Today, the Feast of the Holy Family is an important feast as the model of the Christian family. But it is just as much about our own families as it is about the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. And just like our own families, they had their share of hardships. Let’s look back…
Mary became pregnant before she was married. Mary and Joseph had to leave their home when Mary was about to give birth. They had their baby in a stable. Joseph had to pack up his family and run off to Egypt in fear of the King killing their baby. Then when Jesus was around 12 years old, they lost him in the temple for 3 days. And finally, Mary had to watch her own son be crucified.
They had to overcome the trials and difficulties they encountered along the way. But their love and devotion for each other was strong. So, the idea of the Feast of the Holy Family is to help us reflect on our own lives and try to imitate the Holy Family in our homes. We have sorrows, doubts, confusion but should be inspired by the light of the Holy family. Their light encourages me to share peace, harmony, forgiveness and love in my family.
The story of John the Baptist begins the Advent Season by calling us to repentance and preparation… for the Lord our God is near.
Those two words mean different things to different people, but each of us has an obligation to look deeply into our heart and soul and test the waters of forgiveness and reconciliation as they apply to those we love. Is our heart and soul really at peace with those around us or is there yet more work to do in terms of our relationships with others? It is very hard to prepare for the “Way of the Lord’ when there is anger and impatience within us.
The season of Advent, much like the season of Lent, gives us an opportunity to reflect on how well we are prepared to receive Christ at Christmas. Each of us is called to sanctity and make holy a season and a time which has been so secularized. How can we blame the world for using the season to “hawk” its goods while we do nothing to raise the sacred profile of Christ’s coming?
I ask each of us to walk in the footsteps of John the Baptist and prepare the “Way of the Lord” which is our duty and our responsibility, since we too are baptized into Christ just as John baptized so many at the Jordan River.
The story of John the Baptist begins the Advent Season by calling us to repentance and preparation… for the Lord our God is near.
Those two words mean different things to different people, but each of us has an obligation to look deeply into our heart and soul and test the waters of forgiveness and reconciliation as they apply to those we love. Is our heart and soul really at peace with those around us or is there yet more work to do in terms of our relationships with others? It is very hard to prepare for the “Way of the Lord’ when there is anger and impatience within us.
The season of Advent, much like the season of Lent, gives us an opportunity to reflect on how well we are prepared to receive Christ at Christmas. Each of us is called to sanctity and make holy a season and a time which has been so secularized. How can we blame the world for using the season to “hawk” its goods while we do nothing to raise the sacred profile of Christ’s coming?
I ask each of us to walk in the footsteps of John the Baptist and prepare the “Way of the Lord” which is our duty and our responsibility, since we too are baptized into Christ just as John baptized so many at the Jordan River.