The Joy of Love: Opening Our Hearts to Families

 - January 14, 2017

 

As we begin a new year, many of us may be facing transitions of various kinds. With my new ministry at the diocese, this is certainly the case for me! It’s very easy to lose our equilibrium in times of transition: our sense of who we are, where we belong, where God is to be found. How do we negotiate transition? How do we deal with change? Do we deny it, try to forestall it as long as possible? Do we cling stubbornly to the status quo? Or, conversely, do we jump into the future with “eyes wide shut”, not taking the time to value what is already here, failing to carry forward treasures from the past as we bring forth the new?

Today’s Scriptures speak to us of transition. Isaiah proclaims the coming of a Messiah who will not only restore Israel, but make it “a light to the nations”, bearer of a universal salvation. Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians that they are called to be saints: to make the transition from a sinful past to a life of holiness and peace. The transition from Old to New Testament comes in the Gospel in the figure of John the Baptist: both Hebrew prophet and announcer of a new covenant in the person of Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” In Jesus’ life and ministry, we experience profound continuity with the history & covenant with the Jewish people, but also the inbreaking of something new and utterly original.

This coming Saturday – which also marks the beginning of the week of prayer for Christian Unity – I will be chairing an ecumenical panel (all good friends of mine!) to lead our parish in a discussion of Pope Francis’ recent letter to families, entitled “The Joy of Love”. Is there any greater transition in our society than the one faced by families, as they seek to live out their mission in the world? Pope Francis offers us the hopeful vision of a pastoral and merciful church, “a family of families”, called to embrace this invitation to create a culture of welcome, faithfulness, holiness, and life-giving acceptance for all families.

What do we need to do this? The Psalmist reminds us that we have been given “an open ear”. In these times of transition, let us listen carefully, discerning with human wisdom and divine guidance the path we are meant to embrace. May God bless all of our families – and our parish family – throughout the coming year!