Everyday family life is filled with joys, sorrows, laughter, pain, unexpected surprises, illnesses, excitement, anxiety, but perhaps most of all, joy.

I have often stated in Family Ministry presentations that I firmly believe that family life is messy; sacred and messy all at once: messy because life in a family is rarely nice and neat, and sacred because God created us in His image and created us to live in relationship. His presence abides in the everyday “sacred and ordinary” events of quotidian living.

Pope Francis reminds us to keep moving forward regardless of what challenges may arise in our family life. He states in # 57 of Amoris Laetitia “I thank God that many families, which are far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfill their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way. The Synod’s reflections show us that there is no stereotype of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems.”

During these two years of this Coronavirus Pandemic, I have been more keenly conscious of how important it is for me to be more aware of the sacredness of every moment in our family life. Presently we have the joy of having our daughter and two grandsons in our home for a few more months before they move out of state with our son-in-law. It is truly a joy to share life with them and often equally a challenge to not lose patience or to feel physically or emotionally tired or worried. Loving our family members means we face everyday trials together as well as celebrate “first steps” as we are currently doing with Elias Marcos or rejoice in anticipating Elian’s reception of his First Communion in a few months. Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2)

This idea of family life being “messy” seems to resonate with many. Mike and Alicia Hernon have a website, podcast, and resources entitled “The Messy Family Project”. Author and motivational speaker Matthew Kelly from the well known “Dynamic Catholic” has published a book and journal entitled “Life is Messy.” He titles one of the sections “Cherish the Ordinary” and states in the Journal, “Learn to cherish the ordinary. Make a list of twenty ordinary things that bring you joy when you experience them consciously. Allow the ordinary to heal you.” The following are ten of my list of twenty: (1) fixing meals for family, (2) morning walks/ praying rosary with Mauri, (3) playing with and disciplining my grandsons, (4) sharing coffee with a freind, (5) talking to my siblings, (6) walking the Basilica grounds, (7) kitchen time with my daughter Liana, (8) car dates and drives with Mauri, (9) playing my trumpet, (10) herb garden and backyard time.

Our life is meant to be a daily praise and thanksgiving to God for everything belongs to Him: our life, our family, our work, our finances, our every breath. My lips shall shout for joy as I sing your praises; My soul also, which you have redeemed. (Psalm 71:23)

In the book “Happiness in This Life: A Passionate Meditation on Earthly Existence, Pope Francis reflects “joy is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It is the yeast that leavens society as a whole.”

May we, as God’s children, give glory and honor to God by continuing to strive to savor each moment in our family life with joy.