Family and faith go hand in hand

Catechetical Sunday each year puts a spotlight on those who share the good news so that others learn of God’s unconditional love and mercy. Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry this Sunday across the country. This is also an opportunity to remember the important role each family plays in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel each day in our daily lives. Families are the lifelong nurturer of faith.

It is in our family that we learn how to love, how to pray, to be compassionate and how to live as children of God’s family. Our families are the soil that give roots to our hopes and dreams and help us to grow to use them in the world. Parents, grandparents, all those who love us, show us God’s grace over and over. Many times we are not even aware and miss feeling it, but it is still happening. Family life is where we live out our faith in God each and every day. 

In 2013 at his first World meeting of families as Holy Father, Pope Francis preached: 
…”And I want to repeat these three words: please, thank you, sorry. Three essential words! We say please so as not to be forceful in family life: “May I please do this? Would you be happy if I did this?” We do this with a language that seeks agreement. We say thank you, thank you for love! But be honest with me, how many times do you say thank you to your wife, and you to your husband? 

How many days go by without uttering this word, thanks! And the last word: sorry. We all make mistakes and on occasion someone gets offended in the marriage, in the family, and sometimes – I say – plates are smashed, harsh words are spoken but please listen to my advice: don’t ever let the sun set without reconciling. Peace is made each day in the family: ‘Please forgive me.’ and then you start over. Please, thank you, sorry! …. Let us say these words in our families! To forgive one another each day!” 

Our families are the place where we get to practice peace and compassion, love and forgiveness, without judgment. We do not always get it right, but when done with loving intention, we all learn from each other. Ask any parent or grandparent how much they have learned from the children in their lives. We are never done learning, about the world around us but especially about God. We are all companions on the journey to heaven, helping each other see God’s love in the world by being ourselves in relationship with each other. All the joys and struggles, laughter and tears, our homes are places to practice peace as Pope Francis says.

May we all be open to the gifts that the Holy Spirit offers, gifts of faith, hope and love to witness to God’s grace in the world. May God strengthen the hearts of parents, grandparents and caretakers to be a path to God’s grace, helping them to clear the way to kindness and forgiveness daily.
Mary Fay is the Associate Director for Marriage and Family Life Ministries.