Celebrating Your Holy Family
“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged. Colossians 3:19-21
Growing up, I remember hearing the fifth commandment often, “Honor thy mother and father.” I mean, not doing so meant passing purgatory and going straight to hell. On the Feast of the Holy Family, I’ve often proclaimed the second reading from Colossians. For me, it is an excellent reflection for the reader of this article to reflect on their own family dynamics.
Before I was a wife, I remember reading the word 'subordinate' made me angry, but now, as a widow, I see it as a prompt that helped me discern which role to embrace in my marriage. What are my gifts, and what were my husband's, and to concede control where I was lesser. Thankfully, my husband managed the finances. As a child, obeying my parents was paramount to me, and I didn’t question them. But when the scripture warned, “Do not provoke your children,” it provided me the freedom to disobey now and then.
During my annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Holy Redeemer, I often gaze upon this bronze sculpture to thank God for my parents and for how they raised me; their model of marriage, albeit flawed, was how to be a child who was raised to love, respect, and feel the presence of God and model my faith to others.
All families are Holy, whether you define it as sacred or one that sparks surprise, alarm, or dismay. Pray, asking for the intercession of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to give you peace in and with your family.
Sherry Hayes-Peirce