DATE : 27/12/2020, the First Sunday of Christmas Year (B)
EVENT : Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Feast).
COLOUR: WHITE
READINGS : Gen. 15:1-6,21:1-3; Resp. Psalm 105:1-2,3-4,5-6,8-9; Heb.11:8.11-12.17-19; Luke 2:22-40.
THEME: WHAT LESSON CAN WE LEARN FROM THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this First Sunday of Christmas which we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " What Lessons Can We Learn from the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph". Beloved, before proceeding with today's homily, I would like to congratulate and welcome you to this last Sunday of the year 2020. I know that this year is not the best of year for most individuals and families, but we continue to give thanks to God for at least sparing us to witness this day in the land of the living, I pray with Joel 2:25, that in the coming year, the good Lord will bless us exceedingly and repay all that the locust ate from us in 2020.
Beloved, like the Psalmist sang in Ps. 133:1, "Behold how good and pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell in peace and unity". I make bold to say, Behold how even more good, pleasant, admirable and enviable it is, for family members to live in love, peace, harmony, trust, tolerance, patience and understanding. This love and peace which exist in family life, come and draw strength from the pure and undilute love which exist among the Godhead. Thus, dearest in Christ, the family is the bed rock of every society, for from it, relations, clan, community, tribe, and nation emerge. Now, since the family is the first and oldest divine institution, it is apt that Jesus begins his mission of sanctification from the very core of society, namely, the family. Thus, Jesus choose to be incarnated into a human family to show us the dignity and importance of family. Moreso, the basis of family is the union for life of one man and one woman, who cease to be two individuals but one flesh (Cf. Gen. 2:23,14), not necessary for procreation, but for companionship and love, and this is also open to the blessings of children.
Child of God, the various readings of today, present us with different aspects of family life. In the first reading, Gen 15: 1-6, we see how Abraham trusted in the promises of God, and embarked on a journey which he neither knows where it will lead him. He was also ready to sacrifice anything to God, even his son Isaac, as can be seen in the Second reading of Heb. 11:11-12. All these qualities which existed imperfectly in Abraham and Sarah, found perfection in the Family of Joseph and Mary. Thus, Joseph trusted Mary so well not to be a flirt or unfaithful even after discovering she was with child. How many men can do that today. Like Abraham, Joseph also believed and followed the instructions of the Angel, when he took Mary and escaped to Egypt. Finally and most importantly, both Mary and Joseph loved themselves dearly and were ready to make sacrifices and accept the pains of marriage, when they had to squeeze into an Inn to deliver the child Jesus in a manger. They were also ready to endure the sorrows and hurts that may come in family life, when they carefully listened to all that Simeon and Anna said about the future of the child Jesus in their arms.
Beloved, as we celebrate with joy the feast of Holy Family today, I wish to say to you, family life is a journey with unknown destination, it is a sacred institution coming from God, it is a blessing that comes with responsibilities, it is a path to holiness, and a call to share in the divine action of creating and sustaining life. Thus, a family without Christ will definitely have crisis, a family without Christ is anything but holy, for it is only with the presence of Christ in a home that holiness and peace can be achieved. So, as we celebrate this feast today, let us not allow the enemies of family life such as divorce, indivudualism, distance, lack of communication, prayerlessnes, migration, and LGBT tendenciea, to triumph over authentic and admirable family life that Christ Jesus has blessed us with.
Do not be afraid for you will be remembered in my priestly prayers throughout this month. God bless you
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you sanctified the union of Mary and Joseph with your presence, as we celebrate your nativity this period, may you also grace our life and family with your divine presence........
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......Amen
HAPPY HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY BELOVED.
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
No comments:
Post a Comment