all their needs. May they hug each other each day and bring healing to the wounded families in the world. Amen

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Advent Prayer

God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

Reflection:
Plain and simple this psalm speaks. Blessed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.

What a remarkable feat to do this. When we are in the company of others and in the back of our minds the law of the Lord is always there. So when we hear things that go against God's law we know better.

How often have we sat among others and heard things that we know are wrong and thought to ourselves that is not what God desires from us. That is not his way. And yet in those moments we do nothing and say nothing to correct it. We don't often say, gee you know something, but your behavior or the way you dress is not in with God's plan for you.

Or what we do to constantly break his laws to bring the wrath of God upon us, yet God is a God of love and patience. When we see how we are with our families and how we push our own parents to the limit then we understand how at times we too have pushed God beyond his limit, because he has far more children to look after than any family on earth. And we are all his baptized children, who often run amok in our own desires and not the desires of God.

Take a moment today and reflect on our own behavior, do we follow and keep his law or do we follow the way of the wicked. It's your choice! But choose wisely