Families and the Culture of Life - Part 1

At the center of most, if not all, life issues lies the family. The family is the building block of society, and in today’s world, we see the family under attack on many different levels.

To live a culture of life, we must protect and uplift the family. You can help stop the breakdown of the family in your own families. Take time to talk with your family. Often, with busy lives, families are divided up in many different directions. Busy schedules may mean that you are rarely all together and free to do things at the same time. Make time in your schedules to be together. Try to have at least one time a week where you can spend quality time with your family. Visit with each other. You don’t have to discuss anything important. Rest together. Play games. Have a meal together (perhaps one not in front of the television). If you don’t live at home, take the time to call your family and visit. At least let your family know that you love them.

Every family is different, and I’m not trying to create a concrete mold that everyone should follow exactly. Not every family is at the same place. Maybe its completely unreasonable to expect your family to start having a family game night. Maybe all you can ask for is a time where all your family is together. Or maybe that isn’t even possible. Maybe all you can manage is to spend time with every member of your family individually.

The point is that wherever you are and your family is, you should push yourself to take steps to bring your family closer together. Make the courageous act to love, to reach out, perhaps, to that family member that feels isolated from the rest of the family. Perhaps try to make peace with that family member you don’t get along with. Try to let go of just one resentment.

Maybe you think that your family is already fine, already united. Great. Take steps to come even closer. How is your family’s spiritual life? Do you pray together? Perhaps you can reach out to others as a family.

If the family is the building block of society, then to save society we must save the family.