It is said that God writes straight with crooked lines. He certainly did with me! Nonetheless, He was preparing me all along. An Interesting Dream The Family as Ecclesia Domestica The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church. Pope John Paul II Familiaris Consortio, #21 1
A Call to Leadership Take my place in your families. Everyone who is head of a house must exercise the Episcopal office and see to the faith of his people Take care with all watchfulness for the salvation of the members of the household entrusted to you. St. Augustine There is a profound relationship that exists between the Church and the home. Some data from our generation. An Empty Temple The Loss of Vocation Total Fertility Rate (Children/Woman) 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1950 s 1960 s 1970 s 1980 s Mid 1990 s Today 80 60 40 20 Percentage Attending Weekly Church Percentage of Men Married by Age 30 90 80 70 60 1940 1944 1945 1949 1950 1954 1955 1959 1960 1964 1965 1969 10 7.5 5.0 2.5 0 Seminarians (Thousands) 2
A Fatherless House I am NOT dismayed. Percent of Children born Illegitimate 40 30 20 10 1965 0 1975 1985 1995 2000 2005 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 Priestless Parishes (Thousands) The Roman Empire was Christianized through the family. Such will be the case for the reevangelization of our modern world. The Importance of the Family The future of the world and of the Church passes through the family. Pope John Paul II Familiaris Consortio, #75 The Master Builder A c c o r d i n g t o t h e commission of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. 1 Corinthians 3:10 3
Another Interesting Dream Our task is straightforward. Last year we sought to transform ourselves into men after God s own heart. This year we seek to transform our homes as the foundation for the New Springtime. It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel. I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6 Seeks to unveil the mystery of the home and its relationship to the Church. Considers the Holy Family as the model and fulfillment of the authentic Christian family. Considers the Jewish foundation of the Holy Family. Reveals how each home is called to become holy and experience love, peace and joy as a foretaste of heaven. 4
Reveals the seven simple steps whereby every man can exercise leadership within his home. Develops beginning, intermediate and advanced stages for each of these seven steps. Develops initiatives to help men progress through the three stages of each step. Develops an incredible website to facilitate each man s spiritual journey. Mode Faith Reason The Three Wisdoms Type Mystical/Contemplative Theology Theology (Divine Revelation) Natural Knowledge (Science/Philosophy) We ve got a great year ahead of us. Every man needs to decide the sacrifice he is going to make so that this year s journey can bear fruit. Questions 1. In what ways do you exercise a spiritual leadership in your home? 2. In what ways does your home seem like a temple of the Lord? Next Week The Choice of Two Paths 5