The Holy Family is a model for every family’s love of God and neighbor
Reflections on the readings for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (December 27, 2020): SIR 3:2-6,12-14; PS 128:1-2,3,4-5; COL 3:12-21; LK 2:22-40
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The Holy Family’s home was more than simply a place to live. Like happy, healthy, and holy households today, it was a place of worship, of learning, of service to God and His people.
On this feast that honors the Holy Family we see the great importance that Almighty God attaches to the well being of each and every family. Through Jesus, Mary and Joseph we see the loving support that we are also called to offer one another. In their family – and our own – the priority must always be given to Christ our Lord. The Blessed Virgin Mary had a unique obligation, of course, as the Mother of God. And St. Joseph had been particularly singled out by our Eternal Father to act in His stead, not only as the guardian of Jesus, but also as the head of the Holy Family. Each one had a special role in their home life, just as they did in the divine plan for the redemption of the world. Each accepted with free will everything that was asked by the Almighty. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph answered generously as loving individuals and as a faithful Jewish family. “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:39-40).
The Holy Family’s home was more than simply a place to live. Like happy, healthy, and holy households today, it was a place of worship, of learning, of service to God and His people. Their neighbors may not have recognized the carpenter’s family as extraordinary, yet they must have noticed, at least occasionally, their humble fidelity to God and everyday concern for the welfare of others. Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies from 1950 to 1966, wrote that, “Our Lord spent three hours in redeeming, three years in teaching, and thirty years in obeying, in order that a rebellious, proud, and diabolically independent world might learn the value of obedience. Home life in the God-appointed training ground of human character.” That remains true for us today.
Suggested missionary action: We can ask the Holy Family to guide our family and all families, especially those in greatest need. We can also offer material aid from our home to homes around the world is by supporting the work of the Pope’s missions for children and families.
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