Meet the Family

Readings for Wednesday July 14, 2010

Memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

First Reading: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 94
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27


At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." (Mt 11:25-27)

I remember the first time that I introduced my wife (girlfriend at the time) to my family. We met at a restaurant, and I had invited her and only told my parents that I was going to bring a guest. It is always an interesting thing when you first introduce a significant other to your family. You always wonder how they will interact with each other. You might fear that someone will say the wrong thing and offend another person. You want the family to see the same spectacular qualities that you see in the person. Meeting the family is an important step in a relationship, because it is the family that is an extension of that person. If we want to really know the person, then we must get to know the family.

We were created by and meant for God. We were meant to know Him and form a personal relationship with Him. If we are to know God, then we must get acquainted with His family. We must know the trinity; one God, three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We must know and follow Jesus, the beloved Son. We must ask to know the Father, who Jesus tells us in today's that the Father is revealed by the Son. We must also know the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. The Holy Spirit is the advocate, who brings about gifts and fruits in our lives. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for a deepening of our faith, the ability to love and for a greater understanding of the Father's will for us.

Along with knowing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; we should also get to know some of the other family members. Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was given to us as our mother by Christ on the cross (Jn 19:25-27). Mary is both Queen of Heaven and Earth, as well as our Mother. She loves each of her children, and seeks only to bring them closer to her Son Jesus. Let us pray for her intercessions and model our life after hers. Another part of God's family is the Saints and Angels who are in heaven with God. We know that God works through His angels, let us ask for their protection and ministry in this life. Let us ask for the prayers of the saints in heaven and for special graces from God.

By knowing God's family, we realize something very important ... we are never alone. This world may try to beat us down, but we come fighting back with the strength of almighty God and our family. As sons and daughters of God, it is time for us to get acquainted with the family of God.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.

Father above, we are your sons and daughters. Made by you and for you, help our lives to reflect your love for your family. Lord, thank you for the gift of this day and for the many blessings in our lives. Lord, you are our rock and our salvation, help us to never veer from you. We praise you for all that we are and all that we have. May we always be good stewards of this life, and may we give you glory in all things. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.