HOLY FAMILY
Gen. 15:1-6,21:1-3; Ps 104
Heb. 11:8,11-12,17-19: Lk 2:22-40
THE HOLY FAMILY, A MODEL FOR OUR FAMILIES
As we celebrate Christmas, we take time to contemplate on the family as we take a look at the Holy Family. Our gospel from Luke 2:22-40 concerns the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus.
Jesus makes the family Holy
Jesus’ family was not the only family at Nazareth. There have been generations of families but what makes this family holy is the presence of Jesus. If Joseph had not obeyed the revelation he received in his dream, if Mary had not consented to the plan of God, Jesus would not have been part of their family. It is important then, to invite Jesus into our families. Each member of the family must entrust himself or herself to the Lord and welcome him personally into their hearts. When Jesus reigns in each heart, he will definitely be in our Family.
Responsibility of parents
The parents have the right and privilege to train their children. In Luke 2:22 we read that the parents of Jesus took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, for every first-born child belongs to the Lord (Exodus 13:1). No child belongs to the parents. Every child is a gift from God. Parents have the privilege to raise them. How then can we train them not to know the Lord and love him. That will be a very great betrayal of the trust God has in us.
The bible says train up a child the way he should go. How are we training our children today? Some parents have a ‘dum sor’ presence in the lives of their children. They appear to be present but not present enough to know what is going on in the lives of their children. These days children growing into adolescence are left to make sense of these first experiences on their own. They are left to experiment things on their own. Parents today seem to be responsible for remedial issues. An important part of raising children is being their companion and talking with them. Have time and talk with your children. Just talk.
Responsibility and support
Each member of the family has a responsibility towards the family. Mothers have a responsibility, as do fathers and children. Each person in the family has the ministry of service towards one another. Since no one choses his family, our responsibilities towards our families should be seen as a task from the Lord. This responsibility also extends to the members of the extended family but not to the neglect of the wellbeing of the members of the nuclear family.
Family feud and issues
Every family is beset with discontent, dissatisfaction, anger, envy and a feeling of not loved enough or being left out. Every family has its own problems. There is no single perfect family. In fact, the first feud in the Bible was a family feud. There is no family that does not have any issues. Every family has its issues but whenever these issues arise, we must do our best to resolve them amicably exploring all avenues.
May the Lord who was pleased to make himself present in our human family, bless every family and heal every hurt and division in our families.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
