Family Prayer

One day, eleven year-old Alvaro felt that his home’s ambience was very heavy because of a fight his parents had just had and, feeling sad, left home to walk aimlessly.

After a while, he noticed that he was close to his classmate Flavia’s house, with whom he got along very well. So, as he was tired of walking, he decided to go there.

Knocking at the door, his friend Flavia herself answered and she opened the door with a beautiful smile when she saw him:

- Alvaro, I'm glad you came! Come in, come play with me!

The boy went in, and asked her what she was doing, to which Flavia said:

- Honey, it is time for our Gospel at Home.

- Oh, Mom! But now I'm playing with my friend Alvaro!

And the boy, who did not want to cause a fight in the family, considered:

- Flavia, you can go attend the meeting and I will wait - the boy said, serenely.

More excited and looking at the boy, Flavia agreed. Then she had the idea that her friend would participate too and her mother agreed:

- Of course, darling. Plus, our meeting is fast. Come join us, Alvaro!

He accepted and they went into the living room where the family had gathered. To the boy, what they called the Gospel at Home was very good. They said an opening prayer which calmed him down; he no longer thought about his parents he had left at home fighting for some reason.

After the prayer, they read a passage from the Gospel, and talked about the topic, which reminded Alvaro of his parents, and they ended with another prayer.

When they finished the simple meeting, Alvaro was in a hurry to return home. Flavia complained because he said he would then continue playing, but he answered:

- Flavia, I know I promised to stay and finish the game but I remembered something important I have to do. We can continue the game some other time, okay?

Flavia agreed but was not very happy, and Alvaro took leave of her and her parents, asking:

- What is the book that was used today? I found it very interesting!

- It is the Gospel of Jesus, but with texts that explain better all He has given us. - And taking the book, she gave it to Alvaro to have a look - Does your family not know about it? - the lady asked.

- No, ma'am. Until today I did not know it. I found it very explanatory and interesting.

	Hearing that, the lady took the book and handed it to Alvaro: - Then I'll give it to you as a gift! We have more here at home. I hope your parents also like it! - Thanks for the book! Of course they'll like it, Aunt Marcia. Now I must go home. My parents do not know where I am! Alvaro said goodbye to everyone and left. When he got home, he noticed a heavy atmosphere between his
parents. He decidedly asked for their attention and suggested:

- Dad! Mom! What if we prayed together here at home? What do you think?

At first, his father tried to escape saying he had something urgent to do on the street. His mother showed more interest as she said:

- You're right, honey. When the family prays together, it stays together.

Hearing those words from his wife, the father agreed, provided that it would not take too long, to which the child replied that it would be quick. So Alvaro took them to the living room table, picked up the book he had gotten, and after saying a simple prayer, as he had seen done in Flavia's house, asked his mother to open the book which she did without argument.

Checking the text that had been opened at random, his father read the lesson and was moved. It was about "The Good Man" on Chapter 17. Given his parents' surprise at the text read, Alvaro asked them to expand on the subject.

His father, keeping his head down, said he felt unable to talk about it. The mother smiled and nodded to her husband, because she remembered that, until minutes before, they never fought. Then Alvaro spoke what he felt:

- Dad! Mom! I think this lesson is very clear. It says that each one of us must act as we see fit, according to the lessons of Jesus, without demanding anything from anyone. The responsibility lies with each person, whatever relationship we have. I understand that God, our Father, will consider that we are not "good men" yet, but making efforts, we will come to be one day. Well, that’s what I understood from the lesson.

The parents were moved with their son’s words and pledged not to fight anymore but instead talk about the things that they did not agree.

Happy for that first Gospel at home they did, Alvaro said the final prayer, elevating his heart and mind to the High Spheres and thanking Jesus for that new opportunity that came up for them to pray and do the Gospel as a family.

After the prayer they embraced because they understood how they should act from that day forward. And Alvaro, seeing his parent’s satisfaction and new peace at home, I felt happier and fulfilled. 

MEIMEI 

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 27/07/2015.)