Feast of the Holy Family December 26, 2921
Sirach 3, 2 – 6, 12 - 14; (1 Sam 1, 20 – 28) 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; (Col 3, 12 – 21) Luke 2:41-52
A couple renews their marital vows at their wedding anniversary. At the reception after Mass, the husband is asked by the master of Ceremonies, “If you were given the chance to start life anew, would you marry the same woman?”
Caught by surprise, the husband ponders on the question in silence. The wife waits for his reply nervously. Then in front of all the guests, he says empathetically, “Yes I will.”
On hearing this, the wife bursts into tears. “These are tears of joy,” she explains. “I’m not perfect, but I try my best to be one because of his love.” Love makes them perfect.
The three points to reflect on this feast day:
1) The family that prays together stays together. Of course, prayer is certainly something personal. Still, family prayer is very important and beneficial. And family prayer time is a good time, a moment of peace. It is certainly a matter of humility, realizing that we need God, we need help, we need his strength, we need his blessings, we need his mercy and forgiveness. And above all, we need simplicity to pray as a family.
2) Faith: How do we keep faith as a family? It is possible through the sharing of faith in the family for us to become witnesses to each other, and by accepting the other through our openness, we become missionaries in our day to day lives.
3) JOY: “Then the joy beyond our understanding will flow“ Phil 4:7. This joy brings profound harmony between persons -- something we all feel in our hearts, and that which makes us experience the beauty of togetherness, of mental support along the journey of life.
The Feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our own families too. The main purpose of The feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families, and for domestic life in general. Our family life becomes sanctified when we live the life of the Church within our homes. This is called the "domestic church" or the "church in miniature." St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to make each home a "family church," and in doing so, we sanctify the family unit. Just how does one live out the Church in the family? The best way is by making Christ the center of family and individual life. Ways to do this include: reading scripture regularly, praying daily, attending Mass at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, imitating the actions of the Holy Family.
Happy Feast
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