The Holy Family
When we think of the Holy Family, we envision a young family made up of a mother, father and child. At the back of the upper church at Assumption there is a beautiful window that shows Mary sitting on stone steps spinning yarn. Joseph is trying to cut a large beam with an axe while young Jesus is handing him a saw. Father and son are likely working on a project that will be sold to support the family. The images depicted in the window demonstrate family unity, caring, protection, guidance, and love. We see the Holy Family as the perfect family. But this visual does not reflect the difficulties that even this perfect family faced. They too had struggles and obstacles to overcome, just as we do in our family lives.
In last week’s Gospel we learned of Jesus’ birth in a stable after a long and arduous journey. Joseph had accepted his role as Jesus’ foster father and Mary had accepted that she was carrying the son of God. Neither had planned for the changes in their lives, but they accepted them because of their faith in God.
In today’s Gospel we learned of a family in turmoil and distress. Joseph and Mary experienced fear as they searched for their lost son, the son of God. When they found him in the temple, He was bewildered by their panic and they were astounded by his knowledge and teachings. All of them had to step back and accept the changes that were happening.
Accepting change is not easy but must happen if we are to continue growing. Conflicts at holiday gatherings often occur as family members try to keep each other in their childhood roles. A family is a journey in time of births, deaths, weddings, graduations, successes, failures, happiness, sadness, togetherness, and even loneliness. It presents changes and challenges for its members. Children grow up, move on, and start their own families. Death, divorce, and adoption may redefine the family unit. It is love that enables us to negotiate, survive, and adapt to those changes.
When we think of our own families we should never forget those who came before us and the experiences that shaped them, the names we bear, the people we have become, the traditions we honor, and the customs we follow. Most likely our ancestors helped to form our values just as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up into the life and traditions of their cherished faith.
How does one define a family? Is it possible to have more than one family? Personally, I have the family I grew up with. I also became part of my wife’s family and we then raised our own family. I have a church family, and have been blessed with lifelong friends that became family. The things that all of those have in common are support, companionship, and trust. That doesn’t mean that we always agree, but it does mean that we have the one thing that God gave to all of us, unconditional love. As you leave church on this Holy Family Sunday, reflect upon those people in your life who have become, or have always been part of your family, and take a moment to thank God for them. As you begin a new week and a new year, add this resolution to your list: to love and appreciate your family.
