The Holy Family

Saint Francis with the Holy Family

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

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Gospel of Matthew 2:12-14, 19-23

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.  They stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord has said through the prophet might be fulfilled,"Out of Egypt I called my son"......

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This small family from Nazareth exemplified love, compassion, and devotion.  Many people think the holy family was perfect.  Far from it!  They struggled just like families today.  Even though Mary and Jesus were sinless it didn't mean they didn't feel fear, anger, and frustration. In fact, with Joseph as head of their family, they were faced with incredible challenges.  While escaping King Herod's death trap, the Holy family became unified and strengthened.  They were scared and troubled but didn't think twice about turning away from one another. Prayer became the sustaining force in their family relationship.  Their lives were centered around God.  The Holy Family turned to Our Lord for help in difficult times and praised Him in glorious times.  

How can the Holy Family be a model in our own families?

Be Patient Patience has become a bad word in today's society of instant gratification. Children demand of their parents the latest toys and gadgets.  Mothers and fathers often bicker at one another because so and so forgot to do something.  A father may become impatient with his son who is slow at an athletic sport he himself was great at.  A mother may become impatient with her wiggle-worm toddler who cannot keep her tiny hands off of breakables!  Patience is one of the most important virtues for us to master, especially in our relationships. When we become impatient, we can harbor resentment.  When we become impatient, we can think the worst of our loved ones.  Mary and Joseph may have felt annoyed and frightened when Jesus ran off to preach in the temple.  But, they patiently sought him out and found him, recognizing  he was doing the Lord's work.

Seek Forgiveness- This is a biggy.  Probably one of the best ways to heal a broken family is through an act of forgiveness.  The Holy Family stuck it out when faced with challenges, but a majority of families today do not.  Divorce is commonplace. Children wanting nothing to do with their parents, often pushing them away has become increasingly familiar.  If only parents and children could learn to forgive one another  relationships can be saved.  Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting.  Forgiveness means opening one's heart to a loved one and repent for one's harmful actions.  Jesus and his mother Mary forgive us all the time!  Why can't we do the same toward our loved ones?  I'm sure Joseph sought Mary's forgiveness when he mistakenly thought she was pregnant out of wedlock.  It took an angel of the Lord to set Joseph's mind straight.  It takes faith in the Lord to set our mind's straight!

Compassion & Care-  The first reading from the Book of Sirach says:

My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives.  Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins -a house raised in justice for you.

Compassion and care for both our aging mothers and fathers is something Mary and Joseph would have done. I can imagine they took care of Saint Ann and Saint Joachim in their aging years. The wisdom of the elders was highly prized in the ancient world.  Unfortunately, in our society where youth rules and many are trying to drink from the "fountain of youth," our elderly are thrown aside as garbage.  They are ignored by their own children, thrown into nursing homes against their will. Oftentimes the elderly find themselves at the mercy of others to care for them. They are abused and neglected.  The Holy Family symbolizes compassion and care for everyone regardless if they are unborn or elderly. Our Lord looks highly on those who care for those who are sick, aging, abused, and neglected.  Compassion and care for our parents is something we should all commit to do.  Patience and forgiveness will ease the burden.

As the New Year approaches, we should make a resolution to honor our families!  Make a commitment to be more patient, forgiving, compassionate, and loving.  Make it a priority to strengthen and unify the family.  Make time each day to pray as a family.  This is something lacking in all of the life's busyness.  Communicating through prayer allows the light of Christ to bless our families during times of struggles as well as during times of joyfulness.  Let us refrain from individualistic tendencies and learn to enjoy the many blessings of the family bond!

-J.