I offered this homily 3 years ago on the Feast of the Holy Family when our greatest joy personally was having Elizabeth home with us from college. Now she lives nearby, a teacher working close to home! Our joy this year was the pre-Christmas visit of #1 grandson Calvin with his parents, Jimmy and Sara! We even had all members of both sides of the family together for one exciting afternoon! Even with these great memories I am always reminded that families have their ups and downs. I hope this homily from 2010 can be of some assistance to you as we celebrate the Holy Family:
TV families have always intrigued me. As a young boy growing up in my family home I enjoyed watching shows like the Walton’s and Little House on the Prairie. Even today, in reruns, I enjoy these shows. But honestly, my favorite all time family show was about a very dysfunctional family in Queens, NY; All in the Family. There was something about good ole Archie Bunker that reminded me of so many adults I knew during my earlier years.
My family has been together for Christmas over these past few days and my wife and I are enjoying having our daughter home from college. One of the things we do is watch a couple of Christmas family movies, the Christmas story (you’ll shoot your eye out) and Christmas Vacation which just makes us laugh. And we also watch White Christmas together every year as a nice remembrance of one of my mom’s all time favorites.
I trust all of us have had some great family times during this Christmas season and cherish the gift of family.
Today the Church gives us the wonderful feast of the Holy Family, just one day after Christmas. As we read the Gospel of St. Matthew today we realize we are fast forwarding past the visit of the magi, which we will celebrate next week, and focusing on the family trials of the Holy Family. Yes, in the human condition, Jesus, Mary & Joseph are not immune from family concerns and difficulties. Herod is alarmed at the news of a newborn king, so he sets out to have Jesus killed. The angel tells Joseph what to do and the young family flees to Egypt. After Herod dies, Joseph, the loving and caring father, takes his family to Nazareth. Here the Holy Family would live and love and be together for many years.
Why did the Holy Family have to endure such challenges? Why did God just not make things easy and convenient for Jesus, Mary and Joseph? Could it be that the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies must be realized in this family drama? Is it possible that these events help us realize that Jesus is indeed the descendant of David as prophesized in Isaiah? Or quite simply, has God used the Holy Family to leave us a wonderful example of what every family must do? We certainly can learn about love and trust from the Holy Family and we can learn about total dependence on God from their obedience. If we think about it, the Holy Family is not holy because Mary & Joseph never struggled, never faced obstacles, never wondered what to do; the Holy Family is holy because they never lost faith and trust in God. Can we, in our own families, make that claim?
In our own family situation, can we imitate the love and concern for each other as the example of the Holy Family? If this question causes us to pause, and if it does that’s o.k., perhaps we can look to St. Paul whose letter to the Colossians tells us how we can be more like the Holy Family. His use of words like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love can be our guide. The church, then and now, challenges us to make our families the domestic church. Husbands and wives love each other, support each other, and pray with and for each other. Moms & Dads, love your children; show them affection and use discipline in a manner that will demonstrate your love. Children, love your parents, your brothers and sisters and be obedient.
And families make God first in your lives. Pray together! Can I suggest a prayer? The first mystery of the Rosary of the 7 Sorrows is this flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. Pray and reflect on their journey in the days ahead. Share meals together. Do something fun together. Make Jesus the center of your family life.
And in the week ahead, as a family, remember that we are still celebrating Christmas. As a family, approach the nativity scene and gaze upon our Holy Family as the example of our family. Do something special this week to keep Christmas alive and going, as a family.
You know, those crazy antics of Archie and Edith, Gloria and the meathead, were funny and provocative. But in the end, they really did put aside those family arguments and disagreements to love each other and stay together.
The Bunkers may not be the ideal example of family life, but Jesus, Mary & Joseph most certainly are. May we pray for the wisdom to follow their example and make God first in our family’s lives; and that’s truly All in the Family!
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