Learn the Faith of the Holy Family Humanity

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 31 December 2023
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Feast of S. Silvester, S. Melania
Gen. 15:1-6;21:1-3; Ps. 105:1b-2,3-4,5-6,8-9; Heb. 11:8,11-12,17-19; Luk. 2:22-40 (long) or Luk. 2: 22.39-40 (short)

After the joyful Feast of Lord Jesus’ birth, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Church calls the Nazareth family “holy” as Mary, Joseph, and Jesus truly commit to do God’s will. The Church expects that all families on the earth follow their way of life. When Christian families are asked to follow the Nazareth family, some may think that it is unfair to ask the Christian families to accept and make this Holy Family an example of family life. Why? He is Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary. Of course, He is an example. Mary, His virgin mother, is free of original sin from the moment of her conception. Joseph is a sincere man and obedient to God. They have no problems as the other families are experiencing at present time; no disobedient children, no alcoholic or rude spouse; and no family members separating due to working overseas. Overall, we are different from them.

Those arguments are accepted. However, the Holy Family members also go through human life. Mary was pregnant when she was just engaged to Joseph. Imagine what their neighbors would think about her and Joseph’s courage to care for her after encountering the angel in his dream. Imagine the hard trip to Bethlehem. Imagine when she gave birth, she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger (Luk. 2:6-7). Imagine when Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph, he prophesied to Mary of her Son’s fate and a sword would pierce into herself. They were so poor that they only offered the sacrifice of two young pigeons to the Temple. Imagine a young woman traveling overseas, which is Egypt as a refugee to protect her Baby. Think about the lost of Jesus in the temple and how Jesus reacted to His parents’ suffering.

Those stories affirm that the Holy Family from Nazareth didn’t have an easy, convenient, and beautiful life. However, they went through human life with faith and total obedience to God. From this human life, we can learn from them when we are in a difficult situation. We can look up to them on how to react in hardship; when we don’t know where we are or where we are aiming to; or when we don’t know our next challenge. The Gospel story shows how Joseph and Mary set an example to their Son, Jesus, by taking Him to the Temple and fulfilling the Law of Moses on Him (Luk. 2:22). Like other devout parents, Mary and Joseph raised their Son in the fear of God. 

In the context of education and faith, if a parent does not implement their faith, most probably their children will be impacted. Children may change over time due to their life experiences. However, we know that the example from their parents in raising them as a Christian plays an important role in their future. The spiritual experience of the parents can open the hearts and minds of the children to the Divine reality incarnated in Jesus. Prayer life strengthens the family bonding. When a family is centered on Jesus, the members can go through the challenges and crises of life. When children can pray on their own in their daily lives, they can easily feel the guidance of Jesus in their lives. Children can become good Christians and good citizens if they are educated with love, motivation, and discipline by their parents dedicated to religion and social values. We pray that the Christian families may pass on the faith and assist the young generation to grow in the wisdom of God. May Joseph, Mary, and Jesus be the intermediaries for our family so we can learn the faith of the Holy Family of Nazareth humanity. 

(RP. Silvester Nusa, CSsR – Lecturer of Weetebula Catholic University, NTT)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

For persons with disabilities
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society and that institutions may offer inclusive programs that value their active participation.

Climate change
We pray to have a grateful heart that God is willing to be a human living in this world and with this gratitude, we are encouraged to individually or collectively overcome the problem of climate change and environmental damage that is threatening this earth.

Amen.