Fr. Chris - Holy Family - Homily

"Faith Begins With Family"
Simeon took [the baby, Jesus,] in his arms and praised God, “Master, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people; a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of Israel.” This beautiful verse is part of the Daily Office or Breviary “Night Prayer” offered up for the spiritual and corporal welfare of our world, prayed by clergy and lay Christians alike throughout the globe.
 
Imagine what Simeon must have felt holding this little babe in his arms. Anyone who has ever cradled a newborn in their arms surely cannot help but feel the energy of new life emanating from the helpless, small limbs in their hands; a living, breathing miracle; a tiny, vulnerable image of God.
 
This is the beginning of our Faith, and how marvellous that it begins with a child, a child of human and divine descent, begins with a family!
 
This is why family is such an important factor in our Faith. It is the building block of community, and we need to support it! It brings forth individuals with their own distinct personalities, gifts, and destinies; individuals whose call is ultimately to contribute to the growth and health of their families and their communities.
 
Make no mistake: human beings are communal. They need each other to survive and thrive. Personal rights and liberties must be in a logical, sensitive balance with the needs of community, particularly in life and death situations. The contributions of individuals to community are critical for the harmonic stability within our world,  to protect and nourish each other, and especially as Christians to love each other.   
 
Joseph, Mary and Jesus teach us what the “ideal” family is by the adversities they experienced being homeless, fleeing from Herod to protect their child, almost certainly living as refugees for awhile, then finding a humble residence in Nazareth, and raising a son, whose destiny they may not have known, but allowed to unfold. They loved their son, taught him their Judaic faith in God, supported his gifts and desires, and let their son follow his call.   
 
Family is caring, supportive of each other’s gifts, talents, and industry; resilient in the face of adversity, able to endure any challenges and difficulties, protective and resourceful, and above all humble and loving. The Holy Family teaches us all this.  
 
Do not confuse establishing, organizing and furnishing a house or dwelling with that of building a home. For many years, the ‘Ideal Homes Exhibition’ has taken place in Dublin, IR, but would be better described as the “Ideal Houses Exhibition”, a display of creative interior designs for well-appointed rooms and living spaces.
 
A family lives in a home. That may be an apartment, a few rooms in a basement, even a boathouse; or perhaps an abandoned log-house used by families uprooted during the depression like my mother’s family was, or a humble tent planted beside others in a refugee camp. Home is where the heart is, or more truly, where love is.
 
Parents and caregivers who teach their children the Faith, love them as God made them, and let them pursue their own destinies as God planned for them, can be confident they have done their work. Children who come to know Christ in their early years, will know Christ is with them always on their journeys, often promote Jesus to their peers, and even if they only recall this relationship with Christ later when life is challenging, they will navigate life well with Christian confidence.  
 
Also, psychology says regardless of the financial situation or stability of a family, as long as children are loved, they will usually be emotionally mature, secure, productive and loving of others. They need their parents and the love they receive.
Be proud of the home you create for your family, however humble it might be.  
 
This Christmas many of our commitments are on hold because of the lockdown. As new beginnings emerge on Jan 1st, commit to saying ‘Grace Before Meals’, each day read a small passage of scripture or tell your children a story about Jesus, and teach them to say, “Good Morning, Jesus”, in the morning, and “Good Night, Jesus” when they go to bed. This is the most valuable life insurance we can ever give our future generations – our Christian Faith – that Christ is with them always.              
               
  – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario