Daily Reflections ...

Today is the feast of the Holy Family. While Jesus and Mary were without sin, yet all three of them were human and lived fully human lives, experiencing the same things that we experience in a family.

Family life reveals our true colours as we have to deal with defensiveness, grudges, envy, pain, and the rest of the complicated frustrations that arise in family life. So too, we experience being nurtured, loved and supported. The family is where so much of our psychological, physical and spiritual development comes from in the interactions we have among each other. For some of us that has been an incredibly positive thing while for others, that has been a tragically negative experience.

Amidst the topsy turvy nature of family relationships, we grow in our capacity to love and be loved. The more we seek to be whole, a life-long task, the more we reflect the life of the Holy Family.

Contemplate for a moment what it would take to make your family experience more wholesome, healthy and holy. Better communication? More honesty? Forgiveness? Understanding? Generosity?

Whatever it may be, take a moment and pray for it. God certainly desires to be at the centre of our families, radiating love, joy and kindness.

by David Kruse