The Feast of the Holy Family
                                                   of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
                                                                                 December 31, 2023
                                                                                                                   Fr. José Maria de Sousa Alvim Calado Cortes, F.S.C.B.
                                                                                                                                                                     Pastor of the Church of St. Peter
                                                                                                                                                                          North St. Paul, Minnesota

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Sunday Reading Meditations
 

"Blessed are those who fear the Lord"

Today, we are invited to look to the Holy Family of Nazareth as a model and inspiration for our own families.  The fact that Jesus had a family shows us the importance of his institution in God's plans.

In today's Gospel, we heard that the Holy Family was under attack by Herod, who saw them as a threat to his power.

At every moment of history, the family has been under systematic attack in the Occidental world.  The spirit of this world has always hated the family.  Divorce, abortion, gay "marriage" etc. are examples.

All families face many problems, not only those caused by the dominant mentality but also normal situations that happen to everyone.

If we look at the Holy Family, we see that they, too, had problems from the beginning: Mary's mysterious pregnancy, the conditions under which Jesus as born, persecution by Herod, the flight to Egypt and the loss of Jesus in the Temple.

"Blessed are those who fear the Lord."

What can we learn from the Holy Family?  We can learn how they faced their problems.

"Blessed are those who fear the Lord."

During every moment of their lives, the Holy Family feared the Lord.  The recognized the God was greater then any of their problems.

A kind of wisdom comes when we recognize God above all things.  No problem is an absolute.  All problems are temporary.  Every situation is relative.  God is greater than everything.  That is human!  However, we are called to have the same attitude of heart as that of the Holy Family.

This approach simplifies life.  God is simple and we are complicated.  It is difficult not t succumb to difficulties.  We easily forget that God is greater than everything.  That is human!  However, we are called to have the same attitude of heart as that of the Holy Family.

In my experience, prayer, the sacraments (Eucharist and confession), the support of the community and the opportunity to tell another person what is happening help me understand that God is greater than any situation.  It is very important to hear the point of view of someone we trust.

"Blessed are those who fear the Lord."

The fear of the Lord is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.  We need to ask and pray for this gift.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, help us to recognize the merciful present of the Father in whatever happens to us.  Help us to understand that God is greater than everything else!.  Amen.