The Fest of the Holy Family: Sunday, December 28, 2025

 A MODEL FAMILY: THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy  Family and the feast of all families. As we read in the Gospel, the Holy Family had their share of troubles and problems. As soon as St. Joseph got the message from God through a dream, he had to leave Bethlehem with Mary and child Jesus and flee to Egypt. Because Herod wants to kill child Jesus. In our times of pain and turmoil, we often think why do bad things happen to good people? In those times, remember that the Holy Family suffered too. God did not shield them from hardships and pain. Rather, He let them have the strength of character to bear it. Through them, He is telling us that He will not turn His back on us when we find ourselves in critical situations in life. 

First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 2 to 4 and 12 to 14

Second Reading: Colossians 3: 12 to 21

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 13 to 15 and 19 to 23

   *First reading is from the book of Ecclesiasticus. An advice is given to children of all ages to honour their parents. Honouring  father and mother is a must for all children. They are asked to take care of their parents in their old age and to show kindness and mercy even when the elderly are lacking understanding. There is a promise of reward to those who take care of their parents. The children who respect and obey their parents are in fact giving glory to God and storing up spiritual treasures for themselves. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Colossians. Paul gives a description of an ideal (model) Christian family. Love is the binding factor of Christian family life. Compassion, meekness, kindness, and mutual respect and forgiveness are hallmarks of a good family. Paul advices the members of every Christian family to love and respect one another and have concern for one another.  

Crisis in the Holy Family: Flight to Egypt                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The Holy Family at Nazareth is often portrayed as a model for all ideal and blessed families. But unfortunately, it was not a place of total peace and tranquility if we assumed it to be so. Joseph and Mary and Jesus had their share of struggles, misunderstandings and problem. In the Gospel, St. Joseph gets a message from God through a dream that he has to leave Bethlehem with Mary and child Jesus immediately because King Herod is planning to kill the child. They leave Bethlehem in a hurry and flee to Egypt (probably to Cairo) Many families ask today, "How can we identify with the Holy Family?" Mary was a virgin, Joseph a celibate, Jesus the Son of God. Yet, is it really that difficult to identify with a family on the run? With a husband and wife struggling to get water and food on the way side. A couple, without any valid papers to cross over to the frontiers of another country? A family living in Cairo ghetto for several years, who did not speak the local language? They knew what it was to deal with poverty, uncertainty and sudden changes. Their closeness to God did not erase the terrible heat and the freezing cold of the desert's various moods. All they could do was to trust in the providence of God. On the feast of the Holy Family, there are a few lessons for us from the this model family: 1. Holy Family gives us encouragement, inspiration and great example to face various challenges in our family life. 2. That all families are called to be holy. Husband and wife attain their holiness when they discharge their duties faithfully trusting in the promises of God. 3. That when confronted with challenges and problems, blame game is not the solution but rather the readiness to listen to each other with humility and love and going forward in faith in God leads to good family life. 

Conclusion: St. Paul in his letter to Colossians says: "Put on then, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearing one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you. Above all these, put on love which binds everything." These advises by Paul are very much relevant even in the 21st century. 

May the Holy Family: St. Joseph, Blessed Mary and Lord Jesus bless you and all the families everywhere and strengthen you to follow the example of the Holy Family in your life. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, December 28, 2025." Thanks.)