Fr. Joeven Matugas, sx
When Every year we celebrate this feast, I always consider and think of my own family. It is because we are a large family. My father and mother gave birth to 12 children. We are one dozen children – six boys and six girls. Ten of my brothers and sisters are married. The dozen is now doubled. Plus my married siblings have their own children. Every year two or three have to be added. Every year our population increases. My parents now have 36 grandchildren. How are we to live to be holy ?
It is very difficult to answer. The larger the family, the greater the confusion and the disagreements. But being a large family is a lot better – it is interesting, funny and joyous. The blessed thing is that we all grew up and were molded with the Christian values. Within the family we really show love to one another. There is a gift of understanding and unity among us.
This year our Diocese has been celebrating the Year of the Family. And today`s feast marks the closing of this Year of the Family.
The Scripture contains many passages about Family , about the relationship of the parents to their children, the relationship between husband and wife.
That is why we Christians give much importance to Family Life. Because it is founded in scripture. More so, it is God who created marriage.
In today's celebration today, it is really the family of Jesus that is focused, our Lord and his parents: Mary and Joseph. They are a very good example of a human family on earth. In the gospel we see how Joseph takes care of his wife and the child to escape from the evil intentions of a bad king, according to the warning of the angel. I believe that Mary and Joseph taught Jesus well the values that should guide us.
As we end this year 2018, we have to acknowledge the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us through our families: our nearest kin, the families in the neighborhood, our spiritual family in the parish. We continue to ask the Lord for more blessings, that He may protect us always and keep His love alive in us.
We also remember and pray for those families who are in the midst of suffering: broken families, failed marriages, families who are victims of war and violence, families in refugee camps, families persecuted because of the faith. May the spirit of Christmas touch their hearts and give them comfort and consolation.
When Every year we celebrate this feast, I always consider and think of my own family. It is because we are a large family. My father and mother gave birth to 12 children. We are one dozen children – six boys and six girls. Ten of my brothers and sisters are married. The dozen is now doubled. Plus my married siblings have their own children. Every year two or three have to be added. Every year our population increases. My parents now have 36 grandchildren. How are we to live to be holy ?
It is very difficult to answer. The larger the family, the greater the confusion and the disagreements. But being a large family is a lot better – it is interesting, funny and joyous. The blessed thing is that we all grew up and were molded with the Christian values. Within the family we really show love to one another. There is a gift of understanding and unity among us.
This year our Diocese has been celebrating the Year of the Family. And today`s feast marks the closing of this Year of the Family.
The Scripture contains many passages about Family , about the relationship of the parents to their children, the relationship between husband and wife.
That is why we Christians give much importance to Family Life. Because it is founded in scripture. More so, it is God who created marriage.
In today's celebration today, it is really the family of Jesus that is focused, our Lord and his parents: Mary and Joseph. They are a very good example of a human family on earth. In the gospel we see how Joseph takes care of his wife and the child to escape from the evil intentions of a bad king, according to the warning of the angel. I believe that Mary and Joseph taught Jesus well the values that should guide us.
As we end this year 2018, we have to acknowledge the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us through our families: our nearest kin, the families in the neighborhood, our spiritual family in the parish. We continue to ask the Lord for more blessings, that He may protect us always and keep His love alive in us.
We also remember and pray for those families who are in the midst of suffering: broken families, failed marriages, families who are victims of war and violence, families in refugee camps, families persecuted because of the faith. May the spirit of Christmas touch their hearts and give them comfort and consolation.