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FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY Today we are here to celebrate the feast of “The Holy Family.” All the Scripture Readings of today reflect on the virtues of a good family and they also challenge us that we are called to make our family a holy fami-ly. This feast presents before us the holy fami-ly of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as model for us.

Today’s Gospel reading descr ibes how Joseph and Mary took the child Jesus to the Temple to present him to the Lord according to the Law of Moses. The Gospel presents to us this family as holy family. We always imagine that the Ho-ly Family must have been an extremely happy family without its ups and downs, problems and difficulties. In fact, the challenges faced them right from the very beginning, after the engagement marriage was about to break off, during the en-rollment they had no place to stay, after the birth of Jesus king Herod wanted to kill Jesus, their flight to Egypt, the foreign land. The prophecy of Simeon "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Mary and Joseph experienced un-just condemnation of their only son Jesus and crucifixion like a criminal. The disciples left Jesus and went their own way. But the hope gave this family to bear all the pains and sufferings. Complete trust in God and complete surrender to the will of God gave them the courage. What happens to us when we face some problems? Now, why is it that we call this Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph “Holy?” This family is holy because it has the total faith in God and complete surrender to the will of God. The first reading and the second reading give us guidelines for making our own family a Holy Family. In the first reading Sirach reminds children of their duty towards their parents. He also mentions the five-fold rewards which God promis-es to those who honor their father and mother. They are “riches,” long life, For-giveness of sins, God’s prompt answer to prayers and God’s blessings.

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In the second reading St. Paul reminds the Colossians how they can make a family holy, pleasing to God. “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.” Again St. Paul adds, “Put on as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and forgive one another. And over all put on love.” These instruction of St. Paul is applicable to all the families in this modern world. The main purpose of the Feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families. We can learn in the example of the Holy Family that, despite all our failures and difficulties, we too are called to become 'holy' through living out God's word, total faith in God and complete surrender to the will of God. This feast reminds us to make a home built and knit with love. Pope Francis says “Holy Family is mirror of relationship enjoyed in the Holy Trinity.” The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. Try to look at the image of Holy Family. Where is Jesus in this little family? Jesus is in the center and Jesus is in front. Keep Jesus in the center of your life and keep Jesus in front and lead the life as we begin the New Year soon.

Fr. Angelus Minj