This Sunday after Christmas we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. By celebrating this feast, our Church emphasizes the importance and significance of the family. Our Lord came into the world, but He was not sent into this world alone. He was given a family. As children of God, we are called to belong to this Holy Family.
     Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians in the second reading: “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.”  These words of St. Paul are rooted in love. This implies a family that would include Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, as well as the family of the Church.
     The Family: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were a holy family. Their holiness flowed from their faith in God. Again there is an emphasis on the mutual love in every aspect of family living. This applies to husbands, wives, and children. This holy family is a model of our own family and an example for all families.
     We see in the life of Saint Joseph that he was the protector of his family. We read in the Gospel of Mathew when Jesus was born, King Herod was trying to kill Jesus. Through His angel, God went immediately to St. Joseph as the protector of his family.
     We see in the life of Mary that she fed and nourished our Lord with her motherly care. She brought Him into our world through her obedience to God. God prepared her to be the Mother of God. New Year's Day is one of the Holy Day of Obligations to attend mass. We celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God on January 1st, 2020.
     Overall, Mary and Joseph lived their vocation of raising Jesus in faith and love. They were not looking out for their own interests, but were looking out for what was best for their family out of love. It is beautiful how in a family we can begin to more deeply grow in a relationship with God. We gather today come to the Holy Family and ask the Lord to strengthen us. We need strong families more than ever.
     Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph...Pray for us!