Celebrating the beautiful Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we are invited to reflect on the importance of nurturing holiness in our own families. They were holy and so we too are called to imitate them as our supreme models and teachers. The readings today present us with profound examples of dedication, love, and what it means to live a life anchored in faith and virtue, which is exactly what they did and inspire us to also do.
In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah, a woman whose heart truly yearns for a child. After fervent prayers to the Lord, she is blessed with a son, Samuel. In gratitude, she dedicates him to God’s service. Hannah’s commitment exemplifies a life anchored in prayer and the fulfillment of vows. Her actions remind us that true holiness often begins with a heart that seeks God and a willingness to offer our gifts back to Him. She understood, in her barrenness, how precious a gift having a child is but that birth is only the beginning. Rearing the child in the faith is just as essential, for as Jesus declared; “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” How many children are starving spiritually? How many are well fed on the word of God and the spiritual life of the soul? I know many families who do a great job of tending the latter just as much, if not more than the former – the spiritual over the material. Rare, but I do see it and how powerfully united such families are.
Our families live in warm, loving homes, hopefully, but we are also delightfully aware that we have another house, as God’s children. In the responsorial psalm, we are reminded of the blessings that come from dwelling in the House of the Lord. It is here, in community with others and at the altar of Jesus – the sacrificed Lamb, where we can encounter God in the deepest of ways. Our families can truly become a sanctuary when we endeavor to pray together, to invite God's presence into our interactions, and to support each other in our spiritual journeys. Happiness, as the psalmist notes, is found in our hearts being set upon this pilgrimage towards holiness—towards God. The closer we help each other get to God, the closer we draw towards the source of all joy and peace.
The second reading from 1 John reinforces the idea of love as the core of our identity as children of God. We have been given a divine calling to love one another, a commandment that lies at the heart of family life. This is not always easy, as we navigate the complexities of relationships, disappointments, and misunderstandings. Yet, it is in living out that love, in our commitment to one another, and in the humility it requires to be available to each other, that we grow in holiness as a family.
The Gospel passage highlights the Holy Family's own experience of searching, understanding, and obedience. When Mary and Joseph find the young Jesus in the temple, we see their concern and confusion. Yet, Jesus responds with a profound truth: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This moment reflects the interplay between divine purpose and human experience. It challenges us to understand our children and each other in the light of God’s love and mission. Yes, there’s the every day things we need to worry about, but how much are we looking after our child’s soul?
As we gather today, let us commit ourselves to deepening our prayer life, living out the virtues of compassion and kindness, and embracing the humility that allows us to communicate, forgive, and grow closer to each other. May our homes become havens of grace, where the love of God reigns and holiness shines forth, reflecting the very essence of the Holy Family.
May God bless all our families today and always, through the intercession of Saint Joseph and our most holy Mother, Mary… to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Amen.
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