The Catholic Christian Church has always been described as the Family of God.
About to enter the Promised Land, Joshua asked the Israelites to choose to serve the LORD, or the gods beyond the River or those of the Amorites (cf Jos 24:15).
While he waited on the people to make individual decision, Joshua went ahead to state: “but for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (24:15b).
Peter was invited by the centurion Cornelius to his house where the former baptized him together with his relatives and close friends (cf. Acts 10).
Today’s excerpt is on the conversion of Lydia, from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth, together with her household (cf. Acts 16:11-15).
When earthquake opened the prison doors, the jailer of Paul and Silas thought they had escaped. As he tried to take his own life, they stopped him. He took them home and washed their wounds and then he and his family were baptized (cf. Acts 16:16-34).
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to keep the faithful households today. Faithful parent’s only have their kids baptized and later get them ready for First Communion and Confirmation.
Only few Christian families keep and practice the faith together beyond the initial role of ensuring that the children receive the basic sacraments.
In as much as we profess individually, the Christian life is rooted in the family called the domestic church and spreads to the community.
As we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, let us get our families ready to receive him for testimony (Gospel).
