Fr. Erik Tjeunfin, sx
We are still in the Christmas season and each one of us celebrates in a way that can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and bring joy to our brothers and sisters especially our family. Today is the Holy Family Sunday, an occasion to look at how God worked through a family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus Christ, our Savior. In our belief and history of the salvation, we see how God creates divine institution (family) where man and woman live in communion. He calls and works through a certain family to save His people. There are many joyful moments where the families enjoy but at the same time there are many challenges which bring disappointment and betrayal to God and his people. However, God respects, guides and forgives their sins and redirect the families.
In the Gospel of today, we see clearly how Mary and Joseph followed the will of God to rescue their family especially baby Jesus from danger. Joseph, man of God, got up from his sleep and took the family to refuge. Joseph and Mary are always ready to do God’s will for the sake of their family especially baby Jesus. From the beginning of their family, they experienced joy but also fear to build their family. God chose and brought them together but hardships cannot be absent from them. Because of their sincere compassion, kindness, humility and patience they successfully going through many challenges and built their family.
In our experience, we noticed also how God united our parents to live together and born us. We should be grateful to have our parents and live in a family. God has a holy and beautiful purpose for it. There are ups and downs living in a family. Like Joseph and Mary, many parents try their best to rescue their families from poverty, violence, sickness etc. They sacrifice themselves just to make their children live in a good condition. Many of them died before they enjoy the fruits of their works for their children who are successful now. We recognized also that many families experienced betrayal among the members, disunity, corruption, home violence etc. As a result, some children are left behind and experienced broken home and suffer emotionally father and mother wounds.
As we celebrate Christmas today especially Holy family, let us remember our family. God blesses our family and uses it to build His Kingdom. Every family should imitate the holy family (Joseph, Mary and Jesus). Through the first and second reading today, we are advised to cloth ourselves in compassion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, respect and love so that each member of our family can feel at home. God values and honors our family and has a purpose for it and for each member. Christmas is a celebration of family; let us be thankful for our family despite its weaknesses. Amen.
We are still in the Christmas season and each one of us celebrates in a way that can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and bring joy to our brothers and sisters especially our family. Today is the Holy Family Sunday, an occasion to look at how God worked through a family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus Christ, our Savior. In our belief and history of the salvation, we see how God creates divine institution (family) where man and woman live in communion. He calls and works through a certain family to save His people. There are many joyful moments where the families enjoy but at the same time there are many challenges which bring disappointment and betrayal to God and his people. However, God respects, guides and forgives their sins and redirect the families.
In the Gospel of today, we see clearly how Mary and Joseph followed the will of God to rescue their family especially baby Jesus from danger. Joseph, man of God, got up from his sleep and took the family to refuge. Joseph and Mary are always ready to do God’s will for the sake of their family especially baby Jesus. From the beginning of their family, they experienced joy but also fear to build their family. God chose and brought them together but hardships cannot be absent from them. Because of their sincere compassion, kindness, humility and patience they successfully going through many challenges and built their family.
In our experience, we noticed also how God united our parents to live together and born us. We should be grateful to have our parents and live in a family. God has a holy and beautiful purpose for it. There are ups and downs living in a family. Like Joseph and Mary, many parents try their best to rescue their families from poverty, violence, sickness etc. They sacrifice themselves just to make their children live in a good condition. Many of them died before they enjoy the fruits of their works for their children who are successful now. We recognized also that many families experienced betrayal among the members, disunity, corruption, home violence etc. As a result, some children are left behind and experienced broken home and suffer emotionally father and mother wounds.
As we celebrate Christmas today especially Holy family, let us remember our family. God blesses our family and uses it to build His Kingdom. Every family should imitate the holy family (Joseph, Mary and Jesus). Through the first and second reading today, we are advised to cloth ourselves in compassion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, respect and love so that each member of our family can feel at home. God values and honors our family and has a purpose for it and for each member. Christmas is a celebration of family; let us be thankful for our family despite its weaknesses. Amen.