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)