A  FAMILY THAT SACRIFICES IN THE

 LIGHT OF GOSPEL

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the people. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.  (Psalms 33:10-11)

PART III

Click here for Part I

Click here for Part II

A family attains discipline and punctuality when the Spirit of God fills in our home.  In order to obtain a happy family, each member of the family must accept that they have their own portion of responsibility and duties. 

Nowadays, the virtue and purity of marital life is perishing, its results are reflected even in its fruits. Look! How quickly the links of marital life get separated and broken.  Even minute misunderstandings destroy countless families.  Let us explore into this matter.

After giving birth to children, it is the marital relationship that is the center point and God reveals the new face of His plan to the husband and wife.

Are there any parents who do not complain about their children? Right from the moment a baby is formed in the womb, the thoughts and emotions of the parents are mixed in the blood of the baby.  All these habits and personalities keep growing in their little minds as they grow up.  For no reason at all, the children  become slave of anger, fear, anxiety, sadness and hot temper. 

Children show great love and trust towards their parents and their closeness towards them incomparable.  It is quite natural for a child to jump into its mother’s arms wherever he sees his mother.

Children who are conceived unexpectedly may not receive enough love from their parents. Though they may not express it but deep within it is a cause of their restlessness and  the new born baby can experience and understand it. Such children expect a lot of safety and protection from their parents often and  become prone to untoward incidents.  Thoughts such as ‘My parents don’t need me’ often arises within them. As the children grow the good and evil thoughts in their mind keep growing. 

It is an important duty of parents to lay a good foundation in their children’s lives and the best ideas are found and explained in the Holy Scriptures.

In trust and unity and in the holy knowledge of God’s son and according to measure of Christ’s perfection, all should reach and become a mature person.

If parents are unable to help or don’t take interest in their children to  develop a true and steadfast love , they will not be safeguarded against iniquities and mistakes.  If parents are to be pleased in their children’s future, then they will definitely teach them the rules and regulations.

You, who are believers in Christ Jesus, when  pressed down with problems or put down by failures, would be best and appropriate to seek solutions for your problems in the Word of God.  All these things have to be taught to the children their childhood itself.  As time goes by in moments of doubts and confusion, these little verses will become the light for their feet.

Psychiatrists advise, “Do not punish children.”  But the Holy Bible says, “One who does not use the stick to discipline his child, does not love him.”  Discipline is essential to develop obedience and good habits. 

Those who love their children will not hesitate to correct them.  The Word of God says, “You will reap what you sow.” When you keep satisfying the liking and needs of your children, you reap a big harvest of bad habits and indiscipline.

Children are obliged to happily obey their parents and it is one of the commandments, so that they obtain goodness and attain long life on this earth.

When you renew the relationship between parents and children in the right manner, the home becomes heaven.  The Lord grants children with a peaceful future and at that moment exceedingly beautiful heavenly paradise comes into existence.  Children should realize that there are limitations in everyone’s life.  When the children realize that if they reject the just limitations in any manner they receive punishment, then thereafter they will themselves find the limitations.

Parents realize that it is quite natural for a child to play and enjoy his life but it is equally important that the child should be handed over small responsibilities. It is essential to have a control in watching T.V., etc. and it should not become an instrument of babysitting. 

Dear ones, you desire to give good nutritious food to your children.  Similarly, it is necessary to give good food for the growth of mind.  Jesus said, “Your food doesn’t go into your heart.  But what goes into our mind touches our heart.”  The time a child spends before the T.V. affects his life to a great extent. 

‘Time is life, do not misuse it.”  In this manner when parents take charge and become exemplary, they can remove numerous discomforts from the family.  However mischievous your child may be, if we handle them in a right manner, they will become the light of the family and the community. 

If you nurture the child on the basis of Word of God, in the future they will establish a good home, making their parents happy. 

In the Holy family there were struggles, poverty and problems, but the birth of Lord Jesus transformed that family.  By respecting, obeying His parents and always helping them, Jesus produced comfort and joys in that little family. 

Thus if you discipline your children according to the Word of God from childhood, you can build many families like the Holy Family.  Your house will be transformed into a home of hard work, discipline, the spirit of prayer and comfort.

