Families gather at Christmas. And this weekend the Sunday after the feast is devoted to recalling the family in Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is an opportunity for appreciating what our families give us. For Christians the family is the original source of social life. But we should be wary of facile sentimentality. Our homes are filled with memories. Many are joyful, but some are not.
The old saying tells us that charity begins at home. That may be true, but not because the family setting is always one where life is easy and conflict unknown. On the contrary, it is much easier to star as the perfect guest when staying for a few days with friends. We can hold our breath and be charming and considerate for a weekend.
The family as a school for loving is a much tougher place.
Excellent piece; very demanding of family life as the school of charity. Grace is not just a five-letter word, thank God! Thank you for posting this.