The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel...and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."-Lk.2:33-34
God is good, all the time.
Friends: For those familiar with the movie Dr. Zhivago, in the final scene, comrade General says to Tonya, with the punchline or the climax of the story, “how did you come to be lost?” And Tonya explains that it was when the city was on fire and everyone was running in the street that her father let go of her hand. Her explanation confirmed what comrade General wanted her to understand all along that Komarovsky was not her father, for her father, Dr. Zhivago, he tells her, would never have let go of her hand if he held it.
The feast of the holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, which we celebrate today, teaches us to hold on to the gifts of God to us: our families and faith. God gives us our families, but he also gives us faith and the faith community to adequately enrich us to take care of the family because of our faith values.
Pope Francis, in his apostolic document "Patris Corde", has dedicated this liturgical year to St. Joseph. I urge each one to take the time to read the short letter. In it, the Holy Father reflects on seven unique ways St. Joseph comes across as a father since the gospels testify to Jesus as the Son of Joseph. Accordingly, Francis describes Joseph in these terms:
He was a beloved father;for he gave all his love for Mary and Jesus and loved them sincerely.
He was a tender and loving father caring about Mary and Jesus to protect them. He never wanted to embarrass Mary when he learned about her conception for which he was not responsible.
He was an obedient father who listened to and followed God's plans for his family; he took them to Jerusalem to observe the law's requirements.
He was an accepting father, who accepted God's will and sacrificed his comfort for his family.
He was a creatively, courageous father and found all possible ways to shield Jesus from the threat of Herod, even so as we should guard our family against the danger of the insidious culture.
He was a working father who put his hands to work to care for his family.
He was a father in the shadows and put himself not in front or before his family but behind. He took a step back so that Jesus and Mary would be projected and shine.
Throughout the year, we can reflect and soak in these qualities by reading the elaborate explanations the pope renders to each of the seven features of Joseph’s fatherly roles and apply them to our own family life. And we should remember to pray the prayer of St. Joseph in the document continuously. And as you do all these, take care not to let go of the hand of your family: husband, wife, child, parents under any circumstances-not even in disappointing and betraying moments.
The prayer of St. Joseph Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust, with you, Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.