Yesterday, Catholics around the world celebrated the feast of The Holy Family...Holy Family
Sunday...!
The Holy Family, of course, was Jesus, Mary, & Joseph...!!!
They, more or less, serve as a model for the rest of us, and so we have Holy Family Sunday...!
Does anyone reading this think there is such a thing as a perfect family??? If so, stop reading this now...it will be a waste of your time...!!!
Holy families aren't perfect families,,,there is no such thing as a perfect family, but all families are called to be Holy...!
The priest giving the homily yesterday brought out many aspects of that statement!!!
Recalling how even in the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph each had their challenges and crosses to bear...Jesus bearing the ultimate cross that saves all humanity...!
I discuss often on this blog how life itself seems like a great juggling act...a constant walk on a high wire struggling to maintain balance...always improving, but always slightly missing the mark...nevertheless, never giving up...tomorrow is always another day...!!!
So what should we as parents be busy about doing...the more we try to sharpen our parenting skills, the more those skills seem to need sharpening...!!!
Like a person addicted to a substance or bad habit or negative behavior, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves, always ready to admit our failings and shortcomings...that is where we find the victory over these matters...in admitting that the problem is far beyond the ability for us to solve alone...hence the term 'family' or 'team'...A family of 3 or 5 or 17 can be Holy, but they'll never be perfect...
Let's use the yardstick I am most familiar with...one is either a peacemaker or a troublemaker...a giver or a taker...a saint or a sinner...aha, that last one I put in to trick you...!!!
We are all sinners, capable of doing wrong things...those that repent and change become saints...and not by their own doing, but with the help of Him who created us...you see, he does not leave us orphaned...a good parent wouldn't...
It might be how we weave our shortcomings into common cloth that is the measure of our family's holiness...it certainly isn't about amassing a bunch of perfect people together, calling them a family, and attempting to acquire holiness on our own according to our combined intelligence or pooled abilities...
No, the Holy Family is the family that takes each step selflessly...subordinating each's need to those of the family...sometimes that brings happiness, and sometimes that brings pain...both are needed to grow into Holiness...
Aha, the grand experiment...take up your cross each day and follow HIM...cast your cares on HIM and HE will care for you...for our cross is easy and our burden is light...!!!
God Bless ALL Families...!!!
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
Fran- Each family is holy and sacred in the eyes of God since God created the family. There is no such thing as a perfect family. It took me many years to figure that one out as I would wish my family was more like others I saw. We never know what the other family is actually going through.
Dec 29, 2008 12:53 AM
Veterans Realty Inc - Venice, FL
Who You Work With Matters!
Fran - I always review my goals both personally and professionally every year and believe it or not that very subject is included for my plan for 2009. Our family is definitely not perfect but we have lots of love for each other and that is what is important and teaching that to our children is important also.
Dec 29, 2008 01:00 AM
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate
My mother was a good Christian woman. She had 12 children, and did her best to have a good, caring family. Perfect, we were not, but loving and caring-- YES!
Dec 29, 2008 01:05 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Katerina: Well said words!!! :)
Kari: Spread the love...!!! :)
Thanks, Fran
Dec 29, 2008 01:07 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
VA 2 The Rescue - Thornton, CO
Debbi Mortus - Virtual Assistant
Fran,
A great post! Our homily yesterday also talked about realtionships, being holy and having a relationship with each other! It really hit home, we are not perfect, but we have relationships within our family, and they become more evident the older the kids get (one at college and to see how we all "fit" back together when she comes home)!
I also agree that you never know what goes on in other families or behind closed doors, the people you think are so "perfect" may have more troubles than you can imagine, and the grumpiest among us need the most love, so do the happiest!
Thanks again!
Dec 29, 2008 01:09 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Debbi,
Thanks for adding so much to this post!!! So far, I think the comments far outweigh the post itself in brilliance!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Dec 29, 2008 01:11 AM
RE/MAX 1st Olympic Lynchburg Va - Lynchburg, VA
Broker/Owner
good Morning Fran-I love your posts. They are filled with such exuberance. Thank you for your uplifting messages each day. I enjoy them a lot. Have a great and blessed day and Have a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. :-)
Dec 29, 2008 01:38 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Pat,
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year to you and your family!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Dec 29, 2008 02:01 AM
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon
I believe everyday I learn as much from my kids as they learn from me. I didn't think that was possible, but everyday I grow as a person as do they. Not all lessons learned are good one, but they are lessons learned that hopefully in the end will make the family better as well as the world.
Dec 29, 2008 02:21 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing
How many times have we substituted perfection for holiness in life....and how many times have people been hurt because of doing that??
Holiness is being set apart for Gods usefulness....... and that means being kind, forgiving and accepting..... not cruel, exacting and punishing........
=-)
Dec 29, 2008 05:53 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Alexander,
Amen!!! If I make it sound easy, forgive me! If I make it sound hard, forgive me, also!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Dec 29, 2008 06:09 AM
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing
Hehehehe....
Yer so funny, Fran.... too hard....too easy....
It is what it is...... a journey on lifes road........
May the Lord be exalted in it!!!
=-)
Dec 29, 2008 07:17 AM
Pine Knoll Shores Realty 252-422-9000 - Pine Knoll Shores, NC
Crystal Coast Real Estate NC
I actually suffered for years as a member of a church that preached perfection. If one (even though a Christian) committed a sin and did not publically repent before dying, that one was doomed to hell.
What a sad world it would be if that is what God expected from us. I mess up daily but I think I get it. I'm working hard constantly to be a loving person and I know for sure that GOD IS LOVE. Everything else will fall in place as long as I remember that. Thanks for a "perfect" blog about "perfect" families.
Dec 30, 2008 01:05 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Marian,
Stay away from perfect people and perfect churches!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Dec 30, 2008 01:32 AM
ZIP Realty, Inc-Houston District - Humble, TX
Fran,
The Holy Family is our great model of listening to God and following what we are asked to do. We know there was only ONE perfect person and that leaves the rest of us to strive and do better. As parents may we be the examples God ask us to be, but remember always that we are human and on occasion we make mistakes. We must keep the faith and keep striving. Let us also remember that we are a forgiven people and we are loved by THIS MUCH as Jesus stretches HIS Hands Out.
Happy, Blessed, and Safe New Year.
Dec 31, 2008 02:59 PM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Charles,
Strive for perfection using forgiveness as often as possible!!! Thanks, Fran
Dec 31, 2008 06:25 PM
Broker,Owner - Dreams Realty - Reno, NV
"Dreams Realty"
Hi Fran -- Happy New Year. I was particularly touched by your post -- a reminder in a very dramatic way how we have a responsibility (and privilege) to be honorable and loving parents (and grandparents) in God's great plan. Thank you and God bless you!
Jan 01, 2009 12:41 AM
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
Terry,
Best wishes to you and your family in this New Year!!! Thanks, Fran
Jan 01, 2009 01:10 AM
Rainmaker
826,658
826,658
Fran Gaspari
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
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