READINGS FOR THE HOLY FAMILY (YR C) SUNDAY 26TH DECEMBER, 2021
FIRST READING: 1 SAMUEL 1:20-22, 24-28
PSALM: 83
SECOND READING: 1 JOHN 3:1-2, 21-24
GOSPEL: LUKE 2: 41-52
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
I say a sincere welcome to all of you as we gather to celebrate this Holy Eucharist on the feast of the Holy Family. On this feast day, we celebrate with thanks the last Sunday of the year 2021. Today, we also celebrate together with joy in the spirit of Christmas the gift of the Holy Family and our own families.
Living in a generation where family life is becoming increasingly weighed down by exaggerated secularism, crisis of commitment and identity, selfish ambitions, insincerity, unforgiving spirit and power struggles, reflecting on the significance of the Holy Family becomes insightful and inspirational to behold.
The Holy Family refers to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is a significant role model to be imitated by all families.
In the Holy Family, we find commitment, faith, love, hope, sincerity, patience, endurance, respect, truth, letting go, trust and fear of God. We also see in the Holy Family the virtues of obedience, understanding, wisdom, compassion, tolerance, prudence, humility, kindness, gentleness, fortitude and temperance. Again, we find in the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph working hard to help each other. As a family, they understood and accepted each other and took good care of each other. They helped each other to grow in human knowledge and the knowledge of God.
Each family is called to be holy and genuine. Each member of a family attains holiness when he or she discharges his or her duties faithfully with total obedience on the power of God. Genuine family life according to St. Paul exists when everyone in a family is sincere, compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, truthful, patient and forgiving. (Colossians3:12-13)
We recognise that family life can sometimes become unbearable and challenging. These challenges can arise where there are unnecessary competitions and endless arguments between family members. In a family, where there are continuous arguments in an attempt to justify one’s behaviour, family life becomes disturbed and disconnected.
We can learn from the Holy Family how we can live together in harmony. We can achieve this harmony in our families if we are ready to humble ourselves to admit our faults and do our best to correct them. When we do this, the family becomes a happy one. When family members observe order in the family and live in harmony such a home provides the best environment for mutual living and communal faith development.
In line with this teaching, St. John reminds us that we are children of God the Father and members of God’s own family. John urges us to obey the greatest commandment of God: “Love one another,”. This will help us to remain united to God in the Holy Spirit. (1 John 3:1-2, 21-24)
The Church is a family. As members of the Church, we are also brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. We are urged to help and strengthen each other. We must do our best to live in harmony and peace with each other as members of God’s family. We are invited to live a life centred on God, with respect and love for each other.
May God bless our families with His grace to enable us to care for one another happily now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM