Feast of the Holy Family [B]

December 27, 2020

Luke 2:22-40

We are celebrating the feast of the Holy Family, and indeed, we are celebrating not only the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph but every human family. Through this liturgical celebration, the Church is inviting us to recognize the importance and the value of our family. Not only acclaiming the fundamental worth of family, but we are also invited to embrace and celebrate family lives.

At a human level, many social experts have understood that healthy and thriving societies begin in robust families. The families do not only fill the communities with human populations, but they provide an environment where children can grow into physically and psychologically mature men and women. A healthy and mature adult turns to be an asset to society.

From the perspective of faith, the Church always considers family as the basic unit of society and the Church herself. In his apostolic exhortation, Familiaris Consortio, Pope St. John Paul II affirmed the family’s fundamental role as the intimate community of life and love. In the family, husband and wife learn to love each other deeper and deeper every day. In the family, parents offer unconditional and sacrificial love for their children. In the family, the children learn to give honor and respect to their parents and their brothers and sisters. Because only in love, human persons find their true fulfillment as God’s image who is Love.

The Scriptures also give premium to family life. To honor our mother and father is one of the Torah’s highest commandments [Exo 20:]. Sirach even claimed that honoring our parents can atone for our sins [Sir 3:3]. St. Paul himself, in his letter to the Colossians, instructed each member of the family on how to behave [see Col 3:12-21].

Yet, going back to Jesus, we discover that for Him, a family is indeed indispensable. As God, Jesus could have come to us directly from heaven. He did not need human aid. Yet, He chose to be born of the virgin Mary, and through the angel, instructed Joseph to become the husband of Mary and, thus, His foster father. When He became man, He entered a human family and grew through Joseph and Mary’s guidance and protection. Jesus has become part of a family, and His presence sanctified His human family. This is a poignant message for all that family is a school of holiness because Jesus is present.

We also admit that family life is not always smooth and sweet. Moments of frustrations, misunderstanding, anger, and sadness often come and struck us. Various problems ranging from economic stability to emotional immaturity beset our familial relationship. However, these ugly situations may be transformed into means of holiness if Jesus is present among us. Raising children can be tough and even irritating, but we can offer this cross to the Lord as prayer. A relationship with our spouse can be filled with misunderstanding, but before we vent our emotions, we may pause a moment and ask the Lord the best course of action we shall take. Thus, through these difficulties, we are made closer to the Lord.

We thank the Lord for the gift of life, love, and family.

Happy feast day of the Holy Family!

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP