Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
A man fell into hard times in his life. He lost his job and he had been cut out of his family’s inheritance by his brother. So, one day he attended Church for the first time in years, and he heard the preacher say that, to one effect or another, God helps those who help themselves. All of a sudden, he gets an inspiration. He will start gathering the poor and homeless for a weekend to come to a nice house to rest for a time. He invites hundreds of people to this house, and eventually, it wears down the property. A local pastor gets suspicious and asks him what he is up to. There must be some scam involved. “Oh, nothing wrong at all here, reverend. This is my brother’s house, and he cut me out of the family’s will.”
Family is meant to be more than money, all joking aside. We are challenged in family life to forgive one another and to give to our loved ones in mutual charity. The institution of the family is the first foundation of society. We need kinship to live a full Christian life. In the Eucharist, we see the greatest connection for our flesh and blood ties from the one who gives us His own flesh and blood to consume. We become like Christ when we partake of the Eucharist and invite others to know this great gift.
Challenge: Jesus’ statement about doing God’s will as a requirement for brotherhood with Him was not a rejection of His mother and family. This shows that His family is extended, not closed off. He opens His loving family to all who seek God in genuine faith. Take time to renew your commitment with your family. Make sure you share at least one meal a day with your family. Set time aside once a week to call your siblings or others who live far away. Above all, make sure you pray with your family, for that is a bedrock foundation to the Catholic family. Amen.
Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections