These days we have celebrated the feast of Innocent Martyrs and the feast of Holy Family. Both of these feasts reminded us to reflect on the gift of life. The life of innocent martyrs had been taken by King Herod in order to be on the safer side. The Holy Family stands for giving life. Therefore both of these feasts reminded us about the importance of preserving life. Life is the most precious gift that all human beings have received from God. But our Holy Father Pope Francis reminds us that, “It is a journey full of challenges, difficult at times, and also with its conflicts. But that is life”.

Both of these feasts remind us that we may face unpleasant situations in our life. Many times, the lack of proper family life is causing these situations to enter into our life. Situations of immigrants and fugitives, of sufferings, of fear, of discomfort, of violence and so on are sometimes, part of our lives. Therefore the responsibility of each parent can be seen in the Gospel of St. Mathew. “Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead” (Mt. 2: 14-15a). It is an advice to each parent and family to listen and obey to the voice of God.

Life is hope. This hope is well explained by Bl. Mother Teresa.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfil it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”

We all have received the life, let us protect and preserve it, because our responsibility is to live life with full of life.

Let there be LIFE