Eight is Enough

Just watched the opening theme song from Eight is Enough on youtube. That was such a great show. I always identified with the show because I was also one of eight children. It was a great family drama/comedy that really highlighted relationships especially between brothers and sisters. They don't make shows like this any more.

As Holy Week approaches, it is a good time for us to reflect on the role family has in our own lives. Families are the domestic church, and it is here that we first hear about God, about Jesus Christ, and about sacrifice. At least, ideally, this is where we first hear about these things.

Sacrifice is very important in a family. We are born and immediately become selfish. We cry when we are hungry, when we are tired, when we need to be changed and when we just want to be held. As we go through the early years, we are still self-centered and want things to be our way. But our parents are responsible for teaching us that as a member of a family, you have certain chores and responsibilities that you are given. It is also through their love for you that they teach you discipline so that you can see that other people and other people's feelings, do matter. Sacrifice is when you realize that you are not to always get things your own way but that you are willing to take a back seat and allow someone else to have their way.

When sacrificing entails fasting and almsgiving as well, you learn to think of others while at the same time you deprive yourself of a good. It is here, when done with the right intention, that you grow in relationship with our loving God as well as learning to love others in our lives. And this is the message of the Gospel: Love God with your whole, heart, mind, soul and body and to love your neighbor as yourself.