Today, the mother
Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Before
exploring into why this family is heralded “Holy”, let us first consider the
human origine of family. From the outset, God created the first family: Adam
and Eve. God gave them a divine mission: to collaborate in His creation, multiply
and tend to the Garden of Eden, live within the realms of freedom and space
granted by God. Unfortunately, they were deceived by the Satan, presented as
the ancient serpent.
Notwithstanding
this original fall, God didn’t give up in his initial plan. God continued to
journey with His creature. This journey, marked by God's presence through
prophets and kings, took a turning point with the call of Abraham. By making
alliance with Him, God is revealed as a “God of Promise”, as “Promise-keeping
God. Abraham embraced God's promise, foreseeing a lineage as numerous as the
stars. Through Abraham all families of the earth are blessed.
However, Abraham’s
faith was put to test. Today’s first reading reminds us of this. He was quite
advanced in age and his wife was still barren and
later, the command to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
The second reading
from the Letter to the Hebrews expressed Abraham’s faith in this manner: “He
believe that God is capable of raising the dead to life” and therefore, he obeyed
God beyond human logic and reasoning. He teaches us that faith is accepting the
“humanly impossible” and allowing the “God of all possible” to take control of our
lives, every situation.
While we rejoice
today, let us claim Abrahamic blessing for our families. The family of Mary,
Joseph and Jesus are deeply rooted in the descendance of Abraham. Let us recall
here that the challenge of Abraham is the challenge faced by many families
today. We can mention here not only couples yearning to have children, but also
and mostly families struggling with faith in God, accepting God’s presence in their
midst, allowing God to take control over their brokenness. Abraham is teaching us
today that “trail of faith” is part of every family.
The Holy Family
was not exempted from this “trial of faith”. In fact, we can say that right
from the beginning, everything about this family appeared to be against human
logic: A Virgin betrothed to a man called Jospeh was found to be pregnant. No
human logic can explain how a woman can conceive without the apport of male semen.
Joseph was confronted with the choice of sending Mary packing. We can imagine
the misunderstanding, and maybe the deception of Joseph. Like Abraham, Joseph
is presented as a just man because he always obeyed God’s command. While
planning to divorce Mary secretly God spoke to him in a dream, inviting him not
to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.
The birth of Jesus
was also extraordinary. He was born in a humble stable. It was an improvised
place. Jesus came to the world to be among the “poorest of the poor”. Shortly
after His birth, His parents fled to Egypt to protect Him from Herod's tyranny,
thus exemplifying God's choice of non-violence.
Everything about
the Holy Family speaks of Humility, Love, Patience, endurance, mutual support,
forgiveness. It was often said that “Mary meditated all these events in her
heart”. She wasn’t a woman who talks a lot. All her words were profound and
meaningful. Her experience of losing and finding Jesus after three days mirrors
the anguish of parents today whose children are lost.
Holy family speaks
to all families today. St Pope John Paul II aptly describes “the family as
the Church in miniature”. When families are in crises, all strata of the
society are, including the Church. And this is what we are experiencing today. While
the future of the society and families are more than uncertain, the experience
of the Holy Family can help us navigate through various challenges if we can
pose and learn from their experiences. On a day like this, parents should “Blesse
their Children”, speak positivity, life, love, happiness, forgiveness to them
and not negativity, curse. May the Holy Family help us be families according to
God’s initial plan.
Let us Pray:
Heavenly Father,
we gather before You today, honoring the sacred bond of family, as exemplified
by the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Bless our homes with the grace
of love, patience, and understanding, mirroring the virtues of the Holy Family.
Lord, in times of
trial and uncertainty, guide our families with the light of faith, as shown by
Abraham. Help us to trust in Your divine plan, even when the path seems clouded
and the journey difficult. Grant us the strength to overcome challenges and the
wisdom to learn from them.
May our homes be
sanctuaries of peace, where Your presence is deeply felt. Instill in us
humility and the spirit of forgiveness, that we may support and uplift one
another in moments of joy and hardship alike.
Bless our
children, Lord, and envelop them in Your protective embrace. Guide their steps
and enlighten their hearts, that they may grow in virtue and wisdom, and
contribute positively to the world around them.
We ask for Your
blessings on all families around the world. May they find in the Holy Family a
source of inspiration and hope. Through Your love and guidance, may all
families flourish and reflect Your divine love.
We make our prayers
through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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