Family
In this thought provoking homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, Year A, Father Hanly reminds us why family is so important.
Readings for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year A
- First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
- Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21
- Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Homily for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year A
Brothers and sisters in Christ, every year, the first Sunday after Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. It is appropriate to do so because we have just celebrated the birth of God, today we commemorate His descent to be a member of the human family.
If the descent of God unto mankind reflects the dignity of each of us, then God’s choice to be a member of the human family also shows the noble bearing of families. We must remember that this nobility of families comes from God as it is consecrated by God Himself.
Subsequently, everyone of us should regard the family seriously, be it the state, society and individuals, each should respect the family, protect its rights, contribute to its development, and work for the well-being of the family.
Today, let us ponder on the definition of family.
Thirty years ago, I lived in the countryside of Taiwan, it was easy for me to understand what a family was.
At that time, large families were most common : the grandfather, grandmother, their sons, their wives, and grand children all lived in the same house, what we described as “ several generations under the same roof”.
Then, they shared the same job, which was farming. They worked together, ate together, lived their lives together. Although there were many problems within the family, most big families were more united, bearing the same concerted effort.
Modern society is different; industrial society respects the individual, small families are the most common, large families no longer the norm. After marriage, children usually moved out to start their own families. People in a contemporary family do not share the same work as in the past. Everyone has their own job, pursuing their own career. Because of economic issues, more and more parents have to go out to work, entrusting their children to the care of grand parents.
Another thing, in the modern environment, families find it difficult to maintain unity within their home, family solidarity becomes more and more fragile. In some families, members only get together once a year, at the Lunar New Year. Therefore, living within a modern family is somehow insecure, divorces are many, people only focus on personal interests without much consideration for the needs of the family as a whole.
Frankly speaking, there are many advantages in the society that we have built : more freedom, economic prosperity, and educational opportunities for all. However, as far as the family is concerned, modern society does not render enough support nor encourage family unity, thus, many young people feel that starting their own family is only trouble and not worthwhile, that it is better to remain single.
Today’s feast day invokes us to give thoughts to the situation of our own family, how it is affected by various issues in our society, family pressure, whether generated from within or without. How to address family problems, how they can be solved, bringing unity to our family, pulling members closer. Because family is the starting point for everyone, irrespective if it is a big or small family, members living separately or together. Family life is the foundation of personal life.
Today the Church invites us to look at the family of Jesus, because the Holy Family is our role model.
If we looked at the Holy Family for the first time, we might think that they were very fortunate, most ideal, that it would be impossible for us to follow their example. But looking deeper, we could see that their situation were rather dreadful : financially, they were poor. According to today’s Gospel, the family members were engulfed by danger and evil right from the start.
When Jesus was born, they had to flee to Egypt, where they lived a very precarious life. When they returned, Joseph could not go back to his hometown, but to Nazareth in the north. There Joseph died when he was not too old, leaving Mary a widow.
Jesus grew up and began his public life. The Gospel says that at that time, His relatives and Mary’s did not accept Him, in fact, they opposed Him and even said that He was out of his mind.
At the end, He bore the Passion, while the relatives abandoned Him and His mother.
So we can see: the Holy Family went through all the trials that affect unity of a family. Who dares to say that the Holy Family does not understand the pain and suffering of our family. When we prayed, we prayed that they would help us : St. Joseph, Holy Mother Mary and Jesus would assuredly come immediately to comfort and help solve our family problems.
Why do we say that the Holy Family is the model for our family?
It’s simple: no matter what difficulties they come across, they face them with courage, compassion, love and trust in each other. Most importantly – their faith in the Heavenly Father is strong and powerful.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, although there is a lot of pressure in families nowadays, and many things threaten the unity, solidarity and harmony of the family, we have to realize that it takes only one tendency to destroy the happiness and harmony of a family – selfishness, caring only for oneself, being utterly inconsiderate to others.
Today, may God bless your family, that every member will experience solidarity and harmony within the family.
Footnote: This homily was delivered by Father Hanly at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Hong Kong in 1989.