Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
December 31, 2017.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Readings: Gen.
15:1-6, 21:1-3; Responsorial Psalm PS 105:1-2. 3-4.5-6.8-9;
Heb. 11:8-11.12.17-19
& Gospel Luke 2:22-40.
Theme: The Family Holy Family: A Model for all
Christian Families.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today we draw inspiration from the
first family which remains a model for all Christian families. Our reflection
shall highlight the meaning, types and functions of the family and also state
the various challenges confronting the family in our age. Based on the
readings, we shall also touch on the obligation of parents to their children
and the responsibility of children towards their parents. The pastoral
application of the sacred text would follow. The thoughts shared in this homily
are from my book “Couple’s clinic: A practical guide on conflict resolution
in marriage and the family in the light of effective communication for couples,
would-be couples, pastors of souls and marriage counselors” published in 2017
by USCA Prints, Jos.
A Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Gen. 15:1-6, 21:1-3), God fulfilled
his promise to Abraham by letting his wife Sarah bear a son in her old age. We
are told that because he believed in God, it was reckoned for him as
righteousness. In the reading, we not only see how God is faithful to his
promises but how he brings smile to a family that is childless. It also reveals
that in a family without children, the joy of couples is often incomplete. The
attitude of Abraham and Sarah depicts persistence of faith in a God who never
fails.
Little wonder in
the second reading (Heb. 11:8-11.12.17-19), God praises Abraham for his obedience
noting that that was why he received an inheritance. The exciting part of the
text is the disclosure that because of the good deeds of one man, humanity was
promised descendants as many as the grains of sand on the seashore and the
stars of heaven. The reading recalled his readiness to offer his only son Isaac
through whom the promises of many descendants was to come to fruition. The
writer to the Hebrews stressed that that act meant that Abraham “considered
that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence he did receive him
back and this was a symbol.”
Meanwhile, the
gospel of Luke (Lk. 2:22-40) discloses the
presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple. The appearance of Simeon and
Anna the prophetess was in fulfillment of God’s promise about the redemption of
Israel as testified by the two holy servants. After doing what the law
required, we are told that they returned to Nazareth where the child grew in
wisdom and obedience and the Holy Family lived in peace. To put our reflection
in perspective, we let us take a look at what constitutes a family, its types
and functions.
Family: Meaning,
Types & Functions
In Africa, a family comprises of parents,
grandparents, brothers and sisters, close and distant relatives and the bonds
between two families forged by marriage (Synod of Bishops, 2014, no. 4). As a
generic term, a family also means a community of persons in the parish, local diocese
or the universal Church. Little wonder, the Second Vatican Council calls the
family the Ecclesia domestica that
is, the domestic Church (Lumen Gentium,
1964, no. 11) and describes it as a
place where parents are “by word and example... the first heralds of the faith
with regard to their children” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997, no. 1656).
Traditionally, there are two types of family: Nuclear
family and extended family. a). A nuclear family is made up of father, mother
and children living together. Being the most traditional form of family, it is
seen as an ideal system in which children are raised; b). An extended family is
seen as a joint family of father, mother, daughters, sons, grandparents,
uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews living together (National
Catechetical Week Programme, 2016, p.11).
The Christian family is the first community called to
announce the Gospel to the human person while growing and to bring him or her
through progressive education and catechesis to full human and Christian
maturity (Familiaris Consortio, 1981,
no. 2). As it were, the Church should be guided by a profound understanding of
the inexhaustible mystery of marriage and the family (Familiaris Consortio cited in Amoris
Laetitia, 2016, no.31). “Families at their best actively communicate by
their witness the beauty and the richness of the relationship between man and
woman, and between parents and children” (Pope Francis’ 49th World
Communications Day Message, 2015). To this end, Pope Saint John Paul II
outlines the fourfold functions of the family as: a). Forming a community of
persons; b). Serving life; c). Participation in the development of society, and
d). Sharing in the life and mission of the Church (Familiaris Consortio, 1981, no.17).
Challenges
Confronting the Family in Contemporary Society
i. Danger of
troubling individualism: There is a growing
danger of troubling individualism which deforms family bonds and ends up making
each component of the family as an isolated unit, leading, in some cases, to
the idea that a person is formed according to his own desires, which are
considered absolute.
ii. Crisis of
faith: There is also the crisis of faith among a great number
of Catholics which often underlies the crisis in marriage and the family. This
has led many Catholics out of the Church.
iii. The
Challenge of loneliness: Many people are suffering
from loneliness which arises from the absence of God
in their lives leading to the fragility of relationships.
iv. Poverty and
unemployment: There is also increasing
instances of poverty and unemployment in the workplace as well as the real
nightmare of overwhelming financial difficulties which discourage the young
from marrying. This creates a general feeling of powerlessness in the face of
socio-cultural realities that oftentimes end in crushing families.
v. Lack of
attention by Government and Institutions: The lack of
attention by government and institutions has
made most families to feel abandoned as
they find it difficult to raise children or take care of aged people who are
now seen as a burden. Most times, these affect people’s emotional balance,
which can lead to violence (Synod of Bishops, 2014, no. 5).
vi. The
Challenge of Polygamy: The challenge
of polygamy and “arranged marriages” as socio-cultural and religious realities
also constitute a major source of conflicts among couples and families in our
society.
vii. Difficulties
with mixed and interreligious marriages: Many mixed and interreligious marriages with their inherent difficulties
in terms of jurisprudence, baptism, the upbringing of children and mutual
respect with regards to differences in faith in countries where Catholics are
not many, also breeds conflict since these marriages give rise to relativism,
indifference or quarrels between couples.
viii. Challenges
of Cohabitation and Civil Legislation: Other such perceived
situations of conflict are, the practice of cohabitation before marriage or
simply cohabitating with no intention of a legally binding relationship. There
is also the practice of civil legislation which compromises marriage and the
family as well as the danger of secularization which makes little or no reference
to God, thus diminishing the faith (Synod of Bishops, 2014, no. 6).
ix. “Illegitimate”
Children: The growing culture of giving birth to children outside wedlock, occasioned by
single parenthood, creates a situation where many of these kids grow up with
just one of their parents in a blended or reconstituted family. This is another
area of conflict in marriages.
x. Increasing
Cases of Divorce: The increasing
cases of divorce mostly because of economic reasons are a cankerworm.
Oftentimes, children are a source of contention between parents and become the
real victims of family break-ups (Synod of Bishops, 2014, no. 7).
xi. Discrimination
and violence Against Women and Children: In many places today, women and children (often female) are a source of
discrimination, violence and exploitation. In such places, the gift of
motherhood is often penalized rather than esteemed. Within families, there is
widespread practice of genital mutilation in some cultures. The sexual
exploitation of children is still another scandalous and perverse reality in
present-day society.
xii. Increasing
Cases of Terrorism and Organised Crime: Societies experiencing violence due to war, terrorism or the presence of organized crime
are witnessing the deterioration of the family, above all in big cities, where,
in their peripheral areas, the so-called phenomenon of “street-children” is on
the rise. Furthermore, migration is another sign of the times to be faced and
understood in terms of its onerous consequences to family life (Synod of Bishops,
2014, no. 7). The sad reality of over 3,000,000
Internally Displaced People (IDPs), in North-Eastern Nigeria who have been
driven out of their homes by the Boko Haram insurgency and are living in camps
with little or no food, water, medical care, clothing and shelter comes to mind
here.
