The family is an image of the Blessed Trinity

In my last offering I spoke about mothers.  This time I would like to talk about families (next time I will talk about fathers).
Sociologists will typically identify the family as the building block of society.  It is the most intimate and immediate place of formation.  The importance of family from a sociological perspective cannot be overstated.
However, I would like to dedicate this space to what is often a hidden dimension of the family. Namely, that the family is in fact an image, one could say an icon, of the Blessed Trinity.  When we go back to the story of our origin in Genesis, we are reminded that in chapter one God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”  So, each of us is made in the image and likeness of God who is a communion of persons.  That image is most obviously on display in families.  A man, a woman, and a child (or children) look a lot like the Trinity, which is three persons in one divine nature.
God could have made us without gender.  He could have created us asexual, and we would have reproduced asexually.  Can you imagine what percentage of sin would have been avoided if we were asexual?  So, why did God make us this way?  Because it is precisely in the conjugal embrace that we see the image of the Trinity most clearly.  There we see the self-giving love of one spouse to another and this union can lead to new life, much like God’s love overflows into His creation.
This being the case, we should not be surprised that our enemy hates and attacks families.  Our enemy sees the image of the Trinity when gazing at a family, even if we tend to miss that reality.  If we want to bring peace and harmony to this world, we must restore families to their proper role and dignity.
Father, please bless our families with fortitude and patience as they navigate busy schedules, financial concerns, illness, aging parents, and so many other concerns.  Heal the wounds that family members have inflicted on one another and bring reconciliation.  We ask this in the name of your Son, and in the power of Holy Spirit.  Amen!
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office of Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected]. For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org