A sociologist once said, if you want to destroy a nation, no need for war, famine, pestilence, economic sabotage, or pandemic. Just destroy the most basic of all social units, which is the family.

• This social unit is where we are supposed to love and be loved
• This is where we learn about our faith and good values
• This is where we learn to socialize and build our esteem

In other words, it is most essential to keep the family intact.

But the reality is how do you keep a family intact when we are all composed of different personalities, cultures, priorities, and values? Further, people come and people go in our family.

Three of the many ways for peace in the family to prevail:

1. First, as in the Gospel, Jesus says always to forgive. It is most difficult when it is the family member who hurts you. Family is where we are most vulnerable, family is the one whom we love and trust… and then the betrayal. Yes, it is most difficult but most important especially, to spare the next generation of the fighting.
2. Second, honor the memory of our father and mother. The Bible tells us that God blesses the family who never forgets their parents in their old age and when they are sick will be blessed. Further, honoring our father and mother teaches us not only respect but most importantly, showing honor to our parents demonstrates the love of Christ. It creates strong bonds in our families, can heal broken relationships, and helps us grow as Christians.
3. Third, prayer. Fr. Peyton said that the family that prays together stays together. Also, the prayers of the parent for their children are very powerful because of authority. How many times we have been blessed, guided, and spared from trouble because of the powerful intercession of our mother.

Lastly, there are two beautiful prayers that I recommend when the same type of sin and tragedy happens every generation – Breaking of the Generational Curses and Healing the Family Tree.

In this Mass, we pray for our family, whatever our story is. The story of each family is very dynamic: there are good times and bad times; there are times of glory and times of shame; there are helloes and goodbyes, there are saints and sinners.

As we continue our journey called life we remember the words of St. Augustine: “Peace in the society depends on peace in the family”. Hence, forgiveness; honoring our father and mother, and holding on to the power of prayer.