Homily: Feast of the Holy Family (C)
Luke 2:41-52
29 December 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez
Recently I read an article that says the population in Japan is declining. It is not unlike the problem in many European countries where there is a disproportion between the aging and the newborns. One of the reasons given for this phenomenon is the rapidly changing concept of family. Many young couples don’t choose to have children anymore. I did a bit of research and stumbled upon some responses to why this is so.
One girl said, “My husband and I don’t want to have kids yet mainly due to the cost of living. Work is tiring already and we just want to enjoy married life.” Another couple opted to be fur-parents instead: “We are almost forty (40) and life is good! The money we saved by not having kids has afforded us a ton of opportunities. We do whatever we want, whenever we want. We also both prefer dogs, and the three (3) we have are “plenty” fulfilling.” I was most disturbed by the response of one young father who even regretted having a son! “To have a kid is to open Pandora’s box. I didn’t want kids and my wife did, so we had one child who is now two (2). I love him but I hate parenting. I’m just not built for it. I feel trapped because I love my son and want the best for him but I miss my old life so badly. There’s no going back and you just keep going because you love your kid. I’m also always anxious — terrified of all the things that could happen to him. I worry about so many things that would not bother me if I didn’t have someone who depends on me like my wife and child do.” Do any of you relate to the situations I just mentioned?
The Holy Family we read about in today’s gospel presents a very different picture from the growing realities of today. Mary and Joseph were entrusted with a great responsibility. They were to raise the Son of God, no less. Just imagine what it must have been like to be Jesus’ parents. Contrary to what we were told as kids, Joseph wasn’t much older than Mary when they married. Hence, as a young couple, they would have felt totally inadequate for the task having never raised a child of their own. Like every parent, they learned on the job. They were not perfect. In fact, in the gospel passage we are told that they lost Jesus after bringing Him along to Jerusalem! Imagine their panic at the possibility of having lost the Son of God! They must have been relieved beyond measure upon finding Him in the Temple days after He went missing.
Life was not perfect for them either. They were not a rich family. Joseph had to work as a carpenter to make a living for his family. He and Mary also prepared themselves for the eventuality of Jesus leaving their home when the time came for Him to fulfill His mission. Through it all, they were never known to grumble nor did they abandon Jesus when life became difficult. Despite the stress of their situation, we can picture them as holding onto each other even more closely. They did not rely on their limited capacity to raise Jesus but instead they trusted that since God chose them for this tremendous task, He would also help them to accomplish the task. They persisted in God’s grace and walked into the mystery of God’s plan for their son, Jesus. Despite their own reservations and personal questions, they united their hopes and dreams with God’s plan for the salvation of humanity.
As Christians, we must still hold the image of the Holy Family as our ideal. The model they present is one that is grounded on love and a genuine concern for one another. They embraced necessary sacrifices and chose to overcome the uncertainties of life together, always seeking the well-being of one another. These days, people tend to prioritise themselves — their wants, their needs and their convenience. They will consider family life only if they can twist it into something that suits their lifestyle, instead of making adjustments to welcome this sacred situation. Our constitution acknowledges the family as the “basic unit of society” — basically, the building blocks of a nation. It is how populations are safeguarded and where one learns what is to be human and part of a society. The Church considers the family a “domestic church” where people learn about Jesus, share the same faith in Christ and grow together into the people God intends them to be. Family is not something to be shunned as an inconvenience and a hindrance to one’s dreams and ambitions. It is where you build new dreams, grounded on love, with the spouse you choose and the children you have. Each and every family, no matter how imperfect, is still blessed by the very fact that our Lord Jesus, Himself was part of a family throughout His entire human experience.
On this feast day of the Holy Family, we thank God for our families. Just as God entrusted Mary and Joseph with His Son, He has entrusted us with a family to nurture and love. To those who are married and have children: treasure the gift of your spouse and your children; do not be discouraged when your family goes through struggles. Life is never perfect. We simply need to pray to God for guidance, patience and understanding. Let us make it a habit to always pray with one another and for one another as a family. Amen.
Sunday Gospel Reflections 