Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Today is the feast of the Holy family. Since we are commemorating the year of being church at home and home and church, it is crucial for us to reflect deeply upon both the Holy Family and our own families.
We have just celebrated Christmas. When we think of God’s plan and all the ways in which God could have come to us, is it not truly amazing that Christ came into a home? Just as Christ’s coming as a human person gives dignity to the human race, God’s coming into a home bring dignity to every family. A family in itself is a holy thing but by God coming into our home makes a home a sacrament. In other words, the home is a place where we can encounter God in a deep way. I am sure that marriage, the birth of a child, anniversaries, birthdays and even death are already sacred moments for us. But we are also being invited to reflect upon our day-to-day living and make it an opportunity for encounters with God.
Let me provide three points that might help us understand our families are a sacrament and that might help us in our families.
1. Re-discovering the concept of ‘sacrifice.’ As events connected of the birth of Jesus began to unfold, it became necessary for chosen people involved to make tremendous sacrifices. Mary had to give up her own plans, Joseph had to be obedient to God and Jesus came down to earth for our sake. In fact, both as individuals and as a family their life together continued to require heroic sacrifice and selflessness. And perhaps, apart from the fact that God’s Son was in this family, it was their sacrifice and selflessness that made them a holy family.
In the consumerist society in which we live instant gratification is a pursuit. As with everything else with regard to our families as well the temptation is to look for instant gratification. But we also know that as with everything of value marriage and family too take hard work. Sometimes it is hard to see a family give up on itself without sacrifice, selflessness and hard work. Too many families give up way too easily.
It would be very worthwhile to first of all reclaim the sacredness and holiness of the home. Our home is a sacrament because God chose to dwell in our homes. With this in mind it would also be worthwhile that we re-claim the culture of sacrifice and selflessness. Unfortunately there are situations where a marriage is no longer a marriage. But that conclusion must be reached after prayer and after selfless reflection. However, Mary, Joseph and Jesus teach us that it worth putting all energy, time and resources to protect the sanctity of the home through sheer hard work and dedication.
2. More than anything else let us help our children build a 'relationship' with God. I am truly amazed that when Mary found Jesus in the temple, he was in discussion with religious leaders about God and faith. When Mary asked Jesus why he had done this to his parents, his answer was, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Notice that Jesus calls God, “Father. In other words, Jesus had not only learned about Judaism, but he had learned to think about who God was for him. Mary and Joseph had helped Jesus build a relationship with God. Once had had learnt that, then the rest of his life just fell in line according to God’s plan.
When I think about my own childhood at home, school and church the emphasis was too much on knowing my prayers and going in church because it was the right thing to do. And certainly this may be the right place to start. But if children stay at that stage their relationship with God suffers. I wish as a child along with learning prayer and Catholicism, there was an equal emphasis on developing a relationship with God. Unfortunately, I grew up to fear God. I discovered a God who was primarily love much later in life.
Parents and adults, I encourage you today, like Mary and Joseph to first and foremost encourage your children not just to pray, but also to develop a healthy relationship with God.
3. So what does scripture teach us today about being a Christian family and home? We get the best advice today from Paul in his letter to the Colossians. He says, “Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” On this feast of the Holy Family, there is no better advice for us to receive than what Paul has to say to us. A holy family does not mean a family without problems. Rather a holy family entails that no matter what our families have to deal with that we deal with it the Christian way. Yes, in our homes, let us put on compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. If we can strive to do this our homes can truly be a holy home. Our family will be a holy family as well.
During this Eucharist, let us dedicate our home and our family to Christ.
- Fr. Satish Joseph