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3 September 2007
Part of a themed week on "Challenges in mission".
A new family - Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was talking to the people, his mother and brothers stood outside, trying to find a way to talk to him. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to talk to you." He answered, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his followers and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what my Father in heaven wants."
Moving to another country involves leaving family and friends behind. For many people this is the hardest part of the whole experience. That heart wrenching moment when we say goodbye to those we love the most.
These days with the internet, webcams and cheap calls the world has shrunk and distances do not seem as great. Yet still the lack of face to face contact is very difficult to cope with, especially at the beginning.
As time passes friendships are formed and we become part of a new family, a fresh community of people with whom we can share, pray, laugh and cry.
We all need people to accompany us on our journey through life. God has made us to be in relationship. Isolating ourselves from others is dangerous and can lead to loneliness, depression and a loss of faith.
When we commit our lives to God he does not ask us to leave our family and friends but welcomes us into a new family, the worldwide community of believers, the Church. Here we find the same issues, problems, joys and struggles that all families go through. However we are, or should be, united by love. Love for God and love for each other.
Jesus told us that the two greatest commandments are to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbour as yourself." Are you choosing to love others today? Love is a choice, a result of an act of the will, it isn't always easy. Or maybe you need to open up and receive love from others. This takes courage and humility. Whatever your situation, remember that you are part of God's family and he has placed people in your life for just such a time as this.
Father, thank you for the people you have placed in my life. Forgive me for the times that I have not loved as I am called to, or have not reached out to others but relied on myself. Please help me to love those around me. Please show me those in my life who love me too. Amen.
Written by Adam Pope, Volunteer Coordinator for Latin Link
Part of a themed week on "Challenges in mission".
A new family - Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was talking to the people, his mother and brothers stood outside, trying to find a way to talk to him. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to talk to you." He answered, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his followers and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what my Father in heaven wants."
Moving to another country involves leaving family and friends behind. For many people this is the hardest part of the whole experience. That heart wrenching moment when we say goodbye to those we love the most.
These days with the internet, webcams and cheap calls the world has shrunk and distances do not seem as great. Yet still the lack of face to face contact is very difficult to cope with, especially at the beginning.
As time passes friendships are formed and we become part of a new family, a fresh community of people with whom we can share, pray, laugh and cry.
We all need people to accompany us on our journey through life. God has made us to be in relationship. Isolating ourselves from others is dangerous and can lead to loneliness, depression and a loss of faith.
When we commit our lives to God he does not ask us to leave our family and friends but welcomes us into a new family, the worldwide community of believers, the Church. Here we find the same issues, problems, joys and struggles that all families go through. However we are, or should be, united by love. Love for God and love for each other.
Jesus told us that the two greatest commandments are to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbour as yourself." Are you choosing to love others today? Love is a choice, a result of an act of the will, it isn't always easy. Or maybe you need to open up and receive love from others. This takes courage and humility. Whatever your situation, remember that you are part of God's family and he has placed people in your life for just such a time as this.
Father, thank you for the people you have placed in my life. Forgive me for the times that I have not loved as I am called to, or have not reached out to others but relied on myself. Please help me to love those around me. Please show me those in my life who love me too. Amen.
Written by Adam Pope, Volunteer Coordinator for Latin Link
