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.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

Good morning. Today we receive a lesson in hospitality. In today’s Gospel we read the story of Mary and Martha and the visit to their home by Jesus. Martha’s response was what we might expect. Martha was busy over the stove and primping over a nice bouquet for the table. Unfortunately Martha allowed the preparations and attention to all of the details of being hospitable distract her from the central cause for all the excitement—Jesus. Mary on the other hand was busying herself with what truly mattered—their guest. How this story so reflects our own lives. We so often allow ourselves to become distracted by all the details of living that we lose focus of the most important details of our lives; we lose sight of those we share that life with. Like Mary we need to remember to make time for that which truly matters, we need to remember to make time to just be with the one’s we love. Make time today. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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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.