Feast of the Holy Family
December 28, 2014
Luke 2:22-40
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be
contradicted… (Luke 2:34)”
Our today’s Gospel narrates a
story of a poor family from Nazareth, Joseph, the head of the family, Mary, the
wife and mother, and baby Jesus. Like other Jewish families, they went to
Jerusalem temple to offer Jesus, their firstborn, to God. Everything went as
usual until they met Simeon and Anna. The two holy persons prophesied that
Jesus shall become the sign of contradiction, a paradox. Then, the prophesy
turned into reality. The family of Joseph and Mary became a paradox. This was precisely
because of Jesus was there. Indeed, every family that brings Jesus emerges as a
paradox. Yet, it is not just any paradox, but it is a beautiful one since it
brings the best of us. Let us discover more about this beautiful paradox of a
family.
A family is basically a paradox
because it is a unity of diversity. The man possesses a physical and
psychological make-up that is basically different from his wife. Yet, God has
created an amazing law: the opposites attract. Then, man and woman, despite of
these essential oppositions, complete one another and through this unlikely
union, a new life was born. The man and woman are co-workers in the creation of
the Father. This makes a family as a beautiful paradox.
The paradox does not stop there. The
man and woman are not only working out their difference, but now also working
so hard to provide the needs of the third party in their lives, their offspring.
From a boy and a girl who used to be very self-centered and have no care for
others, are now transformed into the opposite. They now are interdependent to
one another as to take care of their kids, to finance the tuition fee and to pay
the medicine. They are now forgetting themselves and turning their time and
effort for children. It is in the family that man and woman are constantly
asked to make great sacrifices and unwavering commitment. And yet, there are
more than willing to do these because their eyes are in tears, joyfully looking
their children growing and happy. The man and woman are participating in the
redemption work of the Son. This makes a family as a beautiful paradox.
The paradox reaches summit here.
After the man and the woman painstakingly build their own home and keep all
together. They have to see that their own offspring parting ways. It must be a
great joy to see their cute little kids growing up, saying ‘I love you Mam’,
and graduating from schools, but eventually, they are aware that their children
need to create their own destiny. Their boy and girl are now a man and woman,
and they have to let them go so that they may be able to build their own
family. The man and woman are joining the Holy Spirit who sends and empowers
the Church. This makes a family a beautiful paradox.
If we allow Jesus reign in the
midst of our family, He demands a lot. He wants the spouses to be faithful. He
likes the parents to make big sacrifices. He requires the children to love and
respect their parents. He is indeed demanding, but the more we place Jesus in
our family, the more we discover meaning and happiness in the family. This is
paradox and indeed a beautiful one.
However, our world is not perfect
and a lot of families are facing huge trials. Some are disintegrating and
children are separated from their parents. Some even have no idea what family
is all about. In the Philippines, parents need to work abroad and consequently,
are separated from their children. They are simple not there in the most
important moments of their kids. Antonio Cardinal Tagle of Manila said that
Filipino family members are separated not for any other reason, but love. These
are just a fraction of bitter realities the families have to face in our contemporary
world. We pray that Jesus may also strengthen them and always reign in their
lives.
Dedicated to my parents and all
parents who are giving themselves for their children
Bro. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno,
OP
Family our first & last love.
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