Perhaps more quickly than we imagined or hoped for, New Year's beginnings are only several hours away. Perhaps, too, as a benefit, the celebration of the HOLY FAMILY -- always the Sunday between Christmas and New Year's days -- is upon us.For most of us, even for the only child among us, our families and all they bring with them is a journey that begins the moment a mother and father hold a newborn son or daughter for the first time. Not until that child become and adult breathes a final breath does his or her family journey come to an end. Throughout the days and years of this particular family journey we come to realize that while families can bring many marvelous and comforting moments, there are also consequences that exist, that challenge how we individually think and live our family lives.
And where is that perfect family? Even the experiences of Mary and Joseph encountered because of Jesus was who he was provided disruptions that began with their Bethlehem experiences of inconvenience.
Today's gospel selection brings us to consider that even the Holy Family was disrupted because of the Child Jesus, one part of a family. Herod and his successor-son, Archilaeus, presented situations that made the early "family years" for Mary and Joseph moments of challenge. Those dreams Joseph remembered!!! Can a family be described as "holy" in our culture and times? What makes a family "holy"? I suggest that there are many families that are "holy families." "How so?", you might ask.
Jesuit Father Larry Gillick provides an answer most family members will appreciate: "Perhaps what is "holy" about our family experiences is how we accept in our human way the iconveniences, the interruptions, and the poverty of our inefficiencies, the fears and worries, the "dangers of our Bethlehems." He refers to all those family "moments" that are joy-filled or painful as our Bethlehems, mindful again of the inconveniences that Mary and Joseph had to endure on that first Christmas eve night and Christmas morning.
How we deal with our parents, siblings, children and relatives reveals much about who we are as we walk our journey of self-discovery. How challenging the journey must be for parents who have brought children into the family! Every day "their Bethlehems" must be so mixed with joys, worries and occasionally great pains. For children as well -- whatever their age is or becomes -- there are "their Bethlehems" each day as well.
Today's feast, today's celebration should be one that , despite any dysfunctions (did you feel I would eventually use that almost worn out word?) in a family history, invites us to realize being a human being , being a part of a human family, means we will have to accept imperfections, limitations and inconveniences.
Yet, putting these, "our Bethlehems" aside, we can experience true joy, genuine holiness as we call to mind the goodness, love and caring of our parents, children, siblings or relatives -- even if these remain buried in potentiality!
Let this feat day be for you an opportunity to share with God the joy of your own family and its "holiness." I know for me this feast in particular has special significance because my family poured out their love and care for me in extraordinary ways. I know I am blessed by the sister and brothers, aunts and cousins that I call my "holy family." I hope that you have the same opportunity and privilege.
