Project Description
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 / Colossians 3:12-17 / Luke 2:22-40
When I was in the seminary in Chicago,
I cut out a “Letter to the Editor”
in the Chicago Sun-Times
that I’ve had with me ever since.
I’ve used it a few times before
because I think it’s so insightful.
The letter goes like this:
What’s the world’s toughest job?
President?
Pope?
NFL quarterback?
Not enough close!
By all standards known to our species,
that title goes to parents.
It’s the only high-demand job
for which there’s no preparation,
no training,
no user’s guide.
Despite all this,
the work involves the most complex
and precious of commodities—
another human life.
This task actually begins with conception
(or adoption),
and ends only with the grave.
Especially if you’re the mother.
From morning sickness to 2 AM feedings,
to getting them out the door for school,
to helping them down the wedding aisle,
to the last breath you take,
your assignment is the
dazzlingly impossible one of
molding this physiological gift
into a full-dimensional person.
And if truth be known,
all too often, against their will.
Children are joy and they’re sorrow;
mountains of hope and valleys of fear;
always there when they need you
and not always there when you need them.
Yet, that was how it was with us,
so why not with ours?
At least two truths become apparent:
first, you have touched God
by sharing in the breath-taking act of creation.
Second, you have understood God
by experiencing how bottomless love and
unending forgiveness work.
So while the job is tough
with only long-deferred rewards,
it still remains exquisitely exhilarating.
Perhaps that helps explains why
it’s been around for so long and
will be around for a long time to come.
Signed,
Jack Spartafora
Park Ridge, IL
Some of my very best friends are parents!
I knew them before they were parents. . .
and I have known after they become parents. . .
So I’ve seen what they go through. . . .
I’ve seen the great sacrifices
and the enormous difficulties. . .
I’ve seen the tremendous joys.
I think that’s why I love this letter so much.
As much as I can know,
I know it to be true.
The world’s toughest job. . .
is being a parent.
The most insightful lines in
the letter I think are these:
At least two truths become apparent:
First, you have touched God
by sharing in the breath-taking act of creation.
Second, you have understood God
by experiencing how bottomless love and
unending forgiveness work.
These lines are so insightful
because Mr. Jack Spartafora
from Park Ridge, Illinois
has made the connection
between family life. . .
between parenthood. . .
and the Divine!!!!
That the family is
part of God’s plan
and an extended act of God’s
breath-taking act of creation. . .
that the family is integral
to God’s plan for humanity
as the basic structure of human society. . . .
where we are formed!!!
And where all the members can flourish
in safety and security.
And does what does require?
It requires attributes of God. . .
Divine attributes like bottomless love. . .
and unending forgiveness.
Divine attributes like we heard in Colossians:
Compassion
And kindness
And humility
And gentleness,
and patience.
Bearing with one another. . .
Even with all the stress and frustration. . .
Even when the stakes are so high.
There are two major points
I want to make that I hope
puts this Solemnity of the Holy Family
in its proper perspective for us. . .
living 2000 years after the Holy Family lived.
First, is something that Jesus taught
about His own family in his earthly ministry.
Jesus was speaking to a group of His disciples
when someone came up and told
Him that His mother and brothers were
outside and asking to speak to Him (Matt 12:46).
And Jesus used this moment as a moment to teach.
He said,
“Who is my mother?
Who are my brothers?”
And stretching out his hand
toward his disciples,
he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my
heavenly Father is my brother,
and sister,
and mother.”
You see,
Jesus makes us part of his extended family.
Jesus makes us part of the Holy Family.
And when we think about it. . .
Wow is that ever significant!!!
We are part of the Holy Family. . .
So the success of our families is
the business the Holy Family.
Let me repeat that. . .
The success of our families is
the business of the Holy Family. . .
We’re all kin. . .
Us and the Holy Family
That’s the first point.
The second point is one
I learned toward the end of my time in seminary.
There was an old,
wise priest who had seen it all.
He had seen all the
ups and downs of priesthood. . .
and he had seen all the
ups and downs that we humans go through
as individuals. . .
and as families.
And as I was about to ordained. . .
he gave me a piece of advice that
I have found to be
the best piece of advice I have ever received . . .
ever.
He said Steve,
“You have to stay close to the fire.”
“You have to stay close to the fire.”
What this wise priest was telling me
is something basic to our faith. . . .
It’s all about grace!
It’s all about grace!
We’re never in this alone!
The grace. . .
The help of God. . .
The love of God
is always there for us. . .
All we have to do is turn toward God. . .
and accept it.
All we have to do is stay close to the fire.
Stay close to our extended family. . .
Stay close to THE Holy Family.
Stay close to Jesus,
and receive the grace we need to
live out those divine attributes
that are so key to family life. . .
like bottomless love. . .
and unending forgiveness.
To stay close to the Blessed Mother
as she intercedes for us and our families. . .
that we can imitate her in her
total surrender to God’s grace.
that we can imitate her in her
total trust in God and her Son.
To stay close to Joseph,
as he intercedes for us and our families. . .
That we may imitate him
in having unshakable faith in God. . .
trusting that God can work through our fears. . .
and through our frailties. . .
and through our weaknesses.
So moms and dads. . .
you are not alone as you undertake
the most difficult job in the world.
You are not alone as you participate in
God’s breath-taking extended act creation
by raising a family.
It’s all connected to the Divine. . .
You’re part of an extended family. . .
The Holy Family. . .
Jesus. . .
Mary. . .
and Joseph’s family.
Stay close to the fire!!!
Holy Spirit 12/26-27/2020
