Luke 2: 22-40
“As the Family goes, so goes the Nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.” (Pope St. John Paul II).
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family and every family – your family. It is a favorable time – this Christmas Season - to pause our daily activities and celebrations and reflect on our own families in whatever form they may be.
Each holiday in the USA (i.e. Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, etc.), it seems, is begun days ahead by hundreds of people traveling “home for the holidays”. There is a certain longing or desire to be with family at these times, to be together, share stories, enjoy each other, and express love and joy.
Pope Frances reminds us that: “The experience of the family of Nazareth cannot but make us think of the many families today who are also “in movement” – certainly of those families forced to leave their homes and their own land in search of peace, serenity, and work, but also of those families who live with the apprehension and anxiety of not making ends meet, of unstable marital situations, the fear of illness.”
When we ponder what Jesus, Mary, and Joseph endured, we can take comfort in their guidance through their hardships and moments of joy and happiness and ask for their help for our families.
Our Foundress, Mother Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, reminds the Sisters that “in no way did the house of Nazareth distinguish itself. There was no great enclosure. No extraordinary or unusual events happened there. All three Persons of the Holy Family performed to perfection whatever they were called to do. God looked favorably upon the house of Nazareth because the hearts, the feelings, and the wills of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were directed toward Him.”
“May the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be with you! May they help you, teach you, and bless you at every step and at every moment!” (Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd).
Sister Celeste Hupert, CSFN
