Yesterday I had the privilege of listening to a Catholic couple who have decided recently to become members of a new religious community, the “Brothers and Sisters of Charity,” based in a small town outside Little Rock, Arkansas. Its founder, John Michael Talbot, had a vision of forming a Christian community that was open to families as well as priests and consecrated religious. They and their six children, ages six to eighteen, join others in the community for a three day retreat at the monastery in Arkansas. Their children, far from being “turned off” by the experience, made it clear to their parents that they wanted to go back the following year.
When I visited their home, the family did not come off as the “overly religious” type, but were clearly centered in the Lordship of Jesus. There was an obvious flow of love within the family, as well as a respect of the children for their parents and for those who were visitors.
This example of family stands out in contrast to stories of family disintegration that I hear almost daily. They are making a concerted effort to maintain a strong, Christ-centered family in a world that seems to be tearing families apart.
We remember what Pope John Paul II told us—that Satan, in his efforts destroy the Church, is centering his all-out attack on our families.
Today we read about the amazing events that took place with Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:22-34).
“The crowd in Philippi joined in the attack on Paul and Silas, and the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison and instructed the jailer to guard the securely.”
Then God decided to act.
“About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, there was such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open and the chains all were pulled loose.”
Knowing the severe consequences of letting prisoners escape the jailer drew his sword and about to kill himself. Paul, seeing this,
“…shouted with a loud voice, ‘Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.’”
Realizing that God himself had set Paul and Silas free, the jailer fell to his needs in repentance.
“Sirs, what I must I do to be saved?”
What followed is one of the most “happily ever after stories” I’ve ever read. The repentant jailer took Paul and Silas into his own home and bathed their bloodied wounds.
“…then he and all his family were baptized at once.”
Imagine that! What began in violence, ended in a glorious victory for God. After accepting Jesus into his heart, the man called his entire family together. One by one they stepped forward and received the saving waters of baptism. We note that it was not just the adults, but all the children too! We notice how the faith-act of one man opened the door for his entire household to enter the Kingdom of God.
Let us never underestimate the power of our faith-based decisions. Each time we make a decision for Jesus, a wave of grace is released into each member of our families. Maybe the jailer’s wife and teenagers weren’t as enthusiastic about Jesus as he was at that moment. In time, however, they were all transformed by grace. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear how God worked in and through that family in the days that followed?
“Your right hand saves me” (Ps 138:7).