‘But my children are grown up… what should I do?’  Don’t Worry!

You still can show interest to send them to the spiritual classes that are prepared by the Holy Spirit and for spiritual retreats.  Bring home good pocket books based on the Bible and good CD's of spiritual songs. 

Dear parents, if you pay attention to this, the Lord will become your refuge and your children will themselves be inspired. 

Like shining lights as per your dreams they will become gift of God by spreading good deeds in home and society.  The crab who walks only in one direction can’t teach his children to walk in the right way.  Children very quickly learn to imitate their parents.  You might have heard this old saying. ‘I want to become like my mother or my father’. 

So become parents who give good examples to their children.  If parents develop their children in the right way, then God will surely bless the parents. 

May Lord Jesus who spread the light in the Holy Family bless you!

A  FAMILY THAT SACRIFICES IN THE

 LIGHT OF GOSPEL

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the people. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.  (Psalms 33:10-11)

PART II

For the earlier part click here

Dear sisters, there are some obligatory duties that God considers essential for a wife. If you obey the Will of God wholeheartedly, without seeking your own desires or pursuing your path of liking, then you are sure to obtain happiness.

Let us turn our attention towards the Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible. 

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone, I will make a suitable companion to HELP him." (Gen 2:18) “The man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him." (Gen. 2:20)

Filled with compassion for man’s loneliness, God put him into a deep sleep. While he was asleep, He took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him (Gen. 2: 21-22)

He was amazed to see the new creature. He named his companion as 'woman'.

From the above-said verse we come to know that the woman was made for man as a suitable helper for him. Many have mistaken the above-said scripture portion and think that every individual woman is to be totally submissive to man. ‘To do the work of a maid-servant for man’ this is the thought impregnated in the minds of many people.

But the Lord God through His creation gives equal honor and respect to both.

So that woman may rule over her husband the Lord God did not take the bone from the man's head. Similarly, to be crushed and stamped over by the husband, the Lord God did not create the wife from the bone of his feet. To grant equality, the Loving Father gave form to man’s companion by taking the bone from the middle of his body. Through this God reveals the great mystery in the impartial God's creation and equal weight and value, honour and respect to both.

‘The husband is the focal point. My desires are like the soap bubbles in water. I am only his helper. What is there for me?' 

Such thoughts impregnated in numerous minds have to be uprooted as there is a great value for the position of a 'helper'. 'Helper' does not put one down or devaluate it.

In the Kingdom of God, a helper has an honored and highly valuable position. Perhaps the society may give importance to those in authority and highly placed and is a normal practice to degrade those in the position of a helper. This race of competition and taking advantage of one's freewill is not acceptable in the Will of God. If the works (ideas) of a helper serves to control the community, then similar to his works a helper is also of importance.

"One who loves his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for other will gain it." (Jn.12: 25)

Unless we meaningfully fulfil His Word of God a married life based on the Holy Scriptures is not possible. We must abandon totally the crooked ways of fulfilling our selfish desires.

A capable wife gets up early in the morning, surrenders herself and her husband at the feet of the Lord. By seeking the Will of God and being filled with God's power she begins her work. The Holy Bible states how a capable wife ought to be. Through her, the plans specified by God for that family will be successfully fulfilled.

"How hard it is to find a capable wife!  She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.  As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm... She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant-girls what to do..... She is generous to the poor and needy.... Her husband is well-known, one of the leading citizens.... She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.  She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs.  Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her."  (Prov. 31: 10-31)

This does not imply that all Christian women are like this. However, through proper prayer and continuous hard work, it is possible to obtain the above-mentioned virtues through which she will be able to handle all the work wisely, and obtain and grow in wisdom and strength.

A wife can take the lead to bring about prosperity and success in the family. However she has to put her firm faith and submit to God and in His victorious care.

“Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ." (Eph.5:21)

By complaining that the encouragement and co-­operation that was expected is not obtained, and hence by neglecting the duties given by God you become wrongdoers in God's sight. Wives who poke their nose in aimless things, and neglect their family and divert from the goal of life are not few in number.

