Holy Family of the Year A.

Sir 3:2-7, 12-14; Cor 3:12-21; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

The Church established the feast of the Holy Family in 1921 when family life had been undermined.

On the feast of the Holy Family, patron of the catholic family, we are asked to study and imitate each member of the Holy Family. According to God’s providential plan, Saint Joseph was chosen to be the foster father, taking care of the Holy Family.

Scripture says very little about Saint Joseph, only saying briefly that he was a descendant of David, a just man and a man of faith. When finding out that Mary was with child, Joseph did not want to denounce her for fear of defaming her, decided to leave her quietly.

 Thus, we can see Joseph was a very considerate man. While thinking in that frame of mind, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, saying: Have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child (Mt 1:20).Joseph immediately accepted it with faith without question. Then in a dream, the angel of the Lord appeared to him again, telling him to get up and bring the child and his mother to flee to Egypt in order to avoid the massacre planned by King Herod. Joseph arose and did as the angel told him. When Herod died, the angel of the Lord appeared once again telling him to bring the child and his mother back to Nazareth. Joseph brought the child and his mother to Nazareth living in the devout and harmonious family according to the wise counsels of the book of Sirach in the Old Testament prescribed for each family member. So we can see, through listening, Saint Joseph knew when to act, when to move, and when to stay.

 When giving birth to Jesus in a poor circumstance, unable to find lodging, Mary accepted it with faith. No complaint of hers was recorded in scripture. When having to bring Jesus to flee into Egypt along with Joseph, Mary did not complain. When presenting Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicted the child to be a sign that will be contradicted (Lk 2:34) and his mother would be suffering as a sword to pierce her heart (Lk 2:35). Scripture does not say a word of reaction in this case from Mary. Only when the Holy Family went to the Temple, and lost his Son, Mary raised her voice to remind him gently of not letting his parents know about his staying behind. When Jesus explained to his parents that he had to do his Father’s will, then his mother was ready to accept his word.

 According to the scripture: His mother kept all these things in her heart (Lk 2:51). Fulfilling the mission that God the Father gave, Jesus returned to Nazareth. Jesus lived in such a moderate lifestyle in thirty years that neighbors did not see anything different about them, thus saying: Is not this Joseph’s son (Lk 4:22; Jn 6:42). They also asked one another: Isn’t Mary known to be his mother (Mt 13:55). As son, Jesus was obedient to them (Lk 2:51) and progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men (Lk 2:51). The lessons Mary and Joseph teach us today are to follow the will of God, to put our faith and trust in God’s providential care (Lk 2:52). The reward for those who live and follow God’s will is peace of mind. Mary and Joseph also taught us to be patient and accept one another in faith. On this feast of the Holy Family, the Church uses a reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to advise members of the family to treat one another with: mercy, kindness, humility, meekness and patient and to forgive one another (Col 3:12-13).

 Which husband, which wife who does not want to be treated that way? Parents are called upon to be concerned for the total welfare of their children. Husbands and fathers are called upon to be responsible especially for the safety of their children as Saint Joseph was. Wives and mothers are called upon to follow the example of Mary to provide emotional and spiritual support for family members. Children are called upon to obey, honor and respect their parents as the Book of Sirach points out (Sir 3:2-6, 12-14). The fourth commandment also teaches children to honor their parents.

 Today the family members are called upon to create a family atmosphere of piety and harmony according to the wise advices of the book of Sirach pointing out for father, mother and children. Thus, we can see a model family is the family who has the spirit of fear of the lord. A model family is the one who does not mix up with roles: father for mother, mother for father. The family is called upon to bring God into their lives so that God may be in control. We need to bring God to our family life so that God can travel with us and be in charge of our family life. To go to mass and worship on Sunday as family and pray together and eat together as family are necessary and important for the success of family life.

 Survey shows that those families that eat together and pray together at least a few times a week are considered as happy families or at least they can avoid possible breakdown. The second Vatican Council in its Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity states: The family will fulfill this mission if it appears as the domestic sanctuary of the Church by reason of their mutual affection of its members and the common prayer that they offer to God (Apostolicam Actuositatem).

 Prayer for the happiness of family life:

 Lord Jesus! You chose to be born

in the family of the blessed mother and the fostered father

as to teach humankind a lesson about the importance of the family.

May each member of my family know how

to follow the example of the holy family:

love, generosity, care and forgiveness.

Come and establish your sovereignty over my family.

Send your angels to watch over and protect my family. Amen.

 John Tran Binh Trong