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Fr. Joseph’s Weekly Missive for the Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Year B
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December 28, 2023“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.” (Luke 2:22-24)
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Family and offer all members of our own families on the altar for God’s blessings. We are invited to reflect, not only upon the holy threesome who have figured so importantly in our salvation history, but also upon all families of humankind.
Unfortunately, the family ties have suffered over the past several decades. The evidence of relational weakness and decay is affecting everyone. Therefore, we should effect positive conversion and growth within family like love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, generosity, humility, honesty, trust, faith, sacrifice, respect, responsibility … to sustain and strengthen our family bonds, reverting the sinful result.
The love shared among the Holy Family offers us a witness and a challenge, requires us to look beyond faults and idiosyncrasies to discover Christ who lives in us, replace nitpicking, nagging and criticism with wise counsel, humbly offer encouragement and praise. Such is the love that becomes incarnate among us and which we revel in celebrating at Christmas.
God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to be transformed into God’s LOVE to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.
How can we help each other learn from the Holy Family and present our family to God?
Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.
