The Feast of The Holy Family
Readings: Ecclesiasticus 3:2–6, 12–14; Psalm 127(128):1–5; Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23
30 December 2022
“Happy are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” Psalm 127:1
It is sometimes said that the Holy Family is from another era, no longer relevant to contemporary families in the modern world. In fact, the opposite is the case. Surely faithful families can find great encouragement and strength to persevere in their often-heroic struggle of daily family life from the Holy Family who suffered similarly in an intolerant and hostile society. The Holy Family is not simply an ideal—even less a social, political, human or ideological construct—but God’s promise to every family that despite the heartbreaks and difficulties they often face, and the many hostile forces seeking to undermine them, they can grow and flourish if they remain faithful to God’s divine plan for them by following his commandments and teachings as revealed in sacred Scripture and the Church, and by living in harmony with the pattern laid out for us by the Creator for marriage and family—where love is honoured, the human person respected, and a culture of life reverenced from natural conception to natural death.
The Holy Family, in which the incarnate Word chose to dwell among us, is God’s pledge to every family of his grace and strength, especially those who find life a struggle. God did not promise freedom from suffering and tribulation—as all families through their own experience know only too well—but he did promise to walk with them in those very sufferings and tribulations, and to strengthen them as they strive to make him the foundation of their lives and the heart of their homes: the domestic church in which they live out their noble family vocation of life and love.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us, and all our families. Amen.
Fr Christopher G. Sarkis
Fr Christopher G Sarkis is the parish priest of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Rosemeadow, in the Diocese of Wollongong. He was ordained in 1985 and has served in several parishes in the diocese. His current diocesan appointments include the College of Consultors, Council of Priests, and Clergy Remuneration Fund.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, Incarnate – Advent & Christmas Daily Reflections 2022. Reproduced with permission.
