Growing pains

It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities

Today’s first reading (Acts 15:28) is all about growing pains.   With the conversion of many Gentiles to the faith, the Church had begun to experience dramatic growth, and that growth caused some controversy among the apostles.   Because things had changed, they had to change as well, and not just in the way they led the Church.   They had to change their hearts to welcome people they had once considered unclean and cursed by God.

So the apostles took a step back to pray, talk among themselves, and listen to the Spirit.   In the end, they realized that God treated everyone equally, and so should they.   They decided that not all Jewish practices were essential, circumcision in particular.   All they asked was that Gentile believers refrain from some pagan practices that their Jewish brothers and sisters might find especially offensive.

Doesn’t this sound a lot like family life?   First-time moms and dads frequently approach parenting with great enthusiasm and high expectations, both for their children and for themselves.   They tend to be strict, holding to firm standards and clear lines about what is and isn’t permitted.   But as their family grows both in size and in age, parents experience their own growing pains.   They learn that some rules are still essential, but some aren’t.   They may even decide that some of their earlier parenting strategies have been unhelpful.

What growing pains is your family experiencing?   Maybe you’ve been used to praying before dinner, but everyone is scattered with different activities now.   Perhaps it would be better to sit together at the end of the day and pray just one decade of the Rosary.   Maybe some of your children are struggling, and reasoning with them isn’t helping.   Perhaps it’s time to increase your intercession and look for opportunities to tell stories about how God has helped you.

Whatever the changes are, know that you are not going through them alone.   The Holy Spirit is with you.   Just follow the apostles’ example.   Pray.   Listen carefully to each other and to the Spirit.   He can help you find the best way to reflect his love and mercy to each other.

Word Among Us