31 st December, 2006

The Holy Family - Year C

S: Good morning - on this last day of 2006 we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. I just think of how often I hear the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph called upon, often in exasperation, in the average family. I think of a mother losing patience with her children and you know I think that this calling on Jesus, Mary and Joseph identifies them with our family and makes them real for us. Maybe we are moving away from those holy, holy, type pictures of the sanitised trio always smiling.

B: The Holy Family like any family had its ups and downs and today family life is changing. Families come in all shapes and sizes and each one is unique. No matter what their make up - single parent families, second families, adopted family or whatever, if they are communities where each member knows they are loved and are free to grow then it too is a holy family.

S: This morning we have a prayer for Gods Blessing on my family on this New Years Eve, and I do think it sums up well our hopes for our families as we begin a new year.

Lord, I ask your blessing and your favour in a special way on me and my family on this New Years Eve. I ask you with confidence, knowing that you love my family as much as I do myself, just as you love everyone in this world, good and bad alike. For this very reason you came to dwell with us that first Christmas night.

B: Bless all my loved ones. Bless them with the gift of your peace, your precious gift, a gift the world cannot give, a present money cannot buy.

S: Bless their going and coming. Keep them safe on the roads, keep them safe in their homes. Keep them under your protection. Keep them from harm’s way.

B: Bless and guide their actions and decisions about work and school. If any have strayed away from You, Lord, I ask you to give them your help, so that they can come back to you with joy.

S: Bless them in all that they do, in work and play, so that their lives will be filled with goodness.

B: Bless them with health and strength. May your healing presence bring them joy and happiness. Where there is sickness, or stress or worry, send the healing power of your love to their homes.

S: Bless them all with courage and hope when things are hard, and the going gets tough for them.

I make this request to you, Lord, with all the faith, all the hope, and all the love I can bring to you at this moment. Amen.

B: You’ve been listening to “Just a thought” with Brenda Cribbin...

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at Henry Street. You can also download your own copy of this reflection by clicking on limerickdiocese.org

B: We look forward to your company again next week, so take care...

S & B: HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!

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