Sunday, December 29. 2024

Christmas is a time when we come together and celebrate as a family, so it seems appropriate that we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family on the Sunday after Christmas.
 
We don’t know too much about the family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus except that they were refugees for a while, they carefully followed the precepts of their religion, and Joseph was a simple carpenter who lived with his family in Nazareth. But it must have been a good family, because we are told Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
 
Family is important for shaping the “wisdom” of a child, not the book learning, but how to find true meaning in life. Some examples: how do parents settle differences? Do they argue and scream at each other? Do they throw things? Or do they discuss their differences, either coming to an agreement or agreeing to disagree in a way that is manageable?
 
Are the parents honest? If the family sees someone drop a wallet, do the parents pick it up and give it back to the person or do they take the money out of it? Are the parents truthful or always telling “little white lies”?
 
How important is faith in the life of the parents and the family? Does the family pray and attend Mass regularly?  Do children see that parents are happy and at peace because of a strong relationship with the Lord? Or is religion a perfunctory and marginal part of family life?
 
Many more examples could be given, but the point is made: while children ultimately decide for themselves how they will live life and what is important to them, what they see and absorb growing up has a profound influence on them.
 
As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, let us pray for all families, especially parents, that they may model true wisdom for their children. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, bless our families and help our parents impart true wisdom to their children.
 
Church sign: If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to.