The Family of Nazareth, a School of Life
The Holy Family
“Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.”Ps. 84
When the Virgin of Fatima revealed to Lucia that the final battle of the enemy in the world would be against the family, it was barely comprehensible. Today, unfortunately, we understand it all too clearly, as we find ourselves in the midst of a battle against the family.
The family and life itself are being attacked and bombarded relentlessly from all sides, without mercy. Media and movies portray countless distortions of the family as possible realities, even including animals and other aberrations. Moreover, abortion is celebrated and demanded as a human right, alongside euthanasia, assisted suicide, and similar practices aberrations indeed.
Movies and worldly trends continuously promote a vision that opposes faith and life, portraying pregnancy as a misfortune and leading people to consider abortion, readily available to anyone who requests it. It seems that Satan has acquired many instruments in this world to spread deception and death; hence, Jesus referred to him as a murderer and the father of lies.
This starkly contrasts with God’s loving plan, which is nothing less than the affirmation of natural law and the Ten Commandments for our well-being. We would be happy and live in paradise if we followed them. The model of family desired by God is exemplified in the Holy Family of Nazareth, where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph show us how to live in obedience to God’s will. This allows them to experience peace, harmony, love, and joy-the deepest desires of our souls.
It is possible to live as citizens of heaven, for although we are in the world, we are not of the world. This involves following God’s instructions as given in today’s Word:
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive each other when grievances arise. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect unity”Colossians 3:12ff
As this year ends, let us take stock like companies seeking to prosper; reviewing our gains and losses, successes and mistakes, to correct errors and improve. We learn through stumbling and falling, but what matters most is that we learn and avoid tripping over the same stone again. It is essential to know how to rectify. “Examine everything; hold fast to what is good”, God asks of us.
The Holy Family shows us that it is possible to live life in harmony, peace, and love, even amid the adversities and challenges we face, if we live trusting in God and always united to Him.
Weekly Readings
Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (see a)/ 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52
Monday: 1 Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10/Lk 2:36-40
Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Ps 96:1-2, 11-12, 13/Jn 1:1-18
Wednesday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67:2-3,5, 6, 8 (2a)/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
Thursday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4/Jn 1:19-28
Friday: 1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6/Jn 1:29-34
Saturday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9/Jn 1:35-42
Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (see 11)/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
Observances for the Week
Sunday: The Holy Family
Tuesday: St. Sylvester I, Pope; New Year’s Eve
Wednesday: Mary, The Holy Mother of God, New Year’s Day, World Day of Peace
Thursday: Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Friday: The Most Holy Name of Jesus
Saturday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
Next Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord
