Holy Family

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Family can be a group of people living under one roof, people related by common ancestry, or people united by a common cause. We are all born into a family, but we also construct families of our own choosing over time.

The traditional family unit is the centre of life - culturally as well as spiritually. At its most basic, it is parents raising children for the continuation of the family, but as family units connect with other families, community is formed...a broader understanding of family.

Family is about relationship by the simple fact that family is comprised of more than one person. In his homily today, our Deacon related family to the story of Adam and Eve: God created all manner of things - plants, fish, birds, animals - and saw that they were good. Finally, He created man, but it was not good, for man was alone, and so He drew Eve from Adam's side. Adam himself realized that this was a special relationship - "bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh" - and there we have the first human family, a gift from God.

What happens next? On the seventh day, God ordains a day of rest. Not only do we rest from our labour, but it is a tithe of our time which we give to God in honour of our familial relationship with Him. He is our Father; we are His children. God is wise: we need this time of rest in order to carry on with our duties and responsibilities. We need this time in order to foster our family life, as well as our spiritual life.

I always feel great peace when I reflect on the Holy Family. I used to think it was because they were perfect: you have Mary, born without sin; Jesus, Son of God and the promised Messiah; and then Joseph, who may have been a 'mere mortal' but he must have been pretty holy to end up in that home, right? Well, yes, that is indeed a lot of holiness under one roof. And yet, consider what they had to deal with: on the road by donkey while heavily pregnant, having your child in a stable, being hunted by a man who wanted your child dead, having to flee your country at a moments notice and so on. This was not a family without struggle or strife, and yet, I believe it was a peaceful family, a joyful family, a simple family. I think Joseph was an honest, hardworking man who provided for his family and guided them wisely as head of his household. Mary kept her home prudently and lovingly, teaching and forming her child. Jesus did what children are supposed to do: honoured his parents and grew into a man. They met their religious obligations, and lived righteously.

While they are a rather exceptional family, they are also wonderfully approachable: Mary is our heavenly Mother, Jesus is our Brother, and Joseph is the patron of families, so we are also part of their family. And, we can use them as our model of family life, or ask for their help when we need it.

For all those without family at this time of year, I pray you receive solace from the Family of Bethlehem.