Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14 / Col 3:12-21 / Luke 2:22-40
There are a couple of words that will stir the heart. And not just the heart, but also the mind.
It may just be words, but somehow there is a feeling to it, and it brings out some emotions in us.
One of those words is “home”. The other word is closely associated with it, and that is “family”.
Yes, home and family. Two words that will stir up some thoughts in the mind and some feelings in the heart.
And especially at this time, some of us may feel it more. Because of travel restrictions and other factors, we can’t go home and to be with family.
But it is also especially at this time, that home and family are very much in the focus because we are at home more often and we spend more time with family members.
Now, that should be a good thing isn’t it. After all, people often say that they wish to be at home more often and to spend time with family.
Well, there is always a flip side to things and some quirky comments have come up over this situation:
- My family is temperamental: half temper, half mental.
- What is the point of cleaning up the home, if these people are going to keep staying here.
- If I were to shake my family tree, I’m sure that a bunch of nuts will fall out.
But before we go too much into the quirky side of the family, let us remember that this weekend, the Church is celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family.
It is a feast that is very near and dear to us, because it is a celebration of who God is, who Jesus, Mary and Joseph are as family, what the Church is, and what we are as family.
God is family, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus came into this world and He was born into the family of Joseph and Mary.
The Church is a reflection of who God is and what the family is about.
And these profound aspects of life and love flows down to us and into our families.
Our families are to be like that of Holy Family, united in love, so that we can be signs of the unity and the love of God who is Trinity.
But we know how challenging family life can be and how difficult it is to love our family members.
In fact, the ones who can be the most difficult to love are the very ones who are closest to us, i.e. our family members.
They can be difficult to love and they can also hurt us the most. The most painful tragedy of the family is when resentment turns into hatred resulting in division and even violence.
And it can and usually start from small and petty things like dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Joseph could have thought: I don’t want any more dreams. I want a peaceful life. I’m tired of taking care of Mary and Jesus.
Mary could have thought: I did what God wanted me to do. How come life is not smooth and comfortable? I feel so insecure.
And if baby Jesus could talk, He might have said something like: This is not my idea of a crib. Couldn’t Joseph and Mary do better than this?
They could have thought that way, but they didn’t because they chose not to.
They chose to love and with love as their decision, they accepted each other and their situation and hence the Holy Family reflected who God is and what our families should be like.
Yes, never let resentment against family members lead us into sin. The sunset must not find us still angry. Do not give the devil his opportunity.
Rather with every sunrise, let us pray that the life and love of God will fill the hearts of our family members, so that united in heart and mind, there will be peace and joy, as well as kindness and forgiveness.
May the Holy family also pray for us, that we will have the strength and courage of Joseph, the tenderness and faith of Mary, and may Jesus protect our families from all evil and danger.