OUR LIFE IN THE LIFE OF THE HOLY FAMILY

⏰FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

📖Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (R.v.1); Col 3:12-21; Matt 2:13-15, 19-23

🎤OUR LIFE IN THE LIFE OF THE HOLY FAMILY

In Jesus, God unites himself to the entire human nature and human experience. It is in the family that this human experience is more pronounced. It is here that Jesus spent a greater part of his earthly life.

What we know of his earthly ministry spans a period of about three years out of about thirty-three years he spent on earth. so this celebration offers us ample opportunity to reflect on our different responsibilities in our families and how we have been living out our call to the family life.

Right from the time of the Second Vatican Council, the Fathers of the Church had always defined the family as the domestic church. It is from there that the primary evangelisation takes place. How have we been living up to this responsibility? The different members of the Holy Family have something to teach each of us.

Again, the different challenges faced by the Holy Family despite their life of holiness and purity and the presence of God-head among them tells us that we must not be discouraged when faced with difficulties because God knows our problems. It might even be more difficult for us the moment we opt to spend more time with God. Just remember that it was not easier for the Holy Family.

Moreso, the human nature was distorted by sin but the entrance of the divine into the human nature sanctified and reunited it back to the divine. So it is a celebration of joy and a call to cooperate with God in re-uniting the human nature to himself.

We must therefore follow the injunctions of St. Paul in the second reading and clothe ourselves as is fitting for Gods chosen people, holy and beloved to him (Col 3:12).

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, make our families like unto yours. Amen