The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Dec 26-27, 2015)

It’s always a blessing to be with so many families who gather to pray during our Christmas celebrations. Your presence at these liturgical celebrations helps all of us understand that when we speak of a Christian family, we are not limiting our focus to just our blood relatives or adopted families. Rather, we are embracing all those who believe in Jesus as the Christ.

So, it is fitting that just two days after celebrating the birth of Christ, we gather again to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. When I think about the Holy Family, my image of them is immediately reinforced by the icon presented in our stained glass window. It’s depicts a childhood image that many of us hold dear. It’s an image that portrays a sense of love and respect between the parents; and of love and respect between the parents and their child. It portrays a close knit family: a hardworking and protective father, a mother who holds all things in her heart, and a child who is beginning to discover his divinity.

I believe that it is more than appropriate that Jesus, Mary & Joseph have become identified not only as the model family but as a Holy Family. They allowed God’s scripture and personal revelation to shape their lives. They prayed for God’s direction, they listened for his response, and they discerned what God’s words meant for them. Their lives became a model of prayer, discernment, and obedience.

We are all familiar with their story and the events that shaped their lives. We know that, as a family, they experienced joy and sorrow just like any other family. Regardless of the situation, their faith in God never wavered. Their belief in a gracious God allowed them to press on even when they didn’t understand what was being asked of them or understand where the journey might lead them. It must have been unmistakably evident to others that the Holy Family not only believed in God’s providence, but they also strived to be of one mind with God.

For example, when Mary visited Elizabeth, “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” and “ blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Lk 1: 3-45). Growing in holiness does not require that we lead a perfect life; however, it does require that we set ourselves apart from worldly desires and dedicate our lives to God. As I gaze upon this assembly, I see a holy and blessed people. I see a people who are genuinely praying for God’s guidance. I see a people who understand that they are the present day disciples of Jesus and have charisms which will help build up the body of Christ.

Let’s never forget that there are an infinite number of people that God could create, yet he chose to breathe life into each of us. We are the people that he has specifically chosen to be part of his glorious creation. We are his present day disciples and have found favor with God! He has redeemed us and has delivered us from all that is not of him, so that we will belong to him in a special way. We are a gift from God to all humanity. A gift that God wrapped in holiness..

I’m sure that we are all aware of the saying “guilty by association.” Well, when we speak of holiness, we can similarly say that we are “holy by association.” Holiness isn’t something that can be earned - like a Boy Scout or Girl Scout badge of honor. It’s a gift from God that will: transform lives, inspire people to pray, and assist us as we discern, “where is God is asking us to minister today?” In times of turmoil, it will allow us to hear the quiet voice of God say, “This is the way. follow it!”

So, I encourage you to take God up on his offer. Begin a spiritual pilgrimage and discover what holiness means to you. Discover what baggage you must let go of in order to draw nearer to God. While you’re on that journey of faith allow love, compassion, kindness, humility and forgiveness to replace any anger, hatred, cheating, greed, and revenge that is consuming you.

I know that many people cannot embrace the concept that we can become a holy people. Yet, we must hold firm to and not waiver from the belief that God’s favor rests on his people. We will become holy because God is holy.

Mary and Joseph were two such people. We know that Mary was a Jewish maiden and Joseph, was a carpenter. They were two ordinary people simply going about their business when God chose them to help bring about the salvation of the world!. They became holy because they were deeply committed to their Jewish faith. They loved God above all else and they lived their lives with an expectant faith.

Their openness in accepting Divine direction inspired them to take extraordinary actions on behalf of all humanity. They placed their trust in God and God gave them the courage to overcome their fears and anxieties and enabled them to make difficult decisions not only for their immediate family but for the entire family of God!

The Church teaches us that holiness is indeed a genuine gift, but it’s a gift that will remain imperfect in nature until we are united with God in heaven. Those who desire to draw closer to God will naturally invite God to be part of their daily routine. They will develop an intuitive sense of what God is asking of them. They will embrace the gift of holiness and it will inspire them without fanfare, to do holy things - starting with prayer, discernment.

Those who walk with the Lord will grow in holiness. They will always choose life over death, love over hatred and freedom over enslavement. In times of turmoil, they will be blessed with an abundance of grace in order for them to persevere and remain firm in faith and strong in hope.

During this blessed and holy Christmas season, let us set aside some time to contemplate on what effects holiness has had, and will continue to have, on our lives. Let us remember that God chose each of us to be part of his creation. He breathed life into each of us and we are his present day disciples. Rejoice - knowing that we have been delivered from all that is not of God, so that we will belong to God in a special way. and allow holiness be the catalyst that advances us in wisdom and favor before God and man.