The Journey 156

-

Read: Mathew 19:1-6

   What is the foundation of a nation?. I believe it rest on a strong family. Laura Kay S. Hymowitz, has written a wonderful article, which I believe is an eye opener in the Los Angeles Times dated 3rd June, titled “ The single-mom catastrophe "and how the demise of two parent families is creating  an economic disaster for the United States.  The single-mother concept started way back in the 1960s when Americans started to break the historical connection between marriage and childbearing, and in the process  turning the family concept as single motherhood and the fatherless family  as a  viable, and an alternative and also even welcome arrangement for children and for society. The reasons for this  shift were many factors that included the sexual revolution, a powerful strain of anti-marriage feminism and the sense of individualism that crept into every area of  the American life. Some of the western countries also came to conclusion, that it  is fine for the unmarried individuals to have kids. This was because what they had in mind was a substitute for marriage, but something that was similar, in creation of a stable arrangement where two partners, living together for a  long term, would raise their children together. But in the United States, the “lone motherhood" phenomena — women bringing up kids with no dad around was an American contextual issue. The single-mother revolution has been an economic catastrophe not only for women, but also for men and for the country. The effect of single parenting is very painful not only for mothers and fathers, but also for the children. Research have shown that the children of single mothers are twice likely to drop out of high school when compared to children growing up with both parents.  Even if the children graduate from school they are less likely to go to college. In such a contextual issues of single parenting, how do we understand the concept of transformation in our family life?  This week we are  meditating on the theme “ Transformation in our family life” based on Mathew 19: 1-6. As we discussed yesterday, this is one of the powerful exposition about marriage by Jesus Christ. In this passage we find, Jesus communicating to his hearers that marital relationship is all about two individuals, a male and female who makes a conscious decision to enter into family life with commitment to God and to each other. When an individual makes a commitment towards God as he and she enters into marital life, what the couples is affirming is  that they are ready to live a life of relationship, a life of fellowship and a life where both of them agree to live together in mutual harmony and intimacy. They also make a commitment to raise  the next generation with the help of the  grace and strength of God so that they grow in faith and in commitment to Jesus Christ. Family is an institution to be built by two partners committed to God and to each  other. There is nothing that can substitute in this world for the role played  by father and mother together in the building of the family and also in nurturing of our next generations.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more