Today is the feast of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Jesus’ foster father, are the model for all families. They are truly a model, and a family that endured challenges that, when they were endured, likely seemed insurmountable. Their faith and trust in God gave them the courage and the direction that they needed. I cannot fathom how difficult it must have been for the Holy Family.
Mary had the faith and the courage to say yes. She accepted her call and became the mother of God. Joseph listened and trusted God and accepted his vocation. And of course, Jesus, who accepted the will of the Father and suffered pain and embarrassment that was like no other. Their lives were not easy, yet because of their faith, we have the gift of salvation.
The Holy Family’s challenges began early on. They fled to Egypt and endured the sufferings of refugees. They traveled through deserts and endured extremes in nature and food was a scarcity. They went from place to place often living in caves. They frequently had to relocate to escape the sentence that Herod had sought. Yet despite these hardships, there were blessings. God provided them with food and shelter. God gave them strength. Because they were in a foreign land, they likely did not have the support from a biological family, but I am confident that they made “family” along the way.
God calls us to be family in many different capacities. The Holy Family is the model for us. We are to trust in God. We are to pray and listen to what God is asking of us and how He is guiding us. He is walking with us. We have to trust. None of us goes through life unscathed. At times we are faced with challenges, as the Holy Family was faced with challenges, that seem insurmountable. God gives us and calls us to be family for each other.
If we support someone through a listening voice, through a heartfelt kindness, through a smile, or through a loving word or prayer, we are being like those who helped the Holy Family with their challenges. If we empathize with others we are being family. If we hold the truth of our faith dear and share it with others, we are being family.
May the love of our families bring us closer to God and each other. May we truly appreciate the gift that God has given to us through the sacrifice of His Son.
Merry Christmas and God bless you!
Dcn. Chris