Feast of the Holy Family, Jesus Mary and Joseph

Dear Parish family,

As we continue to celebrate our Christmas season, The Church gives us the Feast
of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is a Feast that seeks to portray the Holy Family of Nazareth as the “true model of life” from which our families can draw inspiration and know where to find help and comfort. Our Lord who loves us so much, was born in a human family just like ours. Though they were holy, they were very much human and just like our families had many hardships.

Our readings today help us to understand the importance of the roles of each member of the family. We have love, responsibility and a deep bond to each other. This of course goes beyond just our biological families, but to all humanity, as children of God, made in his image. St Paul tells us

      “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing                with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
        as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” Col. 3, 12-14

As I reflect on my own family, and look for the similarities to the Holy Family’s experience, I know we were a very much messier version. Our family’s struggles to leave our country in search of a better life. My parents worked in the difficult labor, low paying jobs that at times were not enough to support the family. My parents worried whether it was better to pay the rent or eat. All of us kids also had our responsibilities to contribute for the benefit of the family. Our parents keep us focused on our Faith to guide us, and trusting our Lord would help us through all our many difficult challenges. I admit I feel very blessed by my parents and siblings, none of us were close enough to the image of the Holy Family. However we did have a lot of love for each other, we often tested each other’s patience, and definitely could have shown more compassion and kindness. But in our imperfect family relationship, that to this day continues to be a work in progress.

I take comfort in knowing that even the holy family too had moments of messiness and hardships. I think about St Joseph’s struggle to be the protector and provider for Mary and Jesus, as they traveled to Bethlehem to Egypt and Nazareth, a family in constant motion. He had to trust God’s messenger as he is told to; depart, arise, flee, take refuge, stay. Did he doubt his ability to be a good father and husband? I think of Mary, when they lost Jesus, did she have doubts about her ability to be a good mother? And even Jesus, did he not think how his parents would worry about him when he stayed behind? Did he not know to let them know where he would be, or to stay “where his mom could see him”. They too, lived the experiences that so many of our own families have experienced. Take comfort in the Holy Family, they lived through it too. We are all doing the best that we can, God knows!
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Following the model of the Holy Family, let us use this feast to recommit ourselves to one another, recognizing the responsibility that each family member has to contribute to the good of the family. Celebrate by gathering as a family
and working on a project together, whether it be preparing a meal or a craft or another fun activity. 

Pray together that your family will continue to protect and care for one another
as Mary and Joseph protected and cared for Jesus.


Siempre Adelante,


Tere Delgado
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Faith Formation Minister 

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