BLESSING TO OUR FAMILY

Monday, 4^th Week in Ordinary Time              

            “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”

            The command Jesus gives to the man he has just freed from being possessed by evil spirits is clear. Jesus orders him to go home to his family and share the good news of God’s loving care that he has just personally experienced.

            This is also Jesus’ clear and simple message for us today. But, let us admit it – many times we fail to be a blessing to our family. Instead of being a blessing, we become the opposite… we become like a curse to our family. Sometimes instead of bringing “good news” we bring “bad news” – or we become “bad news” ourselves to our family because of the many negative things we bring home – ill feelings, hang-ups, stress, tension, conflict, etc.

            Harold Sala, in his book Today Counts, gives a very good advice on this matter by proposing “five guidelines to make our home a place of refuge and safety.”

            Get your values straight. Your family is forever; your job is not. It is not right, it is not fair to take out your resentment with your boss or co-worker on your family.

            Love your family more than you dislike your boss or co-workers. We must make a conscious effort to prove this to ourselves and to show this to our family.

            Tell your emotions where to get off. Leave negative feelings at work – do not bring them home.

            Be your own person. Nobody can make you lose your cool unless you allow others to take it from you.

            Look for another job when all else fails. Your kids would rather have less money and enjoy a parent who smiles and laughs than more money and have so much stress in their lives.

            Again, Jesus’s message for us is: “Go home to your family and share the good news of all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.” Sana sa tuwing uuwi tayo ng bahay biyaya ng Diyos ang dala-dala natin. Our family will be able to see proofs of God’s love in us and through us; they will be able to feel that we are inspired and inspirited; they will be able to hear the good news of God’s personal love. Everyday we have many opportunities to receive God’s blessing and in turn be a blessing to our family. “Go home to your family and be a blessing to them.”