Feast of the Holy Family 2024


 🎶 Here's the story of a lovely lady  

Who was bringing up three very lovely girls.  

All of them had hair of gold, like their mother,  

The youngest one in curls.


Here's the story, of a man named Brady,  

Who was busy with three boys of his own.  

They were four men, living all together,  

Yet they were all alone.


Till the one day when the lady met this fellow,  

And they knew that it was much more than a hunch,  

That this group must somehow form a family.  

That's the way we all became the Brady Bunch.


The Brady Bunch,  

The Brady Bunch,  

That's the way we became the Brady Bunch. 🎶

Many of you from my generation and older will remember this as the theme to that classic TV show The Brady Bunch.

The show, beloved by many, told the story of a man named Brady, a widower with three boys, who marries a woman with three girls. It was one of the first shows to present a blended family, showcasing the challenges and joys that come with merging different lives under one roof.

Although lighthearted, The Brady Bunch opened doors to understanding that families come in various forms.

In today’s Gospel from Luke, we encounter a moment from the life of the Holy Family that reflects both their humanity and their faithfulness to God.

Jesus, at the age of twelve, is found sitting in the Temple among the teachers after being missing for three days. This is a moment every parent can relate to—Mary and Joseph were undoubtedly filled with fear and anxiety when they realized Jesus was not with the caravan. Their relief and confusion are palpable when they find Him in the Temple, calmly engaging with the elders.

Jesus’ response—“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”—is both a revelation and a reminder of the unique role He plays in salvation history. 

But even then, we see His humility as He returns to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and remains obedient to them.

This Gospel passage teaches us profound lessons about family life:

  1. Patience and Understanding: Mary and Joseph model patience as they search for Jesus and try to understand His words. Families often face situations where they don’t fully understand each other, yet love calls us to patience.

  2. The Role of Faith: The Holy Family’s journey to Jerusalem was part of their faith tradition, showing us the importance of grounding our families in faith. Regular prayer, worship, and trust in God strengthen the bonds of family life.

  3. Growth and Imperfection: Even the Holy Family faced challenges and misunderstandings. This reminds us that no family is perfect. What matters is how we respond—with love, humility, and a willingness to grow together.

  4. God at the Center: Jesus’ focus on His “Father’s house” reminds us that our families are part of a larger divine plan. When we place God at the center of our homes, our relationships can reflect His love and purpose.

Like The Brady Bunch, modern families today often come in different forms: blended families, single parents, and extended households. What binds a family together is not its structure but the love, faith, and mutual care shared among its members.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, let’s strive to bring the virtues of Nazareth into our own homes:

  • Love and Patience when we face misunderstandings.

  • Faith and Prayer as the foundation of our lives.

  • Humility and Support to help each other grow.

As we reflect on today’s Gospel and the life of the Holy Family, we are reminded of the central place of hope in our families and our faith. 

Families, like the Holy Family, face challenges—misunderstandings, fears, and moments of uncertainty. Yet, in those moments, hope in God’s providence sustains us.

This weekend, Pope Francis opens the Jubilee of Hope, inviting the entire Church to renew our trust in God’s promises and embrace hope as a foundation for our lives. 

Hope isn’t merely wishful thinking—it’s the confident expectation of God’s presence and grace in every circumstance.

The Holy Family teaches us this kind of hope. Mary and Joseph trusted in God when they didn’t fully understand His plans. Jesus, even as a child in the Temple, points us toward the ultimate hope: our relationship with the Father.

This Jubilee of Hope is an opportunity for us to reflect on how hope can transform our families, our parish, and our world. Hope strengthens us to face trials with courage, fosters love and reconciliation in our relationships, and inspires us to be witnesses of God’s love to others.

Let us join Pope Francis in embracing this Jubilee as a time to rekindle our hope in God, who never abandons us. 

In doing so, may we make our families and our parish communities true beacons of faith, hope, and love in the world.

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