Page 46 - HQ May June July 2020

The First Economy — The Economy of the Family ing usher in the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary. A Triumph that will come about through the
u
Home is where God gives us the most precious
of His gifts through the sacrament of Holy Matrimo- sanctification of our families, one home at a time. Holi-
ny: the gift of life. Ideally, the home should be a place ness in the home is living the economy of the family
of order; a place where parents live in harmony with and the correct hierarchy of values is important. In a
their children. The Holy Family — the first to live out Christian home the order of values should be:
the Gospel of Life — is the model to follow for a true God
economy of the family. Family
ut what does “economy of the family” mean? Work
The word “economy” comes from the Greek root
Boikonomos, which means home rule, or, man- Money.
agement of a household. My grandmother was proba- And NOT the inversion:
bly a perfect example of a true economy of the family,
considering her circumstances. And we might even Money
conclude that how she “managed her household” was Work, work, work, which only leads to materialism
close to supernatural. She made her home a loving Family, although ‘redefined’
and safe environment where God ruled; where life, the God (if there is time remaining).
culture of life, was cherished and promoted and where
each child, having been created in the image and like- Our Catholic Church affirms the dignity of every
ness of God, was welcomed. individual, but the Church teaches that it is the family
The present economic system under which we that is the building block of society — not the individ-
now live is, however, an inversion of this. It is an anti- ual, and not the grand society. That is why Satan is so
economy because it is anti-family. We hear talk of a determined to destroy this most precious institution of
movement toward a one world economy, or a global the family, which is so beloved by God.
government, and instead of the Gospel of Life, we see Holiness in the home consists of living according
all around us an economy of oppression and control, to God’s Divine Will. This is our true wealth. To live
resulting in a culture of death, as some strive to de- in the grace of God, in His sanctifying grace, is our
velop an economy that does not include God. greatest treasure. Saint Joseph can help in this; he
can be our guide for, after all, he is the patron of the
God has a greater plan Universal Church and the one commissioned to lead
Our Lady of Fatima promised that, “…in the end, us safely through times of tribulation. We need to call
my Immaculate Heart will triumph!” We live in a time on him.
of great tribulation, but it is also a time for the witness-
In the booklet of Our Lady of America, Saint Jo-
ing of great saints! If we look around us, we will see seph spoke to Sr. Mildred Neuzil,
them. I’m thinking about my three daughters-in-law
who have really stepped up to the plate during this “The imitation of the Holy Family, my child, of the
virtues we practiced in our little home at Nazareth is
the way for all souls to that peace which comes from
The present God alone and which none other can give” (3/19/1958
p.28).
economic system So, when the going gets tough, the tough get going

We are living in serious times, times of great tribu-
is an anti-economy lation for many. When a soldier goes off to war, he

because makes sure that he is well armed. So must we be “well
armed” for what lies ahead. Pope Francis asks that
during the month of May families bring back the beau-
it is anti-family. tiful custom of praying the Rosary together. Let us also
wear the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and
the Miraculous Medal, sacramentals recommended to
us by the Roman Catholic Church and by Our Blessed
time of quarantine. Their daily routines have changed Mother herself!
drastically, with their husbands now working from Finally, let us consecrate ourselves and our fami-
home (and we are grateful that they all have work!). lies to the Holy Family: to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
With schools closed, they are now homeschooling our the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Chaste Heart of
ten grandchildren, and finding the time to sew 100’s of Saint Joseph. The family is the first teacher of the faith
facemarks for those who need them. — there is no greater gift that we can give our children
To me, these are examples of those who are help- as heaven is the reward. V

www.michaeljournal.org MICHAEL May/June/July 2020 47