Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Holy Name Catholic Church, Wahroonga
Feast of the Holy Family
29 December 2019
In the weeks leading up to the festival of Christmas, much attention has been made to setting the scene for the birth of the Christ-child. Our liturgical prayers and Scripture readings have led us through the narrative of Jesus’ family history, right up to the birth of the Saviour.
Today’s celebration is the logical continuation of that narrative. The birth of a child is one of the ways that families grow. The Holy Family of Nazareth is no exception. Some time ago, I asked a group of children to tell me what they thought the day-to-day life of the Holy Family might have been like.
With child-like innocence, they each began to narrate their version of the story. I was treated to some rather idyllic accounts of what could only be described as imaginary episodes of family life.
Sweet as that might seem, the descriptions of life amongst the Holy Family, as portrayed by the children, seemed to remove Jesus, Mary, and Joseph from humanity, setting them apart from the rest of us.
I suppose at this point, it would be helpful to point out that the Holy Family is not holy because Mary and Joseph never struggled, never wondered what to do, or never had problems; the Holy Family was holy because in the face of all their challenges, they never let their trust in God waver.
One can only imagine what anxieties and concerns went through the mind and heart of Joseph in the Gospel passage that we have heard from Matthew. Yet, this was no obstacle for Joseph’s obedience to the will of the Father.
Life carries with it joys and sufferings and these are found in every family.
The Apostle Paul knew this when he urged the community of the Church at Colossae to put away anger, malice, and foul talk and to show kindness, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love in imitation of Christ. (Col 3:12)
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul declares Christ’s supremacy over the entire created universe and exhorts Christians to lead holy lives. The letter consists of two parts: first, a doctrinal section, then a second regarding conduct.
With our modern sensibilities regarding relationships, there is a tendency to become somewhat lost in debate due to changing ideals and values. More’s the pity, because, no matter how people view or express themselves, the call to imitate Christ’s love is real and relevant for each generation.
Every generation is called to conversion in Christ. However, “conversion is something momentary; sanctification is the work of a lifetime”. (St Josemaría Escrivá, Christ is Passing By, 58)
Becoming holy is what Paul means when he refers to putting on a new nature. It is not just an external action, like putting on different clothes. It is a transfiguration involving the whole person – soul and body, mind and will.
As disciples of Christ, our lives are holy when we make the firm resolve to lead a fully Christian life. It is a day-by-day conversion to Christ. It takes a lifetime of commitment to holiness.
My sisters and brothers, the virtues listed by Saint Paul as characteristics of the person living a new life in Christ, are all expressions of love, which keeps them together and completes them. (cf. Col 3:14)
On this Feast of the Holy Family, can we encourage each other in charity to live the Christian life in our homes, in the community of the Church, and in the world in which we live.
Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God and Saint Joseph, her spouse, may our families live in the grace and peace of Christ. Amen.