Learning to Follow Jesus: Family Reflection Video

By: Father David Marcham on May 28th, 2021

Learning to Follow Jesus: Family Reflection Video

Healing the family | Return to the Church

In the United States, we have a tradition of visiting our deceased relatives and friends each May 31^st, on which we celebrate Memorial Day. As we stand at their graves, there are those we knew well who touched our lives and those we know only by name and family stories. For each of them, we stand and say a prayer of thanksgiving to God and pray that they are joyfully in Heaven.

Today’s first reading from Sirach strikes a chord as we remember our deceased loved ones. Sirach touches on the passage of time and our limitations for remembering. But he reassures us that what we have been given through their efforts, faith, and our heritage continue in us. He ends with this message of hope by saying: “Through God’s covenant with them their family endures … and their glory will never be blotted out.”

Given our place in this lineage, the question is: “What does God expect from us?” It’s a good question to ponder as we seek to serve God, our families, and society.

In the gospel, we find answers to living a fruitful life. We heard how Jesus enters the temple and sees practices He didn’t like. Upon leaving, He must have been reflective. The next day He returns with a decisive plan. That’s lesson number one—observe, reflect, pray, and act decisively.

Then there’s Jesus’ hunger, which leads him to approach the fig tree. Some believe that Jesus expected to see some green figs but instead only saw leaves—all show and no substance. There’s another lesson—it’s fine to have a good presentation, but our lives need to produce what is good.

The next lesson has to do with the temple money changers and merchants. They each played a role in helping people offer sacrifices as part of worship, but we’re left to ask ourselves, do I focus too much on work to the detriment of my prayer life and worship of God at Mass?

The final lesson may be the hardest; it’s about forgiveness. Jesus tells the disciples that when we pray, “forgive anyone whom you have a grievance …” At times this may seem impossible because the hurts can become ingrained. We can even ask, “Jesus, do you know what they’ve done?” These questions can become part of our prayer too. And, in the silence, we can remember that Jesus has gone before us and asks us to follow Him.

My brothers and sisters, the legacy we leave will depend upon our seeking to follow Jesus--by pondering and praying honestly, listening patiently, and seeking to forgive others as Jesus has forgiven us.

May God bless you and your families this holy day!

Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)

About Father David Marcham

Father David S. Marcham is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and serves as Vice Postulator and Guild Director of the Cause for Canonization of Venerable Patrick Peyton. Before entering St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, he worked for eleven years as a physical therapist in Boston-area hospitals. Ordained in 2005, Father David was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Franklin, Massachusetts. His involvement in Father Peyton’s Cause began in 2007, when he assisted Father George Lucas, C.S.C., in advancing the Cause for Canonization. Appointed Vice Postulator in 2009, Father David oversees the progress of the Cause, directs the Guild, and promotes devotion to Father Peyton’s legacy of family prayer.