It is 21st July 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St Lawrence of Brindisi, priest, and doctor of the Church.
The readings are from Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; and the Gospel is from Matthew 12:46-50.
God protects our families while the families provide the environment to experience God in and around.
A child who struggles to experience love and recognition within the family grapples with God and community around until it settles down.
To experience love and forgiveness in the community we live in, we need to trust God and connected with our families.
The way we are disconnected with our families is echoed in the struggles we go through in connecting with the communities around.
The absence of intimacy and closeness in Dysfunctional families create more loops and gaps with the community and its members.
When healthy tensions among the siblings develop into disturbing moments, the search for love, acceptance, and security is constantly under threat and pressure.
Even if the emotional climatic conditions are volatile in our family of origin, there is a sense of stability, security, and sanctity in God all through our life.
Prayer of prophet Micah throws light into the side of immeasurable mercy of God in forgiving and forgetting our brokenness. The prophet pleads God to show mercy and compassion to God’s people for their unfaithfulness and fallenness.
The responsorial Psalm intercedes, “Lord, show us your mercy and love.” (Ps.85:8).
In the Gospel, Jesus clarifies the eligibility to belong to the Family of God. Jesus envisions and recognises a new bonding needed for His Church, the family of God. Jesus proposes a new relationship for those who believe in God and are faithful to God in doing God’s will. Inspired by the presence of His Mother who responded totally to the will of God, He includes us all as His brothers and sisters if we listen and do the will of God. “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mt.12:50). May the Lord help us to celebrate our families ties as believers as we do in our own families. May you have a good day. God bless you.