 A capable wife should be away from unwanted boastful talks and gossips. If husband and wife are both working, and because of that if the wife is not able to do her family duty, both should pray and decide together and by doing the house work during the night time they can establish a peaceful atmosphere.

Today's generation is caught up in economic crisis and restlessness due to the tension of education.

Above all to be filled with the heavenly peace and contentment, both husband and wife should be the loving children of God who cares.

There is no measure to the shame and insult that the old wife of Abraham, Sarah had to face. Yet the Holy Bible says “He trusted that the One who promised him is faithful and that gave Sarah the power to conceive" (Heb.11: 11)

Those who are supposed to adorn faith have become the ones who by fear have become weary, over burdened, and thus devoid of hunger and sleep.

The Bible says that a capable wife laughs at the future; riches that the naked eyes can see, the huge salary of the husband, nor the sight of seeing her sons becoming successful- -it is not this smile that she puts on. Rather it is the trust in the promises of the Heavenly Father who protects us in the palm of His hand everyday from dawn till dusk without any casualties. She is able to accept with contentment whatever the Lord gives by His knowledge, and thus sleep peacefully at night.

Dear ones, by reading punctually the Holy Bible, believe strongly in your heart that the promises of God shall be fulfilled. Children of God should have love in them not only towards family, children and husband; instead she should be aware of the needs of God's people and be helpful to them.

Doing good in every deeds is the ornament of all women who believe in Jesus Christ. This is reflected in the food that she prepares, the home in which they live and the children that she raises. Her relation with God will be reflected in her own life and habits. Even among problems, in the shortcomings of the family, sicknesses and weaknesses, with faith she is able to do her duties punctually. With thirst in the depth of her heart she should pray at all times in her mind to be filled with gentle and calm spirit of God.

"You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you do your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight." (1 Pet 3: 4-5)

Those who have this quiet spirit in them have great satisfaction and tranquility in their lives. A capable wife has praiseworthy talents. Her submissiveness is not because of fear or idleness. She always lives with this faith that being a part of Jesus' body, the responsibility given by God and there is authority in her.

The Lord desires such people who pray and wait patiently for the Lord's ways to be fulfilled in His time and according to His plans. Similarly, the wife should carefully keep her purity. By keeping her mind with God and placing her hope in Him she continues to pray and ask Him for His help day and night.

Dear sisters, being a woman God has given you freely the necessary strength and gifts to each one. By using these in proper way, when each one plays her role, according to His constant love, God shall lift you and strengthen you. To obtain maturity through the Word of God and God's spirit, He gives advises, instructions & corrections.

A capable wife does not rely too much on her capability and strives hard for personal spiritual growth as well as family prayer with husband and children, by carrying her cross she walks on the path of God. Those who seek refuge in the ways of the Highest God, He shall safeguard them from enemies and hidden danger. The faithfulness of the Lord shall be their armour and shield.

Dear ones, Jesus Christ is the source of all relationship in the world. Even in marital life Jesus Christ is the focal point. If husband and wife desire a peaceful married life by accepting Jesus who is the peace, as the Lord and Master they must allow to be led by Jesus. They must pray for His divine caring. Otherwise Jesus who joined you, the unity that He desires or to establish any other prosperity or happiness would be impossible.

If you make Jesus as Your Guide He shall protect you from every disaster. Then through our life's circumstances dearly He will show us the things to be rejected and abandoned in our life. He shall lead both of you with one opinion and raise you up as two capable students of a single Teacher.

If you make selfish habits and other wrong ways as your teacher, you will fall into disaster and ruin yourselves. You must open your hearts and allow the God's spirit to work in you.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back His own Son, but offered Him for us all! He gave us his Son will he not freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8: 31-32)

God is our refuge and strength. He is a suitable helper at times of trouble. Like a bird He shall protect and defend us under His wings. He shall safeguard the lives of those who seek refuge in Him. He shall establish a prosperous future life. The family which was like a desert shall flourish and be gladdened. Those who live in fear shall obtain courage. Weak body and mind shall be made strong.

For those who trust in Lord Jesus, by amending the errors in your life come into the presence of the Lord. Like the flowers that bloom in the wilderness, to play and sing, God is giving you an opportunity. Praise the Lord!

