By Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Gen 15: 1-6, 21: 1-3; Heb 11: 8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2: 22-40
Talking about the Holy Family appears to be idealistic. Coming from a family, my experience suggests that there is no perfect family. But that does not stop me from looking at the family at Nazareth as the perfect model for me to imitate. Holy family at the Nazareth is a reality and a justifiable model of perfection.
Mary and Joseph have enough reasons to grumble about the pains, difficulties, trials, sadness, troubles, brokenness, sufferings etc., but they stand still and look at God as if nothing has happened. They trust that nothing has happened without the knowledge of God.
As a religious, it is easier for me to talk about family matters; after all I am not going to have my own family. But I cannot deny the fact that I have a larger family to live with, which may offer more challenges as I am not bound by biological relationship. Here I am bound by ministry. My feeling of a family sometimes may be disrupted by external issues. In such cases, how do I reconcile
with my brethren? My love is centered on Jesus. My love for Christ is modeled in my readiness to understand, love, and forgive without conditions. God is to take upper hand in my life.
The families of Abraham-Sarah and Mary-Joseph were not of course perfect, but they learnt to balance their lives between hardships and faith. They had their own doubts and convictions, but what made them exceptional are their complete faith, obedience, and trust in God.
The two families I witness in the readings challenge me to participate in a family in which God is the foundation.