A Family, Holy and Human
“Let the peace of Christ control your hearts…” – Col 3:15
Many of us spent weeks preparing gifts and meals for our families and friends as we enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Being so involved in the process, we might have sometimes overlooked the meaning of what we were doing. The feast of the Holy Family offers the opportunity to take a breath and consider with gratitude what we have experienced with our families over the past month.
Today’s readings speak of children honoring parents and parents honoring children. They spell out how to care for an aging father and the blessings of walking in the ways of the Lord. Paul reminds us to act out of “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” He asks us to forgive one another as the “Lord has forgiven,” and to “put on love.” Any mother or father will tell you Paul knew what he was talking about. His admonitions are at the heart of strong family relationships.
Sirach’s words about being considerate of your father and taking care of him when he gets old makes me smile. How many times did I hear them and look over at my father in the pew as he winked at me. We always had a good laugh over these words until they eventually came true.
Over the years my family has seen relationships blossom and then unexpectedly shatter. Love has been shared and love has been withdrawn. Together we have learned from each experience. The family of Jesus certainly experienced these difficulties within their family. To be human is to falter at times. Knowing this makes praying real. I can talk to Jesus, Mary, or Joseph. I can take my concerns and misunderstandings to them in prayer.
We do a disservice to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph if we make them perfect. They were holy but holy and perfect are not the same. They lived among brothers, sisters, and cousins. They knew the complexities of family life. They had to practice patience, listen to each other, forgive each other, and let hurt feelings go. They surely lived with an awareness of God in their lives and turned to God for guidance when encountering a family difficulty.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph are a model for us because of their humanity. They were real people who lived in times much different from ours in terms of comfort but not so different in terms of relationships. Individually and as a family they connect us to God.
Let us spend some time in gratitude for the joys of this holiday season. Who did you bond with in a special way? What are the moments to cherish? Is there a family relationship in need of attention? Let us ask for the grace to explore it.
Anne Hansen