Readings
I - Sir. 3: 2-6, 12-14
II - Col. 3: 12-21
III - Mt. 2: 13-15, 19-23
FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family, the model for all families. Joseph, Mary and Jesus each of them performed their role in absolute co-operation, obedience, respect and harmony in fulfilling the Plan of God. Joseph and Mary submitted themselves to God and to one another in faith. The instruction about taking the baby to Egypt and from there to bring back to their hometown was given by the angel of the Lord to Joseph only but was obeyed by Mary at the words of Joseph with no counter questions or arguments. The bible says that Jesus was obedient to his parents (Lk. 2: 51). Every member in the holy family respected the role of every other member, setting an example for all families in the world.
The families today are fragmented due to individualism, autonomy, selfishness, misunderstanding and egoism. Each one wish to underestimate, dominate and outrun one another resulting in broken families leaving the children with single parent or abandoning them to grandparents, homes and orphanages. Or on the other hand resulting in children abandoning their parents to the old age homes. In either case it is indeed pathetic, heartrending and painful. The second reading instructs on the mother, father and children’s attitude that would favour an exemplary family while the first reading enlists the blessings of those who obey and honour their parents. St. Paul instructs put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiving one another for a harmonious family living. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family pray for your own families and for those that are broken and separated. God bless our families. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “God bless our families”.
