Feast of the Holy Family

Gospel Bullet Points (Luke2:41-52)

• It is always a joy to imagine the Holy Family of Nazareth living a simple life where Joseph humbly does his carpentry work diligently. At the same time, Jesus cheerfully helps out, enthusiastically assisting his father, the Blessed Virgin Mary preparing the food for the family. It is a picture of an ideal family working together, praying together, genuinely loving each other, and above all, loving God in everything.
• In contrast, if we observe some of today’s families, we can see the absentee fathers and mothers busy with their careers, searching for professional and financial success. The eldest son is having a shabu session while the only daughter is left alone with the yaya watching a violent film.
• This is the sad reality of our materialistic society. Children have become the least of our priorities. We have become more concerned about how to get more money, to succeed in our pursuits at the expense of relationships.
• On this feast of the Holy Family, let us reflect on how we can best reverse the breakdown of the traditional Christian Family. Let us go back to the old family lifestyle of praying together, playing together, supporting each other, or respecting the elders. St. Paul tells us in one of his letters (Col 3:12-21) to build a holy family through compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love…
• Let us look at the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – simple and God-centered. Let it be our model as we entrust our own families to the hands of our Loving Father.