My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During the Christmas season, Our Lord invites us to grow in love for Him. We will receive this new and deeper love at Mass, through God’s Word, by witnessing for Jesus, by forgiving our enemies, and in many other ways. In trying to deepen our love for the members of our family, we will also grow in our love for the Lord.
The way to love your family more deeply is to be yourself; that is, to fulfill your God-given role in the family. Because God created families to be united, the various roles and dynamics of family life are intricately interrelated. For example, a single parent shouldn’t try to be a “double-parent.” Parents shouldn’t try to be a peer to their children. While all people are called to be submissive on many occasions, wives are to be the main models of submission: “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.” (Eph 5:22). Husbands also are the core models of submission to their wives and family: “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.” (Eph 5: 28). Therefore, fathers are to take the greatest responsibility in making their children disciples of Christ. There are, of course, many other examples.
Dear friends, the Lord expects us only to be ourselves and to do our best. He will provide what is missing in the family. In being ourselves and doing our best in family life, we will know the depth of Christ’s love in a new way this Christmas season (Eph 3:18). Try to be a holy family. Know a new love for Jesus. See the face of Jesus in our family members.
Happy New Year,
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen, Pastor