ON THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

A little boy greets his father as he returns from work with a question: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” The father is surprised and says: “Look, son, not even your mother knows. Don’t bother me now, I’m tired.” “But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour?” the boy insists. The father finally gives up and replies: “Twenty dollars.” “Okay, Daddy,” the boy continues, “Could you loan me ten dollars?” The father yells at him: “So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Now, go to sleep and don’t bother me anymore!” At night the father thinks over what he said and starts feeling guilty. Maybe his son needed to buy something. Finally, he goes to his son's room. “Are you asleep, son?” asks the father. “No, Daddy. Why?” replies the boy. “Here's the money you asked for earlier,” the father said. “Thanks, Daddy!” replies the boy and receives the money. Then he reaches under his pillow and brings out some more money. “Now I have enough! Now I have twenty dollars!” says the boy to his father, “Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?” Today’s feast has a message for this man and for all of us, and the message is that we need to invest more of our time in our family life.

When God chose to reveal himself, when he chose to reveal his great love to us, he did so within a family as to show us that the family is an icon of God; an icon of love. The feast of the Holy Family reminds us of the sacredness of the institution of the family itself. For the flourishing of human society, the family is not optional. John Paul II insisted as did the Church Fathers at the Second Vatican Council, the good of the society and of persons is affected by the healthy state of the family. In other words, healthy families mean healthy people and healthy societies. It should be obvious that much of the dysfunction that occurs in people’s lives, or in the life of society has its roots in the dysfunctions found in the misunderstanding in the families today.

As I said, for the flourishing of human society, the family is not optional. When God chose to reveal himself he did so within a family. He didn’t need Joseph to make Jesus for the Word became flesh in the Virgin. I am also sure that God had other means to come to us not necessarily through Mary. But God judged it necessary that Jesus be born in a family; that Jesus be raised by Joseph and Mary.

This makes it clear to us that the family is the path where children can best encounter and know God; it is a school of faith and of values; it is where the mutual self-giving and faithfulness of husband and wife provide a secure and protected home for children to best grow in virtue and to assume their own responsibilities as members of the society and as citizens of a country.

When I was a deacon I was in charge of accompanying young couples for the sacrament of marriage. I would ask the couple: what could be the best way to show their children that they love them. I would get many answers. Some would say to provide for them; others would insist to educate them; some would say give them good example or advice. All this, of course, is true. But, I would tell them that the best way to love their children was simply to love each other. The love the parents have for one another is the best way to show love to their children. And this love is best expressed in a permanent, faithful and fruitful relationship called marriage.

For this reason, the Church invites all families to contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth as a model; but also the Church invites all families to find in the Holy Family comfort and strength. Certainly the Holy Family knew hardship. They were homeless – for Christ was born in a stable; they were stateless refugees – for Joseph had to flee with Mary and the baby to Egypt (and you can be sure that Joseph didn’t wait to cross the border legally). Like all families, the Holy Family shared both joys and sorrows. During this holy Christmas season, Let us pray that our families may share in that love that was always present in the Holy Family of Nazareth.