The Holy Family

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3: 12-17

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Drawing attention to families around the world on the Feast of the Holy Family, 29 December 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis said that there are three key words to live in peace and joy within the family: “may I?” , “thank you”, and “sorry” – words that help lay the foundations of love, reconciliation, tenderness and mutual help and forgiveness.

His Holiness Pope Francis invited the faithful to join him spiritually in prayer for the upcoming Consistory and for the next Synod of Bishops which will focus on the theme of the Family.  The Pope entrusted the work of the bishops to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and recited this prayer:

Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

in you we contemplate
the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families, too,
may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel,
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-refugees-and-the-elderly-are-the-outc

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-prayer-to-the-holy-family

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This Feast of the Holy Family, celebrated so close to the end of the year 2013 and the beginning of the new year 2014, urges us to reflect on Saint Paul’s words to the Colossians (above).  Have we done a good job of following those instructions?  What can we try harder to do better in the future?

My initial response is to say “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa,” because I know that I have not always been patient, forgiving, kind or loving with the members of my family, near and far.  I’ve not always given my best to those closest, at home, in the community, or around the world.  But I am trying to do better, with the grace of God, and I ask "you, my brothers and sisters to pray for me."

“…Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body….”  Jesus desires that each of us feel His peace especially during the great challenges of our lives.  And not just feel His peace but share His peace with others.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph intimately understand the realities of family life:  the joys as well as the struggles are presented in Sacred Scripture as well as lived in our daily experiences.

“…Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God .…”  May this be a personal goal for each of us as we prayerfully discern and follow God’s will for all of our thoughts, words and deeds.  

Thanks be to God for the gift of family: parents, husband/wife, children, brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, and all those whose lives are entrusted to our care.  May we live together in holiness, peace and joy in the model of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

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