The Feast of the Holy Family


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From the Homily of Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles
Feast of the Holy Family, 2014

“… today, in our Gospel reading, we are reminded that parents have a great vocation in the life of their children. The family is where we pass on our values and our traditions and our faith. As we heard, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple — to present him to the Lord.
It is obviously an ancient custom, to present your firstborn male son in the Temple. So we see this great image of the young mother and father, Mary our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, bringing their child to the Temple and greeted there by the holy couple, Simeon and Anna.It is a meeting of the generations — old and young.
Pope Francis talks a lot about the importance of our grandparents in our lives. For him especially, he has a great memory of his grandmother teaching him the truths of the faith and how to pray. And that’s what we see in today’s passage of the Gospel.
And then finally, we hear how Jesus: grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. This is, my brothers and sisters, what we want for our children — that they grow up strong and wise and that they go with God and try to do God’s will for their lives.What a beautiful example, the example of the Holy Family.
So let us try to walk with them, and live with them, and learn from their example. Then our families will be, also, holy families. Families where love and friendship and forgiveness and happiness are there every single day.
So, what a beautiful reflection today on the beauty of the family and marriage in our society and in our lives. So I wish that you all continue this Christmas season having blessings and especially that you have a peaceful New Year’s celebration.
Let us entrust our families to the Holy Family. And let us ask Jesus, Mary and Joseph to watch over our families.  And may Mary help us to share the love of God — the beautiful love that comes at Christmas — with everyone in our lives.
 
 

 

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