Brothers and Sisters,
As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, let us reflect on the sanctity and the challenges of building a holy family. As the father, God gave Joseph the responsibility to care and protect for his family. Being the protector and father is not only a great responsibility but a great challenge as well.
Admittedly, it would be ideal to skirt around the dangers, challenges, fears, and pain along the road of life, but that does not always work toward the purpose and will of God. Joseph leaves before Herod’s threat is realized. He turns away from the new ruler’s threat both times avoiding bad things. But he did have to deal with uprooting the family. He had to start over in Egypt, then leave that behind for yet another start in Nazareth. None of that is easy, as anyone who has moved will attest. But it is in the tests of life that we grow closer and closer to God. We take our responsibility, work out the obedience in caring for our family, and converse with God about the good and the bad. Time after time, we build our trust as we obey more and more. Joseph demonstrates what our lives can be like when we surrender our fear to God, when we surrender the threats and what ifs, when we trust that He will be with us and never leave us or forsake us. Joseph realizes what the Lord is asking of him through the dreams, and he obediently and trustingly follows the angel’s direction. This is faith in action. The trust that Joseph demonstrates from the start of the scripture passage is the trust that leads his family. The story is an affirmation of God leading us and guiding us in our purpose to glorify him. He guides our hearts in all we do. We share with Him, and He leads us. This is how we cultivate a strong and deep relationship with our Lord.
May the love and peace of Christ’s birth reign in our hearts always.
Merry Christmas.
Deacon Howard
