Unity in Families

By Lisa Janusa

A sea captain needs to have a sextant to safely steer his ship through stormy seas. Today, all families, likewise, must have a reliable tool to navigate safely through family discord.

Every family will experience challenges to peace and unity. Unity in families should mirror the unity within the Holy Trinity.

In John 17:21-24, Jesus prays, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you are in me, father, and I am in you. And, may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them, and you are in me.  May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.  Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me, because you loved me even before the world began!”

I believe that God is calling each family to acknowledge and live their lives realizing that they are not standing alone. We live breathe and exist in God and, this way, we are connected to God and one another.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the closest creature to the Holy Trinity for she is daughter of God the father, spouse of the Holy Spirit and mother of the son.

“Star of the Sea” is an ancient title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. It came to be seen as allegorical of Mary’s role as “guiding star” on the way to Christ.

Perhaps, we can seek out this heavenly star to show us the way to true unity in our families?