CatholicFamilyToday

As a Marriage and Family Therapist I celebrate the chance to help married couples come to a better understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage. Sadly we have lost a sense of marriage as it was intended by God in the beginning. This blog is about marriage as it applies to scripture and the lives of the saints. As a Marriage Counselor I invite you to walk with me on a journey within the rich anthropology of our faith. The sacredness of Marriage is what this blog, and my work is all about.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Feast of Saint Antonio Zaccaria

Good morning. One of the most difficult things to do, and yet when done its benefit is at times beyond description is that of forgiveness. The difficulty in the giving of this thing called forgiveness is the belief that it results in a loss rather than a gain. And, in a sense it is, we are giving away something of ourselves, but ultimately we are likewise gaining much more. In today’s Gospel we read of forgiveness. Jesus stands always ready to forgive. We too are asked to forgive. The act of forgiveness does not undo the act being forgiven, but it frees us up to get up and get on with our lives. "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." Forgiveness frees us from the memory of the hurt and allows it to no longer continue hurting us. Forgiveness is an act of self-love, a healing gift we give ourselves, and it is the giving of our love to that other who hurt us. How can we ask any less of ourselves than the one our saint for today, Saint Antonio Zaccaria points to in today's image? Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. It just doesn’t get any better than that. Who do we need to forgive? Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint Antonio Zaccaria.

Archbishop Charles Chaput -- Fortnight for Freedom Closing Homily from Rocco Palmo on Vimeo.

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BOOK OF THE MONTH

Awhile back I was out splitting wood when someone in passing introduced himself. Knowing me to be the parent of three of our four children whom the passerby knows he took the time to compliment me on what nice children Linda and I have. I suggested that most of the credit truly belongs to their mother and he responded that I likely had a play in it in some way and that whatever we did it should perhaps be put into a book. I thanked him and he went on his way and I resumed splitting wood with increased energy as a result of his kind words. This kind man is possibly correct about putting into a book whatever wisdom I might have to offer, but short of my ever getting any such wisdom published I might suggest reading the work of Peter Kreeft Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters. This delightful collection of instructional and at times humorous reflections by the author would likely reflect the type of things I would be inclined to put into words myself for my own children. Among many enlightening points the author makes, one which really needs to influence all that we as parents do is his point that the greatest gift which we give to our children is the gift of faith—their awareness of God. He likewise makes another critical point that when we are gone, “when the parent is dead, it’s too late to share the most precious things he knows.” This book should be part of every Christian family’s collection.