Fr. Peter T. IBIMILUYI

 

The family holds a very pivotal place in the life of the society, in fact, it is described as the basis of the society. It is of utmost importance in the life of every individual, in fact, it is one thing we do not have the opportunity to choose for ourselves, it is chosen for us by nature and ultimately by divine providence. Family is indeed everything, little wonder, Jesus would come to us through a family, He will find his root and base in the family. There was no better platform, no better method, no better technique, no better base for Jesus than the family. Family gives us the perfect avenue to immerse ourselves into the very life of the society, for no man is an island, we belong to a community of persons, our root, our source, our everything.

 

We celebrate today, the family in a very special way as an institution that God Himself is happy with, one instituted by God Himself when He thought of it wise that it was not good for man to be alone (cf. Gen. 2:18). This is God's own enterprise, God's own business which is why it is so disheartening how the modern man tries to truncate this divine intention to establish man within a family through the many anti-family life ideologies that are flying around. Today celebrates in a special way, the important place of father, mother and children in the family. Everything that contradicts this divine idea and intention is an attempt to go against God. Sad enough, how the world have turned to breeding children who grow around themselves gate for others, owing to the inability of husband and wife to stay together as a family.

 

A boy once wrote "I am thirteen years old.

 

My parents separated just twenty days ago. They went to the court and the judge handed over my custody, without asking me, to my mother, though I prefer to live with my father. They have ruined my life. I am desperate. I see the other children, all happy in the company of their parents. I ask why I too can't be happy like them. Do my parents not know what it means for a boy left without his father? I feel growing within me a hate towards everyone. I feel more and more miserable. I feel like hating all those boys who have their parents..." This is the agony of a boy who does not enjoy the love of being with his parents and so it is the pain of many children out there who have become the victims of divorce and unhappy family life.

 

The Family remains a very great pillar in building a successful, peaceful, loving and united

society. To bring about this, each member of the family has a role to play. The harmonization of roles brings about a peaceful, loving and united family which therefore makes itself fit to transform the world and love remains a central focus. With love, correction is seen in a positive light, forgiveness becomes a habit, tolerance a lifestyle, and appreciation a watchword.

 

Our families can become holy too when we all do our part, listening always to the voice of God and doing His will as we see in the life of Mary and Joseph. Remember, the family is a domestic Church where the seed of faith is first planted. The family that prays together stays together.

 

Let us pray: May the Lord bless our families with peace, joy, happiness, love and unity and make our families like that of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen