Our ordinary everyday lives are holy just as the way we worship in church is holy. Our homes are sacred ground just as the church building is sacred ground. Our family relationships are sacred just as our relationship with God is sacred.

We sin against God, not through breaking God's laws but through breaking relationships, our relationship with God and with one another. Sometimes we fail to live up to our ideals or we make mistakes. Sometimes we do not even know we hurt one another and at other times we deliberately hurt others out of spite or because they have hurt us.

Whenever we have hurt someone, for whatever reason, there is a need for things to be put right again. Failure and hurt do not need to last forever. God is always ready to forgive if we ask for forgiveness. There is a wise saying, “We hurt the most those we love the most.” Probably the greatest need for forgiving and for being forgiven is in our own families where we can and should ask each other for forgiveness and grant each other forgiveness. This can be done quite simply, at any time, as often as need be. At special times like Advent and Lent a simple reconciliation service at home can be held. This can also be a preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for those who are Catholic.

LEADER: In the name of the Father
ALL: Amen

LEADER: Let us turn to God and offer him all the good things we have done and ask him for forgiveness for the things we have done wrong to Him and to each other. Let us pray...

ALL: Dear God, we are sorry that we have not loved enough. We know you love us. Teach us to love one another more and to forgive as you forgive us. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus, who lives with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

READER: Mark 11:25 . “Jesus said, ‘when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.'” (Pause for a short personal reflection)

Not everyone may have failed in each of the ways listed. The leader could read them out and after a pause members could respond as they believe it applies to them. Members could also mention their own personal failings.

LEADER: Let us now ask God to forgive us. For not being kind and helpful.

RESPONSE: Forgive me, Lord.

LEADER: For not always telling the truth.

For quarelling, fighting and teasing.

For not controlling my temper.

For being selfish and not being willing to share.

For not being kind to the people I don't like,

For not doing what I was asked or told to do.

For not trying harder to do my best.

For taking others for granted.

Let us now also ask each other for forgiveness.

Prayerfully think about something you have done that hurt other members of the family and for which you are sorry.
You could then go the different family members and “Please forgive me for hurting you by...“
The other is asked to listen carefully, think about the situation and could then respond. “I forgive you” and show a sign of forgiveness like a hug or handshake.
This process may take some time.
When everyone is ready and after some quiet reflection prepare to close.

ALL: Our Father ...

LEADER: Thank you dear God, for the gift of our family and the gift of forgiveness that can bring us back to closeness with each other again. Help us to serve each other with love and to do your will here on earth. May Almighty God bless us all.

ALL: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

FAMILY PRAYER MEAL

A Family Prayer Meal is an opportunity to deepen our awareness that when we are together sharing a meal as a family God is present with us in our little Church of the Home. The format below is based on the weekly Sabbath meal that is still celebrated by Jewish families and can be used at different times during the year, for different occasions. It could end a family fast day or be celebrated with a simple soup and bread meal as a sacrifice and the money saved can be given to the poor. The Last Supper of Jesus and his friends was a special Sabbath meal celebrated once a year to commemorate the Passover, the Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt .

REQUIREMENTS

For the prayer part: bread or matzos, wine or grape juice, a candle, writing material.

For the meal: family's choice.

THE PRAYER TIME

Begin by making the sign of the cross.

The leader holds up the piece of bread and says:

BLESSED ARE YOU LORD, GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. THANKS TO YOUR GOODNESS WE ARE GATHERED HERE AND HAVE THIS BREAD TO SHARE. BY SHARING THIS MEAL MAY WE BE UNITED IN LOVE AND READY TO SHARE WITH OTHERS.

The leader breaks up the bread and shares it with all present and then continues, holding up the wine or grape juice:

BLESSED ARE YOU LORD, GOD OF THE UNIVERSE. THANKS TO YOUR GOODNESS WE ARE GATHERED HERE AND HAVE THIS FRUIT OF THE VINE TO SHARE. MAY WE WHO SHARE IT KNOW THE JOY OF YOUR PRESENCE AND SHARE THIS JOY WITH OTHERS.

Everyone has a sip.

A family member then lights the candle and all are invited to offer a short prayer. These may be prayers of praise, thanksgiving or intercession for a special need for the family or others.

After the prayers the leader continues:

AT THE LAST SUPPER OF JESUS WITH HIS FRIENDS HE WASHED THEIR FEET AS A SIGN OF SERVICE. WE ARE ASKED TO SHOW A SIGN OF OUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE EACH OTHER IN MEMORY OF HIM. LET EACH PERSON MAKE A SIGN OR SHARE HOW THEY ARE WILLING TO SERVE IN THE FAMILY.

Each member shares a sign of service.

To conclude all join hands and the leader says:

GOD OUR FATHER, LOOK KINDLY ON OUR FAMILY. MAY WE WHO ARE GATHERED HERE TOGETHER AT THIS TABLE ONE DAY BE REUNITED WITH THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE DIED BEFORE US. MAY WE GATHER TOGETHER WITH YOU, WITH JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR MOTHER MARY AND OUR FAVOURITE SAINTS IN THE JOY OF THE FULLNESS OF YOUR KINGDOM.

AMEN.

After the prayer time enjoy the prepared food together.