This weekend marked the first time in weeks that many of us have been able to visit family members not living with us. There were beautiful scenes of grandparents and grandchildren being reunited after prolonged and enforced absences.
While hugging may still be out, the Gospel reading gives a powerful and timely reflection on the invisible bonds that unite us as one family that go beyond the physical.
Reflecting on the early Church’s experience of not having Jesus with them anymore, similar to our recent experiences of absence, the Gospel confidently assures us:
“I will not leave you orphans. I will come back to you.”
That the
“Spirit of Truth is with you and in you”
and it is the power of this Spirit that enables us to overcome the difficulties and challenges of our daily lives together, and to live life to the full. But we don’t do it alone. We do it as a family.
This week we celebrate Family Week and acknowledge the work that is done to support families in need through the Catholic social service agency, CatholicCare.
For those who are struggling in their family relationships, CatholicCare brings to life and makes real the assurance of the Gospel that God, the loving Father, is in us all, giving us life beyond our unique daily relationship struggles.
