St. Joseph the Worker

Brothers and Sisters in Christ; Grace and Peace!

On this Last Sunday of the calendar year, the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of The Holy Family.  Today, the Church encourages us to look to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration.  All during Advent and then, most especially, at Christmas, we have seen God acting in the lives of Mary and Joseph, preparing them - and us - for the gift of the Christ Child.  Today, the Church especially wants us to reflect on the importance of family and God's plan for each and every one of our families.  As we look to the New Year, we remember again how the Holy Family radiated the love of God and how each of our families is called to do the same.  

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Within our first reading, Ben Sirach comments on the fourth commandment: "Honor your father and your mother."  He goes on to list the many blessings that accompany obedience to one's parents. Mindful of those promises, let us offer up our quiet performance of these duties as parents and children throughout our lives together. In the drama of today’s Gospel, we see the nucleus of the new People of God - the Holy Family - facing life or death challenges from those who would seek to destroy the Child and His Kingdom. We know that both parents labored hard, supported, understood and accepted one another, taking good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also divinely, as a Child of God.  Ultimately, the foundation of their family was their trust in God and their obedience to His leading.  What an example to follow! 

In looking to the Holy Family for inspiration, example, strength and encouragement, it seems an appropriate time to pray for our human and spiritual families. Yes, we need to pray for one another in our families, especially for those who are struggling. We also need to pray for our church family here at St. Joseph the Worker.  For most of us, our parents, grandparents, our children, all our relatives are somewhere else - spread across the country and even overseas.  So, "family" also means those who are in community with us here at the church, those we go to Mass with, those we volunteer with, those we catch up with over a cup of coffee, and those who share our joys and our sorrows.  Our human families support our parish family, and our parish family is called to support each of our individual families.  

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These can be challenging times for families. Marriage, children, commitment, fidelity, obedience, self-giving, holiness are not necessarily valued in the larger culture.  This Feast invites and encourages us to re-value family and to recommit to the values and virtues that make for a life-giving, loving marriage, and to a life-giving, loving family.  

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So, as we approach the altar on this most important feast, let us renew our commitment to our God-given duties as spouses, parents, and children - as family. These duties imply giving attention to one another, showing respect to each other, and keeping one another in our prayer. On this day, I want to invite all married couples and their families to renew their love and commitment to each other and to follow in the footsteps of the Holy Family. At Mass, I will ask all married couples to stand and will offer them a special blessing.

 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!