HOLY FAMILY

God freely created without constraint as He made us in His image and likeness. He made us all come to this world and be part of a family. The family is the foundation and the fundamental cell of society. God's view of a family is beautiful. We have to live and act this out by giving to each other totally in our family as we express and receive it. Amen. Hallelujah!

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. 3 Whoever honors his father atones for sins; and preserves himself from them. 4 When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. 5 Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. 6 Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother. 12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not all the days of his life; 14 kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering-it will take lasting root.

Over the years, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and pureness. The olive tree and olives are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments. It is one of the first plants mentioned in the Bible, and one of the most significant. For example, it was an olive leaf that a dove brought back to Noah to demonstrate that the flood was over. The Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem is mentioned several times. Olive oil has long been considered sacred; it was used to anoint kings and athletes in ancient Greece. It was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples as well as being the "eternal flame" of the original Olympic Games. Victors in these games were crowned with its leaves. Today, it is still used in many religious ceremonies. Today's psalm mentions and compares children to olive plants. We have always been awed by such great affection a mother has for her child. We've seen a lot of things throughout time that attest to this. I am a mother myself and I have done things beyond my capacity because of how much I love my children. This love of mothers for their brood grows into something very special which explains why they are referred to or likened to olive plants around the table. Amen. Hallelujah!


Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
...your children like olive plants around your table.

It is always for the best to consult scriptures and be guided by it. Today's 2nd reading gives us good instructions as to how we become better Christians every day. As we constantly do this and develop in ourselves a love for it we will just be surprised as to how we will see the words of God take its form through our experiences and come alive in us. Amen. Hallelujah!


Colossians 3:12-21
12 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. 14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,...

Jesus is born in a family. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. We are reminded of the truth of the greatness and dignity of human family. We are invited to go back to Nazareth where Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived as a Holy Family and contemplate its sacredness and holiness. As we travel through life and encounter struggles in life that leaves us wounded may we always hold on to these values that the Holy Family teaches us. As Pope Benedict XVI describes the Holy Family as fully engaged in the desire to do the will of God and put the Kingdom of God first. We should imitate the fiat of Mary, "Let it be done according to God's word." and the obedience of Joseph as he was directed by an angel. It tells us to always commit to the family through its ups and downs. It demands sacrifice and heartfelt compassion. In humble obedience to this we can always call upon the grace of God in times of difficulty in order to endure and persevere. As Pope John Paul II said, human suffering clears the way for the grace that transforms. Jesus Himself lived as man and went through everything just like any human being. We can unite our sufferings with Christ and take on a deeper meaning to appreciate its value. Amen. Hallelujah!


Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
...He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”