Joseph and Mary are our models for family life and for the service of God. Even when the circumstances seemed unclear, Joseph trusted God. Healthy family life is built upon trust, trust in God, and trust in one another.

Spend some time talking as a family about the importance of trust in your family life, including how the children trust the adults in the family, as well as how the adults trust the children. Then read today’s Gospel. Discuss Joseph’s trust in God and reflect on how your family trusts in God.

Pray together that your family life will be built on trust, as was the family life of Joseph and Mary. Pray and sing together an Advent song, such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Jesus’ teaching on divorce and remarriage can be difficult to understand, especially for those who know people whose marriages have not lasted. The Church upholds Jesus’ message that marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman in the Sacrament of Marriage. However, it’s important to remember that we are called to show love and compassion, especially to those who may be struggling in their relationships. When marriages are strong, they reflect God’s grace at work in the couple’s lives.

As a family, take some time to talk about what it means to make a promise or a commitment to
someone. You can start with simple examples of promises that are easier to keep. Then, read today’s Gospel from Mark 10:2-16. Discuss some examples of promises or commitments that might be more challenging, like the commitment in marriage that Jesus talks about. Reflect on how we need God’s help to honor our promises to love and care for one another. Jesus reminds us to be like children—trusting God’s care for us and asking for his help to stay faithful to our commitments. End your time together by praying that God will give your family the grace to honor your commitments to each other.