Collect for Feast of Holy Family

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT SERIES ICON.

FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY YEAR A

COLLECT

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family,

Graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,

And so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.    What is the shining example of the Holy Family?

2.    Why did God us the example of the Holy Family?

3.    What answer do I give to someone who mocks the Holy Family and/or who says they are irrelevant today?

4.    What are the virtues of family life?

5.    How will I practise the virtues of family life this coming week?

6.    What spiritual goals will I implement in this  coming year?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

THE HOLY FAMILY at the Manger.

Many scholars and priests choose to emphasise refugees, displaced families and the plight of their wellbeing on  this Feast of Holy Family.  However important this is, Matthew in today’s Gospel and throughout his Gospel wants to ensure we get the true message: Jesus, son of David, born in Bethlehem is Son of God.  This truth bears a promise which is a promise of a new world for all.  He emphasises this truth even further with the last line of the Gospel

“ He will be called a Nazarene’’.

Why is this sentence significant?  It connects Jesus the baby with Jesus the adult who suffered and died and rose again for us to bring us a new world to all.  In the Passion, the soldiers identify Christ as Jesus the Nazarene.

As we hear today’s Gospel, let the truth of who Jesus is take root in our hearts and do our part to make the promise of a new world for all a reality. We can make His kingdom come.

The other important aspect of today’s feast is of course family.  Family and marriage is increasingly under attack from media and society.  Yet in our own domestic or extended family or spiritual family, we can strengthen the bonds which hold us.  This can be done in prayer, in how we treat each other,  how we resolve conflict and forgive each other sincerely and particularly in the practical matters of family or parish life- contributing in ways that make a difference done with love.  It may be as simple as doing some dishes, keeping our rooms tidy or doing some shopping for someone who has come out of hospital. We need to invest time in each other.

That is what the holy family did- invested time in each other. Joseph, foster father of Jesus taught him the skills of carpentry whilst Mary nurtured Jesus as her child even though she knew He was the Saviour.  She took on motherhood with all its joys and challenges especially when she did not understand her Son’s destiny and behaviours.  Jesus played His part too. He was human as well as divine and He respected both Joseph and Mary as His earthly parents. He was obedient to them and respected their authority as parents.

On this feast of the Holy Family, why not offer a prayer of blessing for your own family and put your family under the protection of the Holy Family.  You could write your own family prayer and say it with them each week. You may add the practicalities of that week so that it is prayer and action done out of love for God and each other.

In that way, you will be contributing to the promise of Jesus to make a new world for all.