PRAYER

“O! Lord, do not allow my family to be away from your sight.  Jesus, my Lord come among us as our Master to lead us.  Amen.” 

Recite this prayer every morning and evening and be blessed.  

A  FAMILY THAT SACRIFICES IN THE

 LIGHT OF GOSPEL

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the people. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.  (Psalms 33:10-11)

PART I

Once upon a time, FAMILY was considered to be the origin of hard work, education, service and prayer. However, today it has literally become a shed just for eating, drinking and quarreling. To liberate us from these pitiable conditions, to those who believe in His Son Jesus, through the Holy Bible, Our Loving Father has put before us numerous solutions

In this article, I shall describe some of the duties of a Christian husband towards his family.

The Holy Bible refers the husband as the master of the family. 

Not few are the number of husbands who reign over their wife and children using their authority as the Master of the Family.

Dear brothers, let us try to understand the truth. “Wives just as to the Lord submit to your husbands.”

This verse from the Holy Scripture does not mean or hand you the rights to treat your wife harshly.  Instead read further that says, “Just as Christ loved the Church you too must love your wives.”  (Eph 5:25)

St. Paul emphasizes on the focal point of your position --- master of the family- is to love--- that too—supreme love. For husbands, St. Paul describes various aspects of Jesus Love for the Church. Lord Jesus came into this world not to fulfill his desires but to sacrifice Himself for those whom He loved. In order to purify the Church, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice.

A Christian husband must be ready to sacrifice his dreams and desires to safeguard his wife. Just as Lord Jesus offered Himself for the sake of His ‘Love’, a husband too must be willing to surrender himself for the sake of ‘pure love.’  The love filled exemplary life of a husband must be like that of  Lord Jesus i.e. he must surrender his wife for the glory of God and protect her by making her happy and courageous.

This may appear uninteresting in this modern carefree life. But in a Christian marital life more preference is given to unity than to a carefree life.   In their personal life, the husbands must find ways to lead a life of submission.  By surrendering himself to Lord Jesus, he can begin the first lesson of ‘submissiveness’.  Grow and nurture in your personal prayer and Bible reading.  Arise early in the morning to recite your prayers and if possible go for a Holy Mass along with your family members. If you are a person going for a job, before stepping in the office ask for the help of Mother Mary and St. Joseph.  Similarly, if you enter your office after praying one minute for your higher authorities and co-workers and all those whom you are going to meet, then you will be able to behave with everyone in patience and do your duties punctually.

If you are a husband doing the Lord’s service, then before going to the Holy Mass, gather your family members before the family altar and through the intercession of Mother Mary and St. Joseph recite reverently the Act of Consecration of Family and Prayer of Precious Blood of Jesus.  

By showing your willingness to do God’s Will you have to pray in the Lord’s presence to receive wisdom and knowledge.  Without losing patience, by fulfilling the duties towards the family, the concern and love towards the wife and children must be clearly expressed.

“…the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant.  Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves him? The one who sits down, of course.  But I am among you as One who serves.”   (Luke 22:26-27) 

This scripture verse speaks out that every Christian husband who is greatest is called to serve.

There are many husbands who think that taking care of the family comprises of providing them with money and my duty is over!. “Don’t expect anything more than this from me,” Some think that just by fulfilling the needs of the wife is sufficient to show the love for her.is a very common statement that arises from our stubbornness. The complaints that comprise about a nagging wife are also not less. A change is very essential in our attitude and mentality.

Let us turn our thoughts and take appropriate charge of her complains as our lack of sincerity. When a wife faces problems in her duties, the husband ought to help her eagerly. When a husband who has to do the major responsibility in a family falters, the wife ends up taking the burden.  

My dear brothers, when you show concern and interest towards your family in these small things God will transform your family atmosphere into a heavenly one.  The most appropriate service a husband can do with eagerness is to share in the daily chores of his wife. If a wife is to accept her husband’s status as ‘the master of the family’ he must show eagerness in the daily responsibilities of the family.  Lord Jesus exhorts that by taking up God’s service the husbands must be capable of giving spiritual directions.

