Sunday, December 27
The Holy Family
Colossians 3:12-21
Put on love. (Colossians 3:14)
Everyone knows that family life is a combination of happiness and sadness, with a lot of the ordinary in between. But what about the Holy Family? Surely there was nothing but peace and happiness?
Not really. Life wasn’t always a bed of roses for them. Remember Joseph’s initial plan to divorce Mary to protect her from shame when her pregnancy was discovered (Matthew 1:19)? Or Mary having to give birth in a stable (Luke 2: 1- 7)? Or what about Mary and Joseph losing track of their Son on the way home from Jerusalem (2:44)? They also had to deal with Herod’s murderous rage, a secret flight to Egypt, resettlement in Nazareth, and Joseph’s early death. All of these occasions, and more besides, could have filled them with anxious, fearful thoughts. In similar circumstances, we certainly would have felt tempted to wish for an easier life.
But whatever Mary and Joseph and Jesus thought about their struggles, one thing is clear, they never gave up. In their faithfulness and trust – and even more so, in their commitment to love one another – they show us how to weather the storms of life. Love; that’s what makes a holy family. Not the sentimental love of songs and movies, but the strong, relentless, stubborn love of God. The divine love that the Spirit pours into our hearts (Romans 5:5). The selfless love that bears all things, hopes all things, and forgives all things. The pure love of a God who became one of us and died to save us.
No family has a perfect life. Every family faces hardships of one sort or another. But every family also has a heavenly Father who loves them and delights in teaching them how to love each other. So on this feast of the Holy Family, let’s pray for our families, and for every family on earth. May we all learn to “put on love” (Colossians 3:14)!
“Father, pour out Your merciful, healing love on every family today.”
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128: 1-5
Luke 2:22-40
Daily Reflections from “The Word Among Us”
Recorded music remains the property of the Artists/Writers.
No ownership is implied
Our Hymns:
Angels We Have Heard on High
The Huron Carol
Adestes Fideles
Joy to the World
