The Solemnity of the Holy Family is
a wonderful reminder that God is with us in our world just as it is. There are times we can have the impression
that God does not understand or that He is beyond the reach of the
ordinary. Remembering the simple fact
that Jesus lived family life with Joseph and Mary in Nazareth for most of His
years on earth, we can come to grasp the profound and yet simple truth that God
is with us here and now, right where we are.
The Family is God’s way of
expressing among us the Unity of the Trinity, the Relationships shared among
the Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As the fundamental building block of society,
the family is in need of attention, both at the level of those who live in it
and in society at large. We are living
in a time that de-values family and fights against it in subtle and
not-so-subtle ways. We have to be on our
guard and to watch how we respond to the challenges given to family life.
Generations are meant to be together
and to share wisdom across the years. In
our time, families are often divided by a multiplicity of activities. More insidiously, they are often separated by attitudes of disrespect
and an unwillingness to listen. Parents
need the wisdom and example offered by their own parents as they seek to raise
their children and to share fundamental values with them. When was the last time you really listened to
what your children’s grandparents told you about what your children need from
you?
In our time, family life is
disrupted by overly busy schedules and by endless activities that take them
away from home. Meals are perfunctory at
best. Time spent just being with one
another without interruptions by gadgets, games and technology is at a
premium.
Did
you hear the one about the little boy who asked his Dad how much money he made
in an hour? When told $50 dollars an
hour, the boy checked his pockets and found $3 in change. He asked his Dad to borrow $47. His Dad was surprised at the odd amount, but
decided to give it to his son. The son
added his own change to what his Dad had just given him, and handed it back to
his father, saying, “Can I buy an hour of your time?”
After the Masses today, we will be
celebrating individual family blessings.
All are invited to receive the blessing as a family and to take it home
with you. Let’s work together this year
to establish homes and families that welcome Jesus, Mary and Joseph to serve as
their model.
