Is Our Family Holy?
As 2025 comes to an end and the New Year 2026 quickly approaches, the
Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This
feast provides an opportunity for reflection and renewal, encouraging us to
embrace the values of family. The Holy Family serves as a model, not of a
“Happy Family” or “Lucky Family,” but of a “Holy Family” that overcomes life’s
challenges through faith, love, and commitment.
Today’s readings focus on the core values that should guide our interactions
within families. The first reading from the Book of Sirach speaks of the
importance of honoring parents and the spiritual blessings that come from such
reverence, “Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself
from them,” reminding us that family bonds enrich both physical and spiritual life.
A family is more than a group of people living together; it is a sacred unit where
each member plays a crucial role in caring for and supporting one another.
In the Gospel, we see a vivid portrayal of the challenges that the Holy Family
faced. Through these trials, they demonstrated strong faith, a trust in God and a
close bond with each other. This story encourages us to handle our own family
struggles with grace and patience, turning to Mary and Joseph as our
intercessors. With perseverance and love, we too can maintain harmony and
unity amid life’s hardships. As we reflect on the past year, let us consider the
core of our own family relationships and allow the example of the Holy Family to
motivate each of us to nurture values like compassion, kindness, and forgiveness
at home. While challenging, with perseverance and faith, families can become
places of comfort and strength. By welcoming Jesus into our lives, families can
serve as beacons of hope and channels of the Good News.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we look toward 2026, let this feast be a fresh
start for positive change. What small choices can we make today that will nurture
a more loving and supportive family environment? As we think about the words
of the Scriptures and the legacy of the Holy Family, may we each feel inspired to
build a family that reflects the love of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Whether it’s
gathering for a family dinner, attending Mass on Sunday, opening up about
feelings and dreams, or sharing moments of joy as well as worry, every effort
helps create a happy, harmonious family.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and healthy New Year. As 2025
comes to an end, embrace the Holy Family as your model, and carry their legacy
into the coming year, making your family a sanctuary of hope and joy.Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor