Holy Family 28 December 2025
When God created the human race He also created marriage. Adam and Eve had no choice but to marry each other; but then again they would have wanted to do that, as each had many perfections (before the Fall).
God's will in establishing marriage was to propagate the human race, for one thing, and to give His children a framework in which to learn about everything important in life. In family life we learn lots of things, such as to give as well as receive.
God teaches us how to live in community; how to put up with the faults of others; how to learn to be unselfish, as we come to realize that the world does not revolve around me.
Family is character-building. Many things could be called that, but family would have to be near the top of the list.
Love one another, as I have loved you, said Jesus (Jn 13,34).This refers mainly to agape love which is working for the good of the other person. Not very romantic but very useful. This is the love all Christians must have for others.
Family life should teach us to shed selfish behaviour and find a corresponding generosity. We forgive those who trespass against us.
So much of the New Testament addresses this point. Cf today’s second reading: forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. (C0l 3,13)
We have the Holy Family to inspire us and teach us.
It might be said, we cannot live life like they did. But we can get closer to them, and close enough to be able to say we are living in the light of the Gospel. The immense holiness of that family can overflow to other families seeking something better.
If every house in my street is fighting and falling apart all the more do I seek to do things God's way. We can make it a lot easier if we just try to get the next thing right.
The role of the traditional family is questioned today. As it is based on the nature of God, the family will always exist, for better or worse!
The Church has always asked of families to nurture their children in faith, for the sake of those children and also to benefit the Church into future generations.
It takes a long time for a baby to turn into an adult, to find and apply their many gifts.
We cannot stand and watch a tree grow, but we notice when it has grown.
This is another lesson from the Holy Family: they had their moments of having to move quickly (Flight into Egypt), but most of their life was hidden and unspectacular. Waiting for the ripe time, then following perfectly the will of God.
This tells us that we do not expect fireworks every day; most of what happens is slow and almost invisible. But look what the Church is now, and trace that back to the Annunciation and a stable in Bethlehem.
Read the signs, and respond. Those who rebel against God and His designs will find only frustration.
If we hold firm to trust in God, even if we do not know what is coming precisely, we will see better days.
We see the difficulties; we do not admit defeat. We keep before our eyes the Holy Family, drawing all that is good from them.
We pray for family life, for all the crises which have to be navigated; for a clearer understanding of Church teaching on faith and morality, both within the Church and in the wider society. Most of all for that agape charity which is so central to all other aspects of life.
Jesus, have mercy on us; Mary and Joseph, pray for us.
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