The Missionary Decade. Day Eight — “Christian family is a domestic Church”

Friday, May 17

A reading of the Holy Gospel according to John 17:18–24

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctifed in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Reflections on the eighth day of the Decade. The parish is a spiritual home, the Father’s house, where a person meets God, where the Holy Mysteries are performed, where people share joy and sorrow with each other, where they offer support to those who are looking for answers to life’s questions, where they help to heal the wounds caused by life trials and tragedies. The parish is a place where people can learn the love and kindness of God through the open heart and good deeds of Christ’s disciples. Who needs our help the most? The homeless, the poor, orphans, widows, people with special needs, singles, families in which men or women are at war or have died, etc. These are our neighbors who live near us. It’s hard for us to understand them if we’ve never been through what they’re going through. We are lucky to have family and friends who can help us in times of need. But let’s imagine for a second that in one moment the whole world turned away from us. Then it seems to us that God himself has forgotten about us. It is in such a most difficult situation that a kind word and a gesture of kindness from a true Christian are invaluable. If we really intend to enter the Kingdom of Heaven together with Christ, then let us take close to our hearts the words of Jesus Christ: “For whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me” (Mt. 25, 40).

Reflections in time of war. A strong marital relationship is based on love, affection, mutual understanding, trust and care for each other. At the same time, it is extremely important for a good Christian family to pray together, eat together, spend leisure time together, etc. We observe how during the war our families experience special difficulties due to the loss of relatives and friends, the departure of women with children abroad, the participation of men and women in military operations at the front, etc. Many families are falling apart. Many young people are afraid to start families, and those who are already married are sometimes afraid to have children because of uncertainty about the future. People feel exhausted both morally and spiritually. This is accompanied by financial difficulties, low salaries, and sometimes layoffs. And who feels this crisis and uncertainty the most? These are our children, because their hearts feel everything that is happening around them with special sharpness and fragility. And parents feel that they are not prepared to raise their children wisely and in God’s way and to explain to them what war is and how to behave during this time. How important it is for our families to be together, to restore good relations between those close to us, to remember that every family, like a monastic community, is a reflection of the community of the Holy Trinity, the Father-Son-Holy Spirit, and the support of the people. Without strong Ukrainian Christian families, it is difficult to imagine a strong and prosperous Ukraine. Christ’s prayer for all Christians is very similar to the prayer for unity in our families: “that all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17, 21).

Prayer intention: We pray that every family during the war will not lose the courage to communicate with each other about their experiences and fears, hopes and hopes.

Prayer. “For You, Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of those without hope, the Savior of the storm-tossed, the haven of those at sea, the physician of the sick. Be all things to all people, O You Who know each one and their request, each household and its needs. Deliver, O Lord, this city (this village, this monastery), and every city, town and village, from famine, plague, earthquake, flood fire, sword, foreign invasion and civil war” (Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great).

Mission task: See if you sometimes have things, clothes, books, stationery, etc. in your house that you could share with needy families. Take these items and take them to the nearest family or military aid collection center.

See also

May 19 The Missionary Decade. Day Ten — Sunday of Pentecost — “Our mission: to carry the Holy Spirit to others” May 18 The Missionary Decade. Day Nine — “Tend my sheep” May 16 The Missionary Decade. Day Seven — “Community of prayer and mercy”