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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “born again child of God” To be born again means to experience regeneration through one’s relationship with Jesus. The theme made reference to one of Jesus’ disciples whom Jesus made a son to take care of His mother while He was away. The disciple had already become a child of God through His relationship with Jesus, therefore, has been given the role to be responsible for Mary, the mother of Jesus who has also become the mother of the disciple.

Jesus’ crucifixion was an agonising moment for his mother. His mother was with him every step of the way to the cross. She felt lonely and traumatised. Jesus ensured that his mother was comforted and taken care of in His absence through a born-again child of God who was the disciple he loved. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-27) Jesus even in His most challenging moments teaches us the importance of family. Jesus did not neglect his mother but made provision for her safety. Our parents and for that matter, the family is a gift from God to humanity. The family is the basic unit of emotional, physical and financial support. Just as Jesus tasked the disciple with the responsibility of taking care of His mother, we are also to remember and take care of our parents and family, not only in times of abundance but also in times of agony and challenges. We must develop the habit of reconnecting with family, especially, in our busy world. Children must check on their parents even as parents also do the same for their children. In the Twenty-first century, rural-urban migration coupled with the demands of work has made it difficult for aged parents to receive the needed emotional support and attention from their children. Some children do well to send remittances but hardly do they make time to be physically present with their parents or even call them often on the phone. We have become so busy with the demands of work and other social responsibilities to the extent that our parents and loved ones are neglected. Jesus, while suffering on the cross and at the point of death still remembered the mother and made provision for her. How often do we care for our aged parents or relatives? How often do we make time in our challenges or busy schedules to demonstrate our love and care for them? Family is important and must be given the necessary attention. Let us remember our parents and honour them while they are still alive. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12) We are again admonished in Proverbs 23:22 to “Listen to your father, who gave you life and do not despise your mother when she is old. Moses reminds us about the seriousness of neglecting one’s parent when he wrote that “Cursed is anyone who dishonours their father or mother.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” (Deuteronomy 27:16). As born-again children of God, Let us be consistent in reconnecting and reconciling with our parents and other family members for it please the Lord. Jesus is our perfect example of showing love and care for the family.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, help us to follow your perfect example of familial love and care. May our faith be made complete through the care we give to our parents and for that matter the family we belong to even in our challenging moments as born-again children of God. Amen