A Deo et Rege

Normally the feast of the Holy Family falls on the first Sunday after Christmas, with one exception: when Christmas is a Sunday. When that happens, it falls on December 30th. So, today is the feast of the Holy Family. It got me thinking about the Holy Family and the feast in general. Here are my thoughts…

First, I don’t think any other major Christian communion celebrates this feast. I may be wrong on a local level (and invite examples), but officially I think I’m correct. So, this is a uniquely Catholic feast.

The feast of the Holy Family strikes me as extremely counter-cultural, especially in America in 2005. The family unit, which used to be the source of cohesion in society and culture (and the Church) has broken down. I don’t think we can even speak of "breaking down" anymore. The divorce, cohabitation, and out of wedlock birth statistics are alarming. Add to that the rates of pornography use, the abuse of children and the coverups, the casual acceptance of abortion, and an uncritical embrace of artificial contraception. People seem to be actively making war on the family unit, even if not intentionally.

There exists an even more subtle assault on the family as well: materialism. In fact, we could probably tie all of the above issues to this. American society tends to pursue greater material wealth at the expense of other blessings. Children (and even a husband or wife) tend to get in the way of pursuing material wealth. Casual sex and living together are much easier and cheaper than supporting a person through ups and downs and in sickness and in health. Paying for food and shelter for a child tends to take away money from the flat-screen TV or Hummer fund. Even in school, children are taught about careers and success and rarely is family life emphasized and if so, it’s in the context of limiting it: i.e. birth control.

And yet, this family unit, Mother, Father, and Child, is called holy. God created the family
and sanctified it through the Incarnation. The Catholic Church refers to the family as the "domestic Church" because it is the setting where our Faith and values are passed down. Also, the Church’s mission is lived out in the family from evangelizing to proclaiming the Good News. The failure in Catholic catechesis, while surely due in part to the parish and parochial schools, is probably rather a result of lukewarm and heretical parents who pass on a lukewarm and heretical faith to their children.

As a society, but more importantly as a Church, especially in America and Europe, we need to recover the value and emphasis on the family. This doesn’t mean denigrating the single life, but rather recognizing different vocations. It also means that parents, especially Christians fathers, must take a strong leadership role in both their own families and in the lives of the Church and community.

The Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus also provides an excellent example for families today. Although Mary was pregnant without Joseph’s participation, he nonetheless trusted her and in God. Although he was probably shocked and would’ve been subject to gossip and slander, he stood by his spouse and followed the will of God by raising a child who was not his own biologically. He also protected his wife and child when faced with persecution by taking them to Egypt. He lived chastely in following God’s plan for his spouse. Although young and probably scared, Mary boldly said yes to God’s will which resulted in the salvation of the world. She knew her "yes" would bring her sorrow and pain and it eventually took her to the foot of the Cross. And yet, she took the way of suffering by completely following God’s will.

The Holy Family serves as a model for all families. As 2006 approaches we need them more than ever.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, pray for us
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus and protector of the Church, pray for us
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us

Father,
help us to live as the Holy Family,
united in respect and love.
Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. (New St. Joseph Missal)

For more info:

All About the Solemnity of the Holy Family
Holy Family Prayers

Image of holy family and a very special father/daughter statue by Jonathan Bennett