ALWAYS BE THANKFUL

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Colossians 3:12-21

On this Sunday after Christmas, we are invited to reflect on the family, as we look to the Holy Family of Nazareth, that is Jesus’ family. In this present time, the family is under siege, being attacked on many fronts. Family is the foundation of society and when that foundation starts disintegrating, society becomes sick. The love commitment of a man and a woman is at the centre of the human family and it is that committed love that gives them the strength to be at the service of life. Children who are unable to be nurtured in that love will grow up suffering from an injury difficult to heal. However, nowadays, fewer and fewer people are ready to commit themselves to a permanent and stable relationship in marriage. Divorce is like an infection that destroys the immunity of love in marriage. And what we have now is an increasing number of couples who just live together, refusing to tie the knot and assume a public commitment. 

The spread of acceptance and normalisation of homosexual behaviour has led many Western societies to change the definition of marriage to include homosexual committed relationships. However, life cannot be brought forth from those relationships. If that became the rule for most of the men and women of this world, the world would have no future. Being created in the image of God, we are called to be creators of life. When we choose to ignore and despise God’s order, we sow the seeds of self-destruction. With the gender ideology being implemented in schools and forced down our throats, our society is choosing a path that will lead those who act upon it to infertility and the impossibility of constituting a family. As we celebrate the Holy Family, let us accept God’s call to manifest his glory in our families.

In the second reading, in his letter to the Colossians, Paul teaches about basic attitudes to build a community that should be like a family. The commandment of love is the rule that must guide our attitudes: 

“… and you should be clothed 

in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with one another; 

forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; 

now you must do the same. 

Over all these clothes,

 to keep them together and complete them, 

put on love. 

And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. 

Always be thankful.”

May the Lord grant you peace and joy.

And thanks be to God for all his blessings.