A Model for Our Families
In his homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, Year B, Father Hanly shows us why the Holy Family is a model for our families.
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
Every year, on the first Sunday after Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, which is very appropriate. Christmas can be described as a “Family Feast Day”, whenever we look at the manger, we see a father, his wife, and a newly born baby – a family.
Although this baby is the Son of God, it is God’s will that His son be born into a family and become a member of that family. In this way, God blesses and sanctifies every family.
Why do we say that family is so important?
There are many reasons: without a family, how could a child grow up? Even the Son of God, he is born, grows up and is nurtured by his earthly parents.
Another reason is because the development of society is built on the establishment of families.
However, although in the past agricultural society encouraged the advancement of family, there is a tendency in modern society to over emphasize the individual and neglect the family.
This is a major weakness of industrial society, which emphasises being productive and boosting the economy, and thus neglects the family’s needs. People in society are coerced to work for social progress, and subsequently forget the most important thing, that we should try our best for the family’s well being, to maintain unity of the family, to encourage harmony within the family.
This tendency is incorrect because a healthy society and national power depend on the development of the family. As the Chinese saying goes: first a family, then a country.
Therefore, society and individuals should work hard to first serve the family, respect the family, protect the rights of the family, and help the family to develop.
I think there is another reason why family is most important.
One day when I was chatting with a famous scientist, I asked which kind of school was most valuable to him: elementary school, the foundation of his knowledge; secondary school, where his knowledge flourished; or university, where he had the opportunity to research and experiment many new things.
The scientist answered: The most valuable school I have ever attended was – my own family. At other schools, although I learned a lot, it was in the family that I learned how to love others, without that, the rest of what I have learned would be of no value.
I think the scientist is so right. In the family we learn the most important lessons in life: how to care for others, to sacrifice ourselves and serve others, how to forgive and live in peace with others, to love others as Jesus loved us.
Why do we say that the Holy Family is a model for our families? Not because the condition of the Holy Family was ideal. On the contrary, it was not ideal, it was difficult, unstable and full of hardship.
We say that the Holy Family is a model for our families because when they are in trouble, they comfort each other, encourage each other and forgive each other. They trust in their Heavenly Father, and love one another to the very end.
Today during this Mass, let us pray that God will bless and help each member of our family to recognize the descent of His Son on earth, grant us dignity and the correct values, to respect each other, love one another, and live in harmony.
Finally, why do we say that the Holy Family is a model for our families?
It is because no matter what difficulties they encounter in their daily lives, together, they face them with courage, sympathize with each other, showing compassion and trust in each other, and most importantly, their faith in God grows stronger and stronger, so that family members can live together in peace and harmony.
Footnote: This homily was delivered by Father Hanly in Hong Kong in 1990.