"I think the world today is upside down. Everybody seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater development and greater riches and so on. There is much suffering because there is so very little love in homes and in family life. We have no time for our children, we have no time for each other; there is no time to enjoy each other. In the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world." ( Bl. Mother Teresa )
Blessed Mother Teresa saw the tragedy in becoming so consumed with advancement, status, and work instead of embracing those who are irreplaceable and ever needing of love in our lives. It is so easy to get lost in the worldly day to day struggles/demands. However, we must remember that we are not of this world and that our lives should be focused on living in union with God....and doing His will. It is in this surrender that we will truly find a means of balance during our worldly days. It is through understanding the true importance of our families, our children, and our neighbours that we will become instruments of our Lord. Unity among us is what HE desires and this is the Devil's playing ground for distortion. This is so clearly seen by looking into the family dynamics that plague our society today. We urgently strive to have more, to do more, and to accomplish more. We work, and work, and work, but what about LOVE? What about putting that work into our families, into our children, and into our homes so that there can be a restored balance. It is in this balance that we can live in true unity as God called us to do. Today there is such a great imbalance in our priorities and in our lives. One will throw themselves into gruesome hours of work in order to advance in society and worldly ways. Ironically the idea of working at a stronger family life, a stronger marriage, any work toward each other is something we want no part of???? And then we hear statements such as these echoed around us.." The world is in a horrible state"..."The idea of family is lost"...." There is no hope for our future generations" I beg to differ. "In the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world" (Bl M. Teresa). As Christians we are called to LOVE. We must strive daily to take a step back and focus on the REAL priorities. Is it hard to make this a reality? I would like to say YES! Impossible? NO. Cling to the Lord for strength. Only with Him as our guide and our focus will we be able to maintain our worldly duties and our call to live in unity with our families and loved ones. Lord today I pray for the restoration of our world which begins in our smaller world at home. I pray for healing amongst those homes that have been broken. Lord use Us who claim to know You as a light to others. May our actions and our own homes reflect Your love. May we recognize the importance of relationship with one another and somehow find the time amidst our other commitments to love our families, our children, our spouses, and our sisters/brothers in Christ abundantly. May we pursue advancement toward a strong family structure as we have pursued the things of this world. Lord strengthen and shine a light on those who demonstrate Your will in their own homes daily. May we be able to see Your presence through their example. Lord, you know it is easy to look around and be discouraged by the amount of broken homes, marriages, and families. Provide us with the knowledge, wisdom, and strength to assist us in creating a home like that of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. Give us comforting arms and words to aid those who are hurting due to disruption in their own families. Guide our young Lord to live as You have called them to. For through them we will have our future worldly homes. Give them strength in chastity and obedience so that they are able to recognize true values. St. Joseph intercede in the lives of all men and provide them with the strength to be men as God intended. Mother Mary embrace every woman, wrap your mantle of warmth around their shoulders and guide them to live with a heart as open, loving, and selfless as yours. Lord when it seems that we have no time to do Your will, show us the moments. Pour Your love into us so we are able to offer it to those who need it around us. Assist us in creating peace in our homes so we are able to live as You intended until we are home with You. Amen. (C.C.)
As I read this I thought... imagine if we all worked as hard on our families, our marriages, our relationships. What a different world it would be!!! We definitely have it reverse - we glorify the money, fame, status to the point of neglecting the very gift God have given us of family. As Christians, we are called to be the salt and light of the world. In so doing we too must be very careful not to fall in the trap of working for things and not for the kingdom OR giving God the left over- when we are tired. He should be first and should be valued more than anything else in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI recently read in Mark 9 :42 " Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea"
We have a responsibility to our children who believe. Let our focus be glorifying God in whatever we do with a priority to our family.