Reflection for December 29

The Holy Family, located in Holy Family’s Main Conference Room

Luke 2:41-52

π“π‘πž π…πžπšπ¬π­ 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐑𝐞 𝐇𝐨π₯𝐲 π…πšπ¦π’π₯𝐲

The family is the foundation upon which society, perhaps even humanity, rests. We all come from family; each of us has a mother and father. These fundamental relationships between spouses, parents, and children shape us, and our world, deeply.

God gave the family its dignity, its high place among creation because, within the family, there is tremendous potential to learn who God is. From family, we can learn unconditional love, selfless sacrifice, and life-giving care. We can see into the heart of the Trinity.

However, the possibility for such greatness comes with the possibility for great hurt. Most of us have felt the pain that comes from broken family bonds, whether through loss, abuse, rejection, neglect, or toxic relationships. But, as always, God does not leave us to carry this weight alone.

We have been sent the Holy Family. When we look upon the faces of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, we see a model of family life, but there is more waiting for us. The Holy Family is meant to be our family as well.

Mother Mary showers her maternal love upon us as we journey through this life. For those without mothers, she is there. For those struggling as mothers, she is there. Now and at the hour of our death, she is there.

Saint Joseph protects us fiercely, just as he protected the Christ child. He intercedes for our families, for fathers, for stepparents. We entrust our homes and our lives to his fatherly prayers.

In our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we find salvation, hope, and new life. The suffering we endure, the brokenness we face, and the reality of death loses its power in the face of God-made flesh.

Each of us is invited into this holy family.

π»π‘œπ‘™π‘¦ πΉπ‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘¦, 𝑀𝑒 π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘π‘’π‘™π‘œπ‘£π‘’π‘‘ π‘“π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘–π‘’π‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’. 𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑒𝑠 π‘‘π‘œ β„Žπ‘’π‘Žπ‘™ π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘  π‘œπ‘“ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘“π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘¦ π‘‘π‘¦π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘π‘ . π‘Šπ‘’ 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑑 𝑒𝑝 π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘“π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘¦ π‘šπ‘’π‘šπ‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘€β„Žπ‘œ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘£π‘’ π‘“π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘’π‘› π‘Žπ‘ π‘™π‘’π‘’π‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ β„Žπ‘œπ‘π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘. π΄π‘šπ‘’π‘›.

Haley Judd

Caelie Flanagan