Love Letters

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

— Ex 20:12 (NRSV)

News Flash

THE BIG HOUSE, BOSTON USA (CR News) — The nuns have been writing “love letters” to their families back home, and an insider recently revealed that tears flow when those letters go to their appointed destinations. It’s not that the families back home are sad that their daughters and sisters are nuns. They’re not! But still, they love their girls and miss them.

So, a “love letter” from the convent or monastery is always a great gift — especially as the holiday season approaches again.

Let’s talk.

Background

The Bible tells us that it is essential for all believers to honor their fathers and their mothers. There are no conditions attached to that command. Just do it!

Much like forgiveness, honoring your parents is something you do for your own spiritual benefit. Of course, very few of us have had perfect parents. And those of us who are parents now ourselves, we were probably not perfect either. We are flawed people. We have made mistakes. That’s how life here on this earth is.

But we must not make the mistake of not honoring our parents. God used those two people — man and woman — to give you life. He ordered their footsteps to create certain circumstances that still impact your life today. And He will continue to use those circumstances to bring you into His kingdom some day.

If you love God, honor the parents He gave you. If they are still alive, look after their needs. If they are deceased, pray for their souls. Help them in any way you can.

The Nitty Gritty

Sr. Albertina’s mother is getting very old. She lives in a retirement community not far from where Sr. Albertina grew up. And her father has been gone for nearly a decade. So Sr. Albertina is careful to write often and to call and talk regularly.

Her mother particularly enjoys it when one of the other nuns, like Sr. Charity, tells Sr. Albertina to share some “nun love” with her mother. Sr. Albertina’s mother finds peace in knowing that her daughter is well and is serving the Lord happily in a community of love.

Having a religious vocation is a real blessing, but it comes with some sacrifice. The joy of love, however, always outweighs the difficulties.

Honor your mother and your father. Sr. Albertina understands that it is a command from God, but she also knows it makes good “nun sense!”

Our Story

That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.

Your Next Move …

So what will you do about the message in this little story? Maybe you’ll call your parents if they’re still with us. If not, maybe you’ll visit their graves soon and pray for the repose of their souls.

And thank God that He picked them so carefully and gave them to you. Your time and your prayers are like a love letter to your parents (wherever they are, heaven or earth). It’s also a love letter to God, the One who gave you them.

Life can be like a spiritual chess game sometimes. The next move is yours. What are you going to do?

Vivat Jesus!