Love Begins at Home

A Reflection on the Psalm for December 30th, 2018:
The Feast of the Holy Family

PSALM 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

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​Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!

1. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
   who walks in his ways!
   For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
   blessed shall you be, and favored.
2. Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!                
3. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
   in the recesses of your home;
   your children like olive plants
   around your table.
4. Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
5. Behold, thus is the man blessed
   who fears the LORD.
   The LORD bless you from Zion:
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
6. Response O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
7. 
   

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There is no better time than now to focus on the Holy Family as we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Blessed is the fruit of the womb of Mary. The same spirit which came upon Mary, came upon every mother. All children have been created by God. It is through the Spirit of God that we have been created. Think about that! Like Mary, who brought Jesus into the world, we too are commissioned with the legacy of bringing Jesus into the world with our every thought, word, and deed.  
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"You shall eat the fruit of your handiwork."

As I ponder what that line could mean, I’m reminded that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love️, therefore the fruit of our handiwork has to be love. When we are motivated by love to respond to life’s opportunities, we can’t fail. The works of our hands become blessed by God and bears much fruit.  

Family is under great attack at this time in history. People have walked away from believing in God and are being lulled into submission by the internet. Just try to set boundaries around your teenager’s use of their phone or tablet and you will experience great resistance and even rage.  We have replaced real family time with FaceTime.

​"Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD."

‘Fear of the Lord’ is having a sense of respect and awe and reverence of God, and discerning His will for us in our daily living. It’s not easy to put God’s will first, but in doing so, the Holy Spirit affords us the peace that only comes from being and living in the grace of God.

"It’s not easy to put God’s will first, but in doing so, the Holy Spirit affords us the peace that only comes from being and living in the grace of God."

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The family who prays together, stays together. For those of us who are faithful to our prayer know for a fact that prayer is a direct link to the fullness of God’s power to strengthen us and to empower us to live a life in peace and harmony with our heart’s desire. What is in your heart? I've heard it said, “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”  (Blessed Mother Teresa) Love is the fruit of your handiwork.   ​

Patricia Cosgrove

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