Family means so much to individuals and to society as a whole. Families can provide love, confidence, support, encouragement, and protection. The family can be a strong moral anchor and a model for brotherhood and charity that helps us as we go out into the world. It can be a refuge where we find peace and refreshment when we return home.
We don't have to look far, however, to see that things are not always well within families, and that the ties that supposedly bind sometimes irritate, and can even be stifling and oppressive. What can we do if some family members have dominated us or even caused us harm? Do we just have to put up with it? Do we pretend it never happened? What can we do if we've missed a good family experience?
A good place to start is with the teachings of Christ Jesus, who gave mankind a new definition of family. When the Master was told that his mother and brothers wanted to speak to him, he replied, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" The account continues: "And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. 12:48-50 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy explains: "Jesus acknowledged no ties of the flesh. He said: 'Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.' Again he asked: 'Who is my mother, and who are my brethren,' implying that it is they who do the will of his Father. We have no record of his calling any man by the name of father. He recognized Spirit, God, as the only creator, and therefore as the Father of all." Science and Health, p. 31
