Today’s feast of the Holy Family seems to make some people a bit nervous. One hard-working mother said, “What is this about? They used to tell us to model our families after Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Talk about pressure! I’m not the Blessed Mother! And have you seen what it’s like out there?”
 
We can’t compare times and cultures, point for point, to use their family as an identical blueprint for ours. Most Catholics have a pretty inflated idea of how ideal Jesus’ family must have been. If we don’t look closely at the readings today, we’ll come away like this mom, with the idea that Jesus’ family was all about perfection. Of course, Jesus was divine, but his birth and his family were all about being deeply human.
 
For example, Jesus terrorized his parents by disappearing on the family trip for Passover, and then said, “Why were you looking for me?” The gospel speaks for parents everywhere when it says, “But they did not understand what he said to them.” That’s a normal family.
 
Catholic theology teaches that every family is a “holy family” when its members try to live the virtues that St. Paul sets out in the second reading: be patient--forgive each other--show heartfelt mercy with kindness and humility. And, of course, love heals all.
 
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were not chess pieces God moved around on a divine game board. They, too, had to listen to God’s call, and try every day to choose virtuous actions. Whole-hearted effort--not a perfect result--is what it means to be a “Holy Family.”

And the real Holy Family is the Church. Enjoy each other, because we are among friends—we are the extended family of Jesus Christ.
 
Retreat – I will be away this week making my retreat as I prepare for my episcopal ordination.  In your charity, please keep me in your prayers.