Put On

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Put On

8 Virtuous Cloaks

Dwell  Imitate  Honor

Do Everything in His Name

Love

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Colossians 3:12 to 14

Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Accept one another and forgive one another.

When you have an issue with someone, forgive them since Jesus has forgiven you. 

Above all of these virtues put on love. 

It is the bond of perfection.

Reflection

How can your family become a Holy Family?

We can be very busy and get very worried about the clothes we will put on. We want to make sure that we look great. Everything has to fit exactly.

The author of Colossians is encouraging us to put on something else. The eight virtues that are listed describe paths to creating strong families. If we wear these cloaks, our families will flourish.

We will accept and honor each person in our family. Nobody will be left out. All will feel that they have an important role to play. 

We will dwell together with a bond of unity. Compassion and kindness will flourish in our homes. We will be humble with no need to draw attention to ourselves at the expense of others.

We will imitate the gentleness of Jesus in our sensitivity to the others in our family. We will strive to honor each person as we would honor Jesus because we realize that Jesus dwells in each person.

We will develop a habit of forgiveness because this is the great GIFT that Jesus has given us. He came to offer us His forgiveness so that we would build peace and harmony in our families and then share that peace in our communities.

We will do everything in the name of Jesus because Jesus has taught us how to live with others. He has asked us to refrain from judging others so that we will not be judged. 

Instead, Jesus asks us to put on love. It is love that really makes our families holy families.

We become willing to overlook faults and hurts and to look into the hearts of our family members. Our families then become rich in love, and we start to embrace each one as Jesus has embraced us.

As we work each day to put on these virtues, our families grow closer and our lives flourish. Now is our time to step into the dressing room and try on our new cloaks!

1. What virtues do you feel are important to make your family a Holy Family?

2. Why do some people feel left out of their family?

3. How do you practice forgiveness in your family?

4. Is Jesus the center of your family?

5. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)