This time of year presents us with many beautiful opportunities to reflect on the life of the Holy Family. This Feast of the Holy Family commemorates the life and love that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph shared, but we also remember them at Christmas. Think about the great love and joy that Mary and Joseph experienced at the birth of their son! This was no simple family vacation though, for they had to place all of their trust in God. When Mary was first approached by Gabriel she had to trust in God’s promise that the newly conceived child would be the promised Messiah. Joseph, in turn, had to trust Mary about this miraculous conception. Joseph was also asked to be the protector of a child who was not fully his, but with a grace-filled heart he loved Jesus as his own. In protecting his family, Joseph had to trust when an angel told him to flee to Egypt away from the vengeance of Herod.
We may, ourselves, experience struggles within our own families, especially as college students returning home for an extended break during the holidays. The Holy Family provides us with a perfect model of trust and love. In all that we do we are called to trust in God’s promises and His will, just like Mary’s “yes,” especially as we proclaim the Kingdom of God to our loved ones around us in our simple words and actions and to those we do not yet know, as Jesus taught people in the temple as a child while his parents searched for several days to find their son.
Today we are the ones searching; we hope to find serenity and love in our busy, worldly lives. Again and again God calls us to trust. As beloved adopted sons and daughters we are a part of this holy family. All we need to do is to run to the arms which once held Jesus close in tender and loving embraces, as a child and also after the crucifixion, as our salvation was won for all of us.
God Bless you and your families this holiday season.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
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