THE SACRED BOND: DRAWING STRENGHT FROM THE HOLY FAMILY’S LIFE. (Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3. Hebrew 11:8-18)

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.