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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for July 26, 2007
HOPE FOR THE FAMILY
"Blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear." –Matthew 13:16

Jesus called us blest because of what we've seen and heard. Kings, prophets, and saints have not been blest as we are (Mt 13:17). We are not only blest in the present, but our families will be blest in the future. The Lord promised: "For all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out" (Sir 44:13). Our families will receive God's mercy down to the thousandth generation because of our love for the Lord (Ex 20:6).

However, maybe you don't feel very blest and feel even worse about your family's future. Maybe your children or grandchildren are married outside of the Church and/or not going to church. Under these circumstances it's difficult to believe your families are being blest through the faith of the parents and grandparents.

Nonetheless, you have reason to rejoice in God's blessings on you and your family because the Lord can change the hearts of each family member. The Lord's will is for all to be saved (1 Tm 2:4). He is planning a family reunion in heaven for your family, and His will is that not one family member be missing (see Acts 16:31). So by faith rejoice in your family's salvation. Don't be discouraged by what you see in your family but encouraged by what you hear from the Lord. Pray, obey, share your faith, and trust God for your family's future and eternity.
PRAYER: Father, I place each member of my family in Your hands. I surrender them to You.
PROMISE: "These also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten." –Sir 44:10
PRAISE: Sts. Joachim & Ann dedicated their daughter to the Lord and trusted completely in Him for her future.

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