dysfunctional families
"When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him." —Genesis 37:4
Joseph came from a dysfunctional family. His father had two wives plus had sired children by two other women. Joseph's ten brothers hated him because his father favored him (Gn 37:4). They decided to murder Joseph but instead sold him into slavery. Joseph's family was dysfunctional.
We all likewise come from a dysfunctional family. Even if our immediate families are functional, our worldwide human family is dysfunctional. From the moment of conception (Ps 51:7), we are marred, fallen, and warped by the original sin of dysfunctional humanity. We are doomed unless someone can change our family and our nature.
Jesus alone can save us from the dysfunctional human family and our fallen nature. By faith in Him we can be baptized and enter the family of God. However, dysfunctional people have a hard time trusting anyone. They have the tendency to reject other people. Look at what Joseph's brothers did to him. We will be tempted even to reject Jesus, the only One Who can deal with our dysfunction (see Mt 21:42). However, the Lord is giving us the grace to trust Him despite our dysfunction. Accept His grace, salvation, and healing.
Prayer: Father, I accept Your Son Jesus as my only Hope, Savior, and Lord (Acts 4:12).
Promise: "It was the Lord Who did this and we find it marvelous to behold." —Mt 21:42
Praise: St. Frances of Rome and her in-laws functioned well as a family by bringing relief to the poor and ill of Rome.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Christian Family on audio AV 7B-1 or video V-7B.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 2006 & September 18, 2006
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