Feast of the Holy Family
By Fr. Victor Feltes
Modern popes (including St. Paul VI, St. John Paul the Great, and Benedict XVI) have reflected upon and recommend the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as a model, an example, for all Christian families to contemplate and learn from. This morning I wish to share some insights for children and parents, husbands and wives, drawn from the Holy Family. First, a reflection on Jesus in relationship to his parents.
The Archangel Gabriel told Mary at the Annunciation, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Then, when an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream he said, “[Mary, your wife,] will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus…” And St. Luke records that indeed, “when eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus…” So Jesus was named by both Joseph and Mary, though his name originated with God. Adam was given authority in the Garden of Eden, reflected by him authoring the names of his wife Eve and all the animals. Jesus’ mother and foster-father were likewise given authority over him, and Luke writes that Jesus “was obedient to them.”
We just heard Sirach’s words that “God sets a father in honor over his children; [and] a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons,” and we heard St. Paul urging “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.” St. Paul notes elsewhere that amongst the Ten Commandments, “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” And Sirach observes that those who revere and honor their parents receive many earthly and heavenly blessings.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “as they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents. They should anticipate their wishes, willingly seek their advice, and accept their just admonitions.” It says, “obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the children; [but] not so respect, which is always owed to them.” And “as much as they can, [children] must give [parents] material and moral support in old age and in times of illness, loneliness, or distress.” Jesus supported his parents in the Holy Family. St. Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death because Jesus and Mary would have comforted and cared for him on his deathbed. And one of Jesus’ final deeds before he died on the Cross ensured that his widowed mother would be cared for.
This Sunday’s Gospel reading offers husbands and wives another valuable reflection from the Holy Family. After the Annunciation, the Gospels record no more angelic messages being given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her husband, Joseph, however receives multiple messages through dreams. First, the angel of the Lord tells Joseph not to fear receiving Mary his wife into his home. Then, as Herod is poised to hunt down the Christ Child, the angel tells Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. Once Herod dies, the angel directs Joseph to take them back to the land of Israel. Finally, once Joseph has led his Holy Family back to Israel, he is warned in a dream not to live in the region of Bethlehem (Judea) and decides instead to resettle back up north in Nazareth.
Those messages from heaven came to the leader of the Holy Family, and Mary had to trust and entrust herself to Joseph. Joseph was called to servant-leadership, loving his wife and their child self-sacrificially, even as Christ loves the Church. Mary, in turn, was called to be subordinate to her husband, like a priest to his bishop. Of course, I am not obliged to obey my bishop in things that are immoral or irrational, but otherwise the Lord wills me to be obedient to him as my leader. I can voice my personal preferences to him and I ought to raise my concerns with him, but the ultimate decision and responsibility falls to him. Likewise, St. Paul writes, “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.” And elsewhere St. Paul teaches in the Spirit, “As the Church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.”
Children and parents, husbands and wives, may all of us learn from the Holy Family as our example. And may their prayers beside the throne of God the Father gain us abundant graces to be great and fruitful saints in their likeness.
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