For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17 NABRE)
Many of us struggle with family issues. All of us, probably. Let's stop and rethink how we define family. Certainly blood relates us. No doubt, committed love relates us. But in today's passage we see something greater happening. We see the divine bond. We see family defined by God's Spirit within us!
Just like Jesus, we are children of God. We are related. Our spiritual family means we are joint heirs with Christ to the promise of eternal life.
If you've ever felt alone or lonely. If you've ever struggled with tensions at home. If you've ever wanted the deep love among family that you imagined was possible, turn to God as Jesus did. Call on him because he is our Father. Listen for the quiet voice of his Spirit as he reassures you that you are loved and protected and blessed, even in the most difficult of life's circumstances. And when you least understand why bad things happen, offer up your suffering with the suffering of Jesus on his cross, as a prayer for others who have felt so much pain, anger, and fear that they turn away from the greatest of family gifts.
Today, I will listen for the whisper of the Holy Spirit who leads me as a child of God.
Saint Peter of Alcantara, sixteenth-century Church reformer whose reform began with yourself, pray for us.
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