Pastor's Corner

“Who is my family?”

 

May is Christian Home month, celebrating the role of the Christian home and family as central to faith formation. Mother’s Day is the highlight of the celebration. Who is family?

When Jesus was teaching, a man came to him and said that Jesus’ mother and brothers wanted to talk to him. And Jesus answered him, “who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” pointing to his disciples, “here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50). Jesus defined home and family from the perspective of the Kingdom of God, beyond flesh and blood ties. 

There are many and varied characteristics of Christian families but there is a common faith with one hope, the hope of Jesus Christ.  Our families include male and female, young and old, rich and poor, married and single, those share our DNA and those who don’t, those who love and are loved, those who forgive and are forgiven, those who cherish and are cherished.  And we are families in faith.

Families, Christian families, are called to be the center of faith formation. Christian home month reminds us of this call. Hymn writer Henry Ware, Jr. describes a shared faith that is both central to and nurtured within the family in his well-known hymn, “Happy the Home when God is there." (United  Methodist Hymn No.445)

               Happy the home when God is there, and love fills every breast;
               when one their wish and one their prayer, and one their heavenly rest.

               Happy the home where Jesus’ name is sweet to every ear;
               where children early speak his fame, and parents hold him dear.

               Happy the home where prayer is heard, and praise is wont to rise;
               where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.

               Lord, let us in our homes agree this blessed peace to gain; unite our hearts in love to Thee, and love to all will reign.

 

May God bless all families.
Pastor Paul