Family of God

   Family has lost its’ importance in our society.  The ease of moving from one place to another and then moving again has taken its’ toll on family closeness.  Families that once had great reunions at holidays or other times now rarely see each other.

   Communication has become a text here, a Facebook post there and maybe, just maybe, a phone call occasionally.  I remember when children called home regularly to talk with Mom and Dad and keep up with how they were doing or just to chat.  Phone calls are nearly a thing of the past now and I still can’t understand why someone would text but not talk.  Our families have become impersonal in so many ways it’s a wonder we still think of ourselves in the terms of family.  I have no doubt that society has suffered because of the deterioration of the family unit.

   The modern attitude toward family has also affected our spiritual family.  Family ties used to have importance; people maintained those ties through thick and thin.  But now even ties to God and His family have become meaningless to many.  Just as with our earthly family many have lost touch with their heavenly family.  Some may still go to church, but for many it's simply a habit, not a way of life.  On surveys, the religious preference block “none” is now the most frequently checked.  I pray for those who have lost their closeness with their earthly family but even more so for the ones who no longer claim their spiritual family.

   As Christians we are born of God through water and the Spirit.  We are a part of the heavenly family and need to maintain our closeness for the sake of our eternal soul.  We are part of the family of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  We are the children of Abraham, directly related to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints through faith.  These truly are the ties that bind.  They bind us to God and the hope of eternal life with Him.

   Society as we know it cannot exist without the building blocks of family.  Havoc will rule if they cease to exist.  Without the family of God chaos will reign in our souls throughout eternity.  Strong family ties with our earthly family are important but our heavenly families are vital to eternal peace, joy, and love.  God created us to be family.  We are meant to be part of something bigger than ourselves.  We are meant to be part of His family.

“For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Gal 3: 26)