Ash Wednesday; Look to the family where Christ's Life began!

Ash Wednesday; Look to the family where Christ’s Life began!

As we wait for Lent and discern a real need to ponder on,  the family unity is the most important place to begin.  There is no lack of deference to the meaning of sacrifice for sinfulness if we use the family prestige at this time leading to Easter.  

The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church.  It is a community of faith, hope, and charity; it assumes singular importance in the Church, as is evident in the New Testament,  (CCC 2204).  (cf Eph 5:21 - 6: 4).

Through the Incarnation, which has the most significance of our Redemption, everything that leads us to the Passion of Jesus takes precedent in his family connection with Mary and Joseph.  “Happy are all who fear the Lord, who walk in the ways of God.  What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper.  Like a fruitful vine your wife within your home.   Like olive plants your children around your table.  Just so will they be blessed who fear the Lord.”  (Ps 128: 1 - 4).

All priests, who are responsible for the tents of Lent and Easter Sunday, began as yet uncalled vicars of Christ in a loving family.  Without their challenge of following Christ that has its roots in family life, none of us would know about sacrifice for our sins.  “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I will be with you always, until the end of the age.”  (Mt 28: 19 - 20).

The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer.  Based on the Sacrament of marriage, the family is the “domestic Church” where God’s children learn to pray “as the Church” and to persevere in prayer.  For young children in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church’s living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.  (CCC2685).

The conjugal community is established upon the consent of the spouses.  Marriage and the family are ordered to the good of the spouses and to the procreation and education of children.  The love of the spouses and the begetting of children create among members of the same family personal relationships and primordial responsibilities.  (CCC 2201).

As Lent begins our first concern must rely upon the meaning of God’s creation of humanity and his desire to call us to forgiveness.  This begins with education regarding sin and God’s mercy.  That must start with parents to their children, first.  

Ralph B. Hathaway