December 29, 2024: Holy Family

Feast of the Holy Family (C)

Three Facets of Family Construction

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

I received a Christmas card from South Carolina—a photo of an altar server of yesteryear, his wife and their eleven children. I am sure they could write a book or star in a reality show on the joys and challenges of family life.
 
Today’s feast, aptly set within the Christmas Season, would have us look to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—the Holy Family—as a model for our own families. After all, what greater, more perfect family could there be? Yet, they were not immune from problems. Today’s Gospel recalls but one—the anxiety of Mary and Joseph as they searched for Jesus who decides at twelve years of age to remain in Jerusalem when it was time to return home.
 
There were other problems—and they began early. Our Lord’s birth in a manger was not exactly the best start to family life! Not long after, they had to be uprooted and flee in haste to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Financial problems beset them. Poor, the family surely struggled to make ends meet. They were not exempt from heartache: Jesus and Mary grieved at St. Joseph’s early death. Mary suffered as she became aware of the hostility so many had toward her Son, only to be followed by deepest of sorrows—the experience of Calvary!
 
Yet, through it all, their love of God and their love for one another sustained them and brought them joy. These should sustain our families as well.It is the way we should emulate the Holy Family especially considering that no family functions at its optimal level. Outside every home we might well post a sign that reads, “Under Construction.” I’d like to consider three facets of that construction:
 
The first is understanding. In the Incarnation. God did not show himself to be a distant or indifferent God. In Jesus, God “got into our skin” so that we would be able to say, “God understands me. God knows my weaknesses and struggles. We too must become, if you will, “incarnate” with others.
 
We have to get into the skin of others, to place ourselves in their shoes to understand them. This doesn’t mean we must always agree with them, but understand them.
 
We often want to “remake” people into what we think they should be, and when they don’t meet our expectations, we become annoyed or even write them off. The family is the place where one should find understanding, patience, and acceptance.
 
The second is reconciliation. Forgiveness should be found first and foremost within the family. The textbook for this could be the Parable of the Prodigal Son. There, in the face of painful, rash decisions, departure, resentment, and pride, we find the humility of conversion, a parent’s unconditional love, and the joy of homecoming. The dignity of every member of our family should be respected and everyone should know the hope and joy of a new beginning.
 
Finally, the family should be the place where prayer and virtues are cultivated. Prayer goes beyond the walls of the church and into the home. Family members should also meet God in the needy and vulnerable by carrying out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love that made your home the school of holiness. Grant that the homes of our families may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel. Keep our families free from all violence, rejection, and division; grant us the strength and courage to overcome problems so that any wounds may be healed and bitterness may be conquered by forgiveness. May love grow ever stronger. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.                                         [Adapted from a prayer of Pope Francis]