Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Feast of the Holy Family: The Christian Family is a Domestic Church
Catholic Online ^ | 12/26/10 | Deacon Keith Fournier

Posted on 12/27/2010 9:12:40 AM PST by tcg

..."But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way." (1Cor. 12:31) I woke up in church this morning. Not on a cold dark floor or surrounded by votive candles and stained glass, but next to my partner in faith, my best friend, my beloved wife of 34 years, Laurine.

We are staying overnight this Christmas at the home of our oldest daughter. She wanted to host Christmas this year for the first time. She is the first of our five grown children. Her home is filled to overflowing with love, and the floors are filled with our children who were able to travel here, our grandchildren, and a rambunctious little dog. Together, we form an ecclesial community in the home. I was truly "in Church" this morning.

From antiquity the Christian Family has been called "the domestic church." Perhaps the most often quoted use of the term is from the "Golden Mouth", the Bishop John Chrysostom, writing in Antioch (the city where they were first called Christians) in the fourth century.

After all, the church is a relational reality, "when two or three are gathered." said the Lord. (Matt. 18:20) Also, at least within the Catholic and Orthodox Church, Christian Marriage is a Sacrament. In other words, it is a participation in- and sign of- the Life of the Trinity! As the Apostle Peter wrote to the early Christians, we are "partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1)

Yet, how often do we really view this way of life in this way?

Even the most sincere Christians can still live out their Christian life with a certain dualism. They see themselves as living "in the world" and "going to Church." ....

(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Moral Issues; Theology
KEYWORDS: family; happiness; holiness; marriage
We actually live in Church. We were baptized into the Lord and we now live in His Body. The Christian family IS a church, the smallest and most vital cell of that Body. The extended church community is a family of families. This understanding is more than piety--it is sound ecclesiology, solid anthropology, in fact it is reality for those who are baptized into Christ Jesus. It can lead us to holiness and happiness.
1 posted on 12/27/2010 9:12:45 AM PST by tcg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: tcg
Feast of the Holy Family: The Christian Family is a Domestic Church
Chesterton on "The Human Family and the Holy Family"
Joseph, Mary and Jesus: A Model Family
ADVICE TO PARENTS by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)

The Holy Family
St. Joseph as Head of the Holy Family (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Feast of the Holy Family
Feast of the Holy Family (Dom Guéranger OSB)
The Feast of the Holy Family
The Holy Family vs. The Holy Innocents: A Christmas season reflection [Catholic Caucus]
Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop
The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]
Imitating the Holy Family; Four Traits that Make It Possible
Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...

2 posted on 12/27/2010 9:17:18 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tcg

I was the ovoerseer last night for a Filipino Mass at my church. Three priest con-celebrated the Mass, roast pig, the whole nine yards. (Setting up for Mass, seeing that the hall was left clean, securing all the buildings, etc.)

This message of the family being the first church was the crux of his message to these people.


3 posted on 12/27/2010 9:19:29 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tcg

I was the ovoerseer last night for a Filipino Mass at my church. Three priest con-celebrated the Mass, roast pig, the whole nine yards. (Setting up for Mass, seeing that the hall was left clean, securing all the buildings, etc.)

This message of the family being the first church was the crux of his homily to these people.


4 posted on 12/27/2010 9:20:00 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

We are the church. Its not the building, not the pastors and priests and not the folks on TV.
They are all PART of the church, and the provide buildings for the body to gather at, but when it comes down to it, Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church- Scripture is very clear that it starts with God, then Family. Once these things are focused on, the rest of lifes challenges are addressed by the focus on these two things.... Living As a Christian means a 1-1 relationship with Christ, the living God. And living HIS way.
God Bless !


5 posted on 12/27/2010 9:55:19 AM PST by humantech ("No one wants to live to see such evil times. Its what you do with the time you are given")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: tcg
"The Christian family IS a church, the smallest and most vital cell of that Body."

I always particularly liked that image.

6 posted on 12/27/2010 1:51:03 PM PST by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson