St Paul writes to the Ephesians: "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ” (5:21)
Today we celebrate the Holy Family comprised of the child Jesus, Blessed Mother. Together, they model a Christian family focused on both “human and supernatural virtues.” May the patterns of love and mutual care in this house of Nazareth elevate the love and peace in our own homes.
Dearly Beloved,
Wishing you many graces and blessings on Today's feast of the Holy Family: Blessed Mother, St Joseph, and the Christ-Child.
May God strengthen you in your vocation either as Husband, Wife, Father, Mother, son or daughter.
One factor you may have noticed about the young Holy Family is their travels. They had to travel because of outside forces (Census, Herod Antipas). Nevertheless, they were guided by the Holy Spirit in their travels. To recall the life of the Holy Family means that we need to travel with them. So today, we have the opportunity to travel with the Holy Family. And today I will be your tour guide.
EGYPT
Our first location of travel with the Holy Family is Egypt. Egypt is known for the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River. Today, Egypt also houses a museum where you could see King Tut's tomb, Egyptian mummies, and artifacts.
Egypt helps one to recall the story of Moses and the Exodus event. Through Moses, God reveals his power over the Egyptians through the ten plagues. When Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt, God safely brought them out of Egypt via the parting Red Sea.
In Egypt, the Hebrews had their first Passover. Houses that have the "blood of the lamb" on their doorway, the Angel of Death passed over their homes and spared their family. Inside their homes, they ate a lamb that was roasted. Subsequently, every Passover recalls how God secure freedom for the Hebrews. The Holy Mass is the Passover of Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."
During the time of the young Holy Family, King Herod wanted to find the child and end his life. So the Holy Family finds refuge in Egypt. In Egypt, the Holy Family re-lives the story of Moses, the Passover, and the Exodus Event in Egypt.
Good questions to reflect upon: "When I'm on the spiritual journey, what are some things that interrupts my life? What are some things that are stumbling blocks to serving Christ in my local parish? When others are in need of help, can I be a place of refuge for them, as Egypt was for the Holy Family.
NAZARETH
Our second location of travel is Nazareth. Nazareth is in the northern area of Israel. Nazareth is close to the Sea of Galilee where the disciples were called to follow Christ. The Holy Family spends the beginning of their lives in Nazareth. Nazareth is a poor and impoverished city, known for its corruption and immorality.
In the Gospel, Nazareth is spoken of with great disdain: “Can anything good come from Nazareth? At Nazareth, the Holy Family found refuge after Egypt. Very little is written about the childhood of Christ when the Holy Family was in Nazareth.
Nazareth as a metaphor is the hidden life. The young Holy Family dwelt in Nazareth and worshiped God without anyone watching them. The Holy Family were faithful and devoted to God, regardless of any eyewitnesses.
Good questions to reflect upon: Can I be a good disciple of Christ in public (visible before others) and in private (when no one is watching)? Am I only a good person only because I want to make a good impression on others? Am I disciple of Christ in and out of season? Do I pray and live in accordance with the God's commandments and statutes, day in and day out? Nazareth helps us to be disciples that are authentic and people of integrity.
BETHLEHEM
Our third location of travel with the Holy Family is Bethlehem, the City of King David. Bethlehem in Hebrew means 'House of Bread.' It is aptly named because Christ is the "Bread of Life" for the world. In Bethlehem, after the birth, Christ was laid in a trough where animals fed. It is a sign of him becoming the Sacramental bread for all of humanity. This is re-presented at the Holy Mass.
But in Bethlehem, King Herod repeats the Exodus event. Just as Pharaoh slaughtered the children to control Hebrew population, King Herod will do something similar, hoping to rid the Christ-Child.
When King Herod massacred the Holy Innocents, it was a sad time in Bethlehem. We live in a sort of Bethlehem today. King Herod is still living today when certain norms are accepted that puts children in the womb at risk. Herod still wants to go after the children. But through personal conversion, we can stop him. So that human life is always respected and dignified.
JERUSALEM
The fourth location of travel with the Holy Family is Jerusalem. Jerusalem means the City of Peace, but it is not a peaceful city. Many battles have been fought in this city. Jerusalem houses the temple of God, but not after 70AD because it was destroyed by the Roman Empire, except for the Wailing Wall (Western Wall).
Today, Jerusalem is still conflicted politically and religiously. Nevertheless, it is the place where Christ died on the cross.
In Jerusalem, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph presented the Child in the Temple. They were greeted by two prophets: Simeon and Anna. Simeon couldn't die until he saw the Christ-Child. Anna spent most of her time at the Temple praying for the redemption of all the Nations. Both are blessed that they finally saw Christ in their midst.
For the Hebrews, Simeon and Anna are images of hope. God will always make things better. God will remain faithful to the covenant.
But like Abraham, it requires faith and trust in God. Our First and Second Reading praises Abraham, Father of Faith, because he trusted in God. Abraham and Sarah desperately wanted descendants of their own. So that their family line could continue. It was unlikely for them to have descendants because they were advanced in age. But God looked with favor upon them and blessed them with Isaac.
In a conversation between God and Abraham, God told him to look at the sky the stars in the sky. God promised that His descendants will be numerous like the stars. When we hear this story, many of assume that this conversation between God and Abraham took place at nighttime. But the conversation may have taken place during the day. During the day, Abraham couldn't see the stars, but it doesn't mean it's not there. His trust in God is put to the test.
Today we have the privilege of traveling with the young Holy Family on pilgrimage to these different locations. There is much to learn about these different places and the different people that they encountered. Some were kind and hospitable to them, some were not, and some treated them as mere strangers. But during the Holy Family's journey, despite the trials and difficulties, they always trusted in God. They were never without hope. May you have an increase in the virtue of hope. May God bless you on this Feast of Holy Family.
Today we celebrate the Holy Family comprised of the child Jesus, Blessed Mother. Together, they model a Christian family focused on both “human and supernatural virtues.” May the patterns of love and mutual care in this house of Nazareth elevate the love and peace in our own homes.
Dearly Beloved,
Wishing you many graces and blessings on Today's feast of the Holy Family: Blessed Mother, St Joseph, and the Christ-Child.
May God strengthen you in your vocation either as Husband, Wife, Father, Mother, son or daughter.
One factor you may have noticed about the young Holy Family is their travels. They had to travel because of outside forces (Census, Herod Antipas). Nevertheless, they were guided by the Holy Spirit in their travels. To recall the life of the Holy Family means that we need to travel with them. So today, we have the opportunity to travel with the Holy Family. And today I will be your tour guide.
EGYPT
Our first location of travel with the Holy Family is Egypt. Egypt is known for the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River. Today, Egypt also houses a museum where you could see King Tut's tomb, Egyptian mummies, and artifacts.
Egypt helps one to recall the story of Moses and the Exodus event. Through Moses, God reveals his power over the Egyptians through the ten plagues. When Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt, God safely brought them out of Egypt via the parting Red Sea.
In Egypt, the Hebrews had their first Passover. Houses that have the "blood of the lamb" on their doorway, the Angel of Death passed over their homes and spared their family. Inside their homes, they ate a lamb that was roasted. Subsequently, every Passover recalls how God secure freedom for the Hebrews. The Holy Mass is the Passover of Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."
During the time of the young Holy Family, King Herod wanted to find the child and end his life. So the Holy Family finds refuge in Egypt. In Egypt, the Holy Family re-lives the story of Moses, the Passover, and the Exodus Event in Egypt.
Good questions to reflect upon: "When I'm on the spiritual journey, what are some things that interrupts my life? What are some things that are stumbling blocks to serving Christ in my local parish? When others are in need of help, can I be a place of refuge for them, as Egypt was for the Holy Family.
NAZARETH
Our second location of travel is Nazareth. Nazareth is in the northern area of Israel. Nazareth is close to the Sea of Galilee where the disciples were called to follow Christ. The Holy Family spends the beginning of their lives in Nazareth. Nazareth is a poor and impoverished city, known for its corruption and immorality.
In the Gospel, Nazareth is spoken of with great disdain: “Can anything good come from Nazareth? At Nazareth, the Holy Family found refuge after Egypt. Very little is written about the childhood of Christ when the Holy Family was in Nazareth.
Nazareth as a metaphor is the hidden life. The young Holy Family dwelt in Nazareth and worshiped God without anyone watching them. The Holy Family were faithful and devoted to God, regardless of any eyewitnesses.
Good questions to reflect upon: Can I be a good disciple of Christ in public (visible before others) and in private (when no one is watching)? Am I only a good person only because I want to make a good impression on others? Am I disciple of Christ in and out of season? Do I pray and live in accordance with the God's commandments and statutes, day in and day out? Nazareth helps us to be disciples that are authentic and people of integrity.
BETHLEHEM
Our third location of travel with the Holy Family is Bethlehem, the City of King David. Bethlehem in Hebrew means 'House of Bread.' It is aptly named because Christ is the "Bread of Life" for the world. In Bethlehem, after the birth, Christ was laid in a trough where animals fed. It is a sign of him becoming the Sacramental bread for all of humanity. This is re-presented at the Holy Mass.
But in Bethlehem, King Herod repeats the Exodus event. Just as Pharaoh slaughtered the children to control Hebrew population, King Herod will do something similar, hoping to rid the Christ-Child.
When King Herod massacred the Holy Innocents, it was a sad time in Bethlehem. We live in a sort of Bethlehem today. King Herod is still living today when certain norms are accepted that puts children in the womb at risk. Herod still wants to go after the children. But through personal conversion, we can stop him. So that human life is always respected and dignified.
JERUSALEM
The fourth location of travel with the Holy Family is Jerusalem. Jerusalem means the City of Peace, but it is not a peaceful city. Many battles have been fought in this city. Jerusalem houses the temple of God, but not after 70AD because it was destroyed by the Roman Empire, except for the Wailing Wall (Western Wall).
Today, Jerusalem is still conflicted politically and religiously. Nevertheless, it is the place where Christ died on the cross.
In Jerusalem, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph presented the Child in the Temple. They were greeted by two prophets: Simeon and Anna. Simeon couldn't die until he saw the Christ-Child. Anna spent most of her time at the Temple praying for the redemption of all the Nations. Both are blessed that they finally saw Christ in their midst.
For the Hebrews, Simeon and Anna are images of hope. God will always make things better. God will remain faithful to the covenant.
But like Abraham, it requires faith and trust in God. Our First and Second Reading praises Abraham, Father of Faith, because he trusted in God. Abraham and Sarah desperately wanted descendants of their own. So that their family line could continue. It was unlikely for them to have descendants because they were advanced in age. But God looked with favor upon them and blessed them with Isaac.
In a conversation between God and Abraham, God told him to look at the sky the stars in the sky. God promised that His descendants will be numerous like the stars. When we hear this story, many of assume that this conversation between God and Abraham took place at nighttime. But the conversation may have taken place during the day. During the day, Abraham couldn't see the stars, but it doesn't mean it's not there. His trust in God is put to the test.
Today we have the privilege of traveling with the young Holy Family on pilgrimage to these different locations. There is much to learn about these different places and the different people that they encountered. Some were kind and hospitable to them, some were not, and some treated them as mere strangers. But during the Holy Family's journey, despite the trials and difficulties, they always trusted in God. They were never without hope. May you have an increase in the virtue of hope. May God bless you on this Feast of Holy Family.
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