So is the case of the children’s upbringing. The husband has the special duty of introducing Christian living to his children by way of fun and play.  Be sure to take some time out to come forward and help your children in their studies rather than pushing the responsibility over to your wife.

Let love rule us in everything.  God who is seated in the highest heaven cares for us.  He does everything for our good. 

The example of Joshua who totally surrendered his family in front of the whole of Israel is truly heart touching (Joshua 24:15). 

However lack of interest, a husband may show in rendering spiritual guidance, every husband has the obligation to encourage, help and direct his wife in spiritual matters.  The Lord knows about our imperfections.  However, if men come out of these bondages and begin to perform his family duties, God will provide them with the necessary blessings.

If your relationship with Jesus diminishes then a husband won’t be able to help his wife in her spiritual growth.  You must daily find some time to pray and read the Holy Bible as this helps in giving shape to a man’s emotions and thoughts.  When a husband disciplines his life it helps the spiritual upliftment of his wife and children.  Above all this it is the husband’s duty to faithfully accept the messages that the Lord gives regarding his family.

Successful Christian marriage life doesn't mean a life without any ups and downs.  Marriage and family life reaches its completion only at the wedding feast of the Lamb. 

Dear husbands, just as Lord Jesus loved His church and surrendered Himself to purify her, if you will not love your wife it will be a cruel act on your part.  The husband must be eager to show love and compassion towards his wife,  considering her to be a daughter of God you must show her respect.

“The same way you husbands must live with your wives with proper understanding that they are the weaker sex.  Treat them with respect because they also will receive together with you God’s gift of life.  Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.”  (1 Peter 3 :7)

If we consider all the above things the duties of a Christian husband is beyond the grasp of an ordinary man.   You may also think that if it is so, how then we can live?

Dear ones, it is by taking up responsibilities according to your capabilities many people are among us who have learnt and grown up through failures and are living in high status.  A good husband does not rely too much on his own talents.  He obtains strength through his personal spiritual relationship with God when confronted with burdens it stands forth as a tower of refuge. 

So dear brothers, let us begin to live accepting the fact that God has given you the grace to become a good husband and believe in Him to turn everything  out to be beautiful!

It is in love of a selfless husband that ‘master of the family’ remains secure.  It is a very serious responsibility.  Just as Lord Jesus was given the authority to lift up the disciples by guiding, teaching and safeguarding them, similarly, according to God’s will a husband has been given the authority to guide the life of his wife in discipline.  The husband’s authority is the responsibility towards his wife.

The Lord wants to mould all the families on this earth like the Holy Family. 

May the help of St. Joseph surely help all the readers of ‘Living Word’.

Morning Prayer

Lord Jesus this dawn with gratitude I surrender myself, my life partner, my children, my relatives and well-wishers who are far and near.  I surrender each of my organs to be under your control.  O God! Purify me, bless me and grant me the knowledge and capability to perform my duties towards You and my family.  Purify all the talents that You have given me by Your Precious Blood.  O Jesus! Pour out your grace in all my weakness.  Amen.

(Recite this prayer two times each day and praise the Lord for 10 minutes)

PSALMS  148

A CALL FOR THE UNIVERSE TO PRAISE GOD

 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from heaven,

you that live in the heights above.

Praise Him, all His angels,

all His heavenly armies.

Praise Him, sun and moon;

Praise Him, shining stars,

Praise Him, highest heavens and the waters above the sky,

Let them all praise the name of the Lord!

He commanded, and they were created;

By His command, they were fixed in their places forever,

And they cannot disobey.

Praise the Lord from the earth,

Sea–monsters and all ocean depths;

Lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

Strong winds that obey His command.

Praise Him, hills and mountains,

Fruit -trees and forests;

All animals, tame and wild, reptiles and birds.

Praise Him, kings and all peoples,

princes and all other rulers;

Girls and young men, Old people and children too.

Let them all praise the name of the Lord!

His Name is greater than all others;

His glory is above earth and heaven;

He made His nations strong,

So that all His people praise Him-The people of Israel,

so dear to Him.

                                                        Praise the Lord!