Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Yr B. Dec. 31, 2023
Readings
1st: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm: 125:1-5
2nd: Colossians 3:12-21
Gosp: [Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23]
Theme: Be Proud And Thank God For Your Family
My dear people of God, today's Liturgy celebrates the Solemnty of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Yr B. Our reflections would make a very brief attempt on what makes a Holy Family, in human sense. Let me hasten to say that Holiness does not mean total absence of challenges, trials and tribulations. Smooth sea does not necessarily make skillful sailors. Usually the Sunday immediately after Christmas is dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth. In a sense we could dare to call it an extraordinary trinity of persons. Each of them plays very ordinary roles in extraordinary ways. Joseph is reputed to be a subsistent carpenter by trade. He earns his living by mending ploughs and other farming assessories, yet he is special enough for God to send an angel to guide him from time to time to enable him faithfully carry out his duty as a foster father of the child Jesus and his mother Mary. Joseph is a model for all good, hardworking and responsible fathers. He protects and provides for the family from his meagre earnings. It is safe to presume that the future of the child Jesus is sincerely dear to his heart.There is Mary, her daily Yes involvong her in the ongoing care of God's Son. Constantly pondering and contemplating, she must have wondered silently about Simeon's words and other things that are said today in Jerusalem. We can rightly picture her ardently providing for Jesus all maternal love that every child needs for meaningful survival. Mary is also a model for all patient and caring mothers. She never understands everything but would remain faithful till the end. Her type are very few and, in fact, very scarce in modern times. Then, there is Jesus himself. Curiously, we would like and love to know what he was like when growing up as a boy and teenager. Luke's writings about Jesus contain nothing of a personal biography of Jesus. In their sterotype paleness (Luke's narratives) they express best what the hidden life of Jesus in Narazeth means - his insertion into our human conditions and limitations as a simple village boy. The expression "hidden" (as many writers often use) could be misleading, as if the boy Jesus has something to hide, growing up. Jesus must have been haunted by deep questions because they will all come out already when he assumes twelve and will seemingly get lost in the temple. Jesus also remains a model for all obedient, humble and loyal childen in human history.
Today's celebration should turn our gaze permanently on this extraordinary trinity of persons as a model for every family where parents work hard, support each other, understand, accept, appreciate and compliment each other. They bear eloquent witness to this responsibility by creating a home built by human hearts (not a house built by human hands) where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, charity, fidelity, honesty, truthfulness and a life of service becomes paramount. If the husband truly loves his wife and children he wins their favor in all things. If the wife loves, respects and supports her husband and nurtures her children, inculcate in them good ethical and moral values, the home becomes a better place to live in. If children obey and respect their parents, they receive blessings upon blessings because when they pray God would listen and they would live meaningful and long life. A good home is where children are raised with love, fear of God, respect for rule of law and deep sense of work as a sacred duty. A story is told of a couple driving home after church service with their ten years old daughter on the back seat. Looking through the inside mirror the father noticed the poor girl weeping ceaselessly amidst heavy sobs. "Jullie, what's up?" The supposed caring father asked. "Daddy, today the preacher insisted that children should live in Christian homes but I want to live with you". The poor girl replied. The rest of the drive home was in total silence. Where does your family live, in a HOME or in a house? May we be sincerely proud and thank God for all families that live in HOMES. We pray that something of the Holy Family may practically reflect in each. Please, continue to pray the Holy Rosary daily. God richly bless you and your family.
Rev. Fr. Thomas L. Debuo - Catholic Diocese of Damongo, Ghana. (0244511306/0243711926/0246222135)