Tuesday, September 17, 2013

17 September 2013 - familiar themes

17 September 2013 - familiar themes

The LORD wants to transform us from isolated individuals into his people, the members of his family.

My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me.
He who walks in the way of integrity
shall be in my service.

But this world is affected by original sin and even family life is not immune.

As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.

This was likely a situation with which Jesus is all to familiar.  Joseph disappears from the stage of Scripture long before Mary.  It is likely that he is older than her and dies much sooner.  Mary is then the widow who relies on her only son.  Jesus knows that soon he too will be taken from her, leaving her just like this widow.  Is it any wonder he has compassion on her?

When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”

The life of the family is so important. It is so formative.  No wonder Paul insists on good skills leading a family as prerequisites for office in the Church.

He must manage his own household well,
keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,
how can he take care of the Church of God?

A bishop should be temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, a good husband and father, humble, and even well-reputed. All of these virtues are essential within the life of the family and it is there that they are tested and refined.  The vices which Paul mentions are correspondingly damaging to family life. Love of drink, money, and argument can all be huge problems.

Family is a school of holiness.  The Holy Family exemplifies the perfection of this life.  It is from this family that Jesus comes.  His compassion on this young man and his mother cannot be fully understood without reference to it.

“Young man, I tell you, arise!”

This might seem like enough.  He raises the dead.  What more can we ask?  But he dose not leave the situation at that because everything he does is personal, informed by the family life from which he comes.

The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.

No doubt Jesus looks forward to when his body is given to his mother.  He longs hereby to offer comfort to all mothers.  Let us proclaim with all the people:

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”

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