THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR C

1 Samuel 1:20-22.24-28
Psalm 83
1 John 3:1-2.21-24
Luke 2:41-52

THE HOLY FAMILY

We celebrate today the feast of the Holy Family. Thus, we are called to take a fresh look at our families and model them after the example of the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The first reading presents a polygamous family in which one woman, Hannah, was barren. She prayed and God listened to her prayer. She bore a son, named him “Samuel” and offered him to God. What is particular about this family is that it was a God-fearing family and used to worship together.

According to the second reading, two irreplaceable things contribute to the success of our relationship with God our Father and our relationship within the family: faithfulness to God through the observance of his commandments and love for one another. As children of God, we are all brothers and sisters. As such, we manifest our belonging to God’s family if we love and serve one another.

The gospel presents one of the unpleasant situations that the Holy Family experienced. At the end of the feast of Passover at Jerusalem, Jesus, then at twelve years, got missing. Mary and Joseph looked for him everywhere and found him in the Temple after three days.  After that they went back to Nazareth.

The home of Nazareth teaches some important virtues that we can cultivate so as to have a peaceful and harmonious family even amidst challenges and difficulties. These are godliness, unity, patience and humility. Going to church together, praying together, eating together, doing things together and being patient with one another are priceless gestures that can help the family stay together. May the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph intercede for us so that we may have holy and united families.
Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR B

Genesis 15:1-6.21:1-3
Psalm 104:1-6.8-9
Hebrews 11:8.11-12.17-19
Luke 2:22-40

THE HOLY FAMILY

Still in the joyful mood of Christmas, we celebrate today the solemnity of the Holy Family. The purpose is to propose the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as the model for all families. It was the presence of the child Jesus that changed the identity and dignity of this family. The adjective “holy” may make us think of a family in which all was rosy, all the times happy. But no! Like any human family the holy family had its own time of distress, joys and sorrows, challenges and problems, anxieties and struggles.

Today's readings put the child at the centre of our reflection. Having children or not can be a source of anxiety and struggle in the life of the family. In the gospel reading, at the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple, his parents were told their child was “destined for the fall and the rising of many in Israel”, “a sign to be rejected”, and a “sword would pierce the soul” of Mary (Luke 2:22-40).

The first reading also presents us with two common struggles in our families: childlessness and the problem of heritage. Abram was anxious because he was without a child, despite the promises made to him by God (Gen. 15:1-6.21:1-3). But there was one thing remarkable about Abram and Sarah: their faith in God. They believed in God's promises (Heb. 11:8.11-12.17-19).

There are some families that are agonizing beneath the problem of childlessness. But one thing is sure. We serve a living and faithful God who is capable of changing our human impossibility into possibility. Trust in him, pray and do not give up.

There are also parents who do not care about their children. They are not concerned about their material welfare, let alone their spiritual welfare. Let us ask ourselves: Do we care about the spiritual growth of our children? Do we offer them in prayer to God? Do we encourage them to go to church? Like Mary and Joseph, let us cultivate the habit of praying, celebrating and worshipping together.

We may face challenges as family members. But always let us look up to the example of the Holy Family. May the Lord bless and keep us all.

Amen