The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
The Feast of the Holy Family is a relatively new feast compared to the two thousand history of the Church. The Coptic Church has always had a devotion to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph because of the biblical reference to their flight to Egypt. In the Western Church, however, devotion to the Holy Family dates back only to the early sixteenth Century. The Feast of the Holy Family as a liturgical celebration was established by Pope Leo XIII as late as 1893. It was the time when the very structure of the family, its identity and its role was being radically transformed by unbridled and rapid industrialization.
Our families, as we find them today, is a direct result of the impact that the industrial age has had on the family. Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, I am sure our minds are drawn to our own families. May I offer three points for us to reflect upon.
The Normalcy of Abnormalcy. When we think of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we are tempted to think of them as the “perfect family.” Indeed, we believe that they were holy in an extraordinary way. However, scripture gives us enough information about the early years of Jesus to also conclude that they were not without challenges. Today’s gospel reading, which, in my opinion, is a romanticized version of what may have actually happened, gives us an indication of the challenge that the family faced. Think about the anxiety of parents looking for their child for three days. Think about their relief when they found him. Think about their anxiety when their barely teenage son tells them, “Did you not know…?” Any of you parents struggle with teenagers? I am close to being fifty ad my parents still worry about me. If we could share each other’s stories, we’d probably here till the New Year. Think also about the rough start the Holy family had. What if your fiance´ turned up pregnant? What if your first child was born while on the way? What if your family had to flee to escape violence? What if one of your parents died when you were still young? What if your child was innocent but was incarcerated and put to death? We suddenly realize that the struggles the Holy Family faced are not very different from the struggles we face. In fact, when it comes to the family, abnormal is normal. So today, let us bring our normally abnormal and abnormally normal families before God. Just like the Holy Family, may we have the faith, the courage and the strength to be a family and discover the blessings of being a family. In spite of it all, our families are a blessing.
Keeping it Together. The origin of the Feast of the Holy Family tells us much about the intention of Pope Leo XIII. The industrial revolution tore the traditional extended family apart. The impact of this shift on society as a whole could never have been imagined or calculated. By introducing the feast of the Holy Family, the Church was not only trying to present a model for modern families but, perhaps, also trying to provide the spiritual support system that modern families need. It is not any different today. The pressure today’s families face because of shrinking incomes, separation and divorce, technology invading our homes, sickness and addictions, managing schedules between work, children’s school and activities, and the pressures of modern society, are unimaginable. It is a miracle that some families survive. This simply means that that families need the spiritual, emotional and social support system to cope with and grow through the post-modern challenges. Our question is simple. How do we keep it together? My third point will draw out some lessons from today’s scripture to provide the answer to this question.
A Family Spirituality. In today’s first reading, Hannah teaches us a very valuable lesson. This childless woman had come to God seeking the gift of a child. Her prayer was heard and she gave birth to Samuel. She does not forget God as a result. Rather she comes to the temple and says, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” Hannah’s life and prayer parallels that of Mary in the New Testament. They were woman of prayer. The best spiritual and emotional support that a family can give itself is, prayer. Every family is invited to develop a spirituality. The challenges that today’s families face almost compel us anchor our families onto a firm Christian spirituality. What does this spirituality look like? Paul gives is the answer in today’s second reading: “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.” In fact, this is what exactly the Holy Family holds before us. The life of the Holy Family teaches us that no family can shield itself from imperfections and misfortunes. However, it is possible to find blessing, hope, courage, strength, stability if we firmly anchor our families on a solid Christian spirituality. As I often say to families, “Pray together, eat together, work together and have fun together! Above all, put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
Let us offer our families to the Lord in today's Eucharist.
- Fr. Satish Joseph