LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY: A gift of self
By Mark Griffin, Director of the Office of Life, Marriage & Family
It should be the aim of every Christian family to live an authentic, intentional, Christian family life. It sounds simple, but what does this mean?
A Christian life is a life of service. We, as individuals, are each called to make a gift of ourselves to everyone we encounter. Within the family dynamic, this should be a daily occurrence. A family is thriving when each individual pours themselves out in service of the others.
The result of this outpouring of love in service will result in a vibrant family life, in the image of the Trinity. For all eternity, God the Father is pouring Himself out in love of God the Son, who is for all eternity reciprocating.
This love is so powerful that it is overflowing into a third person; the Holy Spirit. This community of love – the Trinity – overflows into the whole world and this is the sort of love we are called to live within our family.
Pope John Paul II once said, “As the Family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live”. It’s fair to say that the world is not currently in great shape. Have we ever considered what our own family is contributing to the current situation? If we, in our families, are simply going through the motions, are we changing the world for the better?
It can sometimes seem difficult to carve out quality time to spend with our loved ones, due to the increasing pressure of external demands. However, as we approach the end of another year, many of us will have a ‘not-to-be-missed’ opportunity to make up for some of that lost time.
Work schedules can be a little more relaxed as holidays draw near, meaning now is a good time to be considering how we can make the most of the upcoming change of pace.
Traditionally, the approaching Christmas season is a season of giving. Carefully considered material gifts can be thoughtful and meaningful and can bless the life of the recipient. They can bring great joy and brighten the spirit. However, as we approach this joyous season, let us also reflect on the impact of a gift of self.
When we make a gift of self, we are communicating to the intended recipient that they are so important to us that we offer not only a gift from our possessions, but a part of ourselves. This kind of gift is not only one that can be given at Christmas, but it should be offered regularly throughout the whole year. When we do this, we are not only brightening the life of a loved one, but we are loving in a way that images the love of the Holy Trinity.