1 Samuel 1.20-22, 24-28/ Psalm 84.2+3,6+7,8+9/ 1 John 3.1-2, 21-24/ Luke 2.41-52
We celebrate today the Feast of the Holy Family. It is a time when we can reflect on our own family life in the light of what we consider as Church’ ‘First Family,’ the Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph.
In the context of our Christian life/church life, parenthood is a vocation anchored in the sacrament of marriage. Along with the promise of fidelity and love between husband and wife, parents are also called to lead their children in faith. In the context of our celebration today, we have a Holy Family that serves as a guide towards building/creating a Godly family.
In the first reading we see Hannah offering her son Samuel in the temple of God. The first reading expresses that a child is a blessing from God to parents. It is only right that they (children) be molded as a true child of God.
The message of the first reading therefore brings us to understand the vocation of leading children in a life of faith. Blessed are the parents who raise their children to the knowledge of God, therefore realizing a vocation of becoming a person for others too. Shaping children to be merciful, helpful and loving is a godly way of raising children. Having respect for parents and honoring elders are just few signs perhaps of having Godly ways of rearing.
The Church invites us to contemplate on the Holy Family. May the Holy Family be our true example, inspiration, and source of encouragement in family life. The Holy Family is an example in which parents worked hard, worked together, accepted and understood each other, and raised a child not only to grow-up intelligent and to have secured economic life, but also to truly acknowledge that he/she is a child of God, loved by God, and is called to love others.
May our home be a home not like a courthouse but like a confessional.
Let us pray that there will be love and care for every member of the family. Likewise, may there be true love and peace for every member of our church in the parish and in the church at large. May every family be blessed as we welcome the New Year.