Family First

Family First

In this thought provoking homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, Year B, Father Hanly reminds us why family must come first.

Readings for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year B

  • First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
  • Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
  • Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21
  • Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

Homily for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year B

Brothers and sisters in Christ, every first Sunday after Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. It is appropriate to do so.  Whenever we see the Christmas babe, we understand our true value in God’s eyes: that for our salvation, God is willing to be born unto us, thus demonstrating the dignity of humanity and the sacredness of life. 

Today, the Feast of the Holy Family does not emphasize an individual, but the organization of a family.  Just as God’s descent unto mankind reflects the true value of man, the dignity of humanity, so God’s choice to be a member of a family shows the greatness of the family.  By doing so, God Himself blesses each family and sanctifies it.

This concept should be taken seriously, especially by people of this era. Nowadays, there are different view points in society.  Some say the individual comes first, the family follows.  Others say family comes first, the individual does not matter much. Still others say the needs of society and the country is most important, the needs of the family and individual come second. 

Today’s gospel teaches us not to neglect the importance of the family. Although we have great responsibility to the nation, society and the individual, the family is as important.  The family is the backbone of the country, pillar of the society and the basis of an individual’s life.  

Subsequently, society and individuals should work hard to serve the family, respect the family, protect the family’s rights and interests, assist the family’s development, and strive for the family’s well-being.  If the family is healthy, happiness of society and individuals will follow. 

There is a Chinese saying: “A family is the foundation of a nation”, which means that if we want to build a strong nation, we must first manage the family well. 

Once the well-being of a family is neglected, unity of the family shattered, and when harmony within the family is discouraged, what else can society and individuals rely on for progress?  We must sacrifice ourselves for the peace of the family.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we always say that parishioners should follow the example of the Holy Family, because it is the model for our families. What exactly do we mean?

The Holy Family had enough problems of its own. 

Remember, they were poor, the family faced a lot of difficulties:  the only son did not have a proper birth place, it was at a manger.  

At his presentation to God, Simeon told his mother : “..…because of this child…… you yourself a sword will pierce”.  

Then, because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus, the parents had to depart from their country, relatives and friends, and escape to Egypt in the middle of the night, there, living as refugees.  When they returned, they could not go back to their hometown, but went up north.

As Jesus grew up, his parents did not fully understand his mission. His mother was widowed at a young age, and even Jesus left her. 

Finally, and most tragically, the mother watched her only son rejected by his own people, and crucified to death, as though he was an atrocious criminal …

Footnote: This homily was delivered by Father Hanly at the Wah Fu Mass Centre of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Hong Kong in 1984.