Holy Family

God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. 

My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins—a house raised in justice to you. (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14)

Today we celebrate The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Today’s first reading seems to be about Joseph, Jesus’ father, apart from his divine conception.   We hear so very little about Joseph, but he must have been very instrumental in Jesus’ up-bring and the man he became.  That is the role of all fathers although many fail to fulfill that obligation to the detriment of the child or children they fathered.  Nevertheless, “God sets a father in honor over his children…kindness to a father will not be forgotten,” as hard as that may be for some of us, perhaps many of us.

In a way, the Holy Family is like the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – Joseph, Jesus, and Mary who conceived through the Holy Spirit.  This Christmas season we must think of all our families as holy and treat them as such – even the dysfunctional ones of which many of us may be a part.    

Deacon David Pierce