A Family In God

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derivesits name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)

We use the word “family” to describe so many things. We speak broadly about the “family of humankind.” Businesses and organizations borrow the term “family” in their teambuilding activities among employees. As a church or parish, we often refer to ourselves as a “family.” But how are these “families” different than the families that we belong to which consist of our parents and siblings and other relatives?

As Christians, we believe that family life begins in God. A Christian family is also considered to be a special sign of the presence and love of God. Our families are given to us as a gift, which we receive through the grace of God. Pope Francis has spoken extensively about the Christian family. He said that the family is vital for building up the church and ultimately will be an integral factor in the overall transformation of the world. The Pope also made a statement that Christian families are “the right place for faith to become life, and life to become faith.” This means that love and compassion must be cultivated and shared within a family so that the family can become a model and example for our world which is in desperate need of change. Mother Teresa once said: “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” In a similar manner, the Pope went on to explain that gestures of love must exist daily in the lives of a family because it is through such
gestures that God’s love can be transmitted to the family, to the community, and to the world.

In today’s world, careers, education, and extra-circular activities seem to take priority over spending quality time together as families. Many times, people are too busy that they are not even able to share a meal with their spouse and children. In all of the “busy-ness” of life, mealtime and table fellowship should never be compromised, for it is at the table that families should be able to spend time with each other and grow closer with one another. The family table is just as important
as a family altar. Families that not only pray together but who also eat together will stay together and grow together for the glory of God. The family table should not be an occasional occurrence but should be the center of life in our homes.

It is no small coincidence and no small wonder that the family of God, the community of faith that we call the Church, finds the center of its life at another table: the Lord’s Table. Jesus calls us to this table, to this altar, for all the same reasons that bring us to the family table. However, there is one powerful and profound difference. It is at the Lord’s Table that Jesus gives us Himself, whole and entire, His very Body and Blood, to unite us to Him and to one another in our journey of life. It is at this Holy Table that we are blessed and empowered. It is what draws us together; it is what keeps us together; it is what makes us one body, one family in Christ. The Holy Communion is, without a doubt, the most important “family event” we could ever hope for. In faith, hope, and love, let us, as families, embrace the Holy Table of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as a source of spiritual strength for our families.

May the love and grace of God continue to abide with us and our families!

With love and prayers,
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Vicar, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church
​Connecticut