When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was with him. Today the Church celebrates the Holy Family of Nazareth, that is, the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is a feast that is celebrated as part of the Christmas festivities because after the birth of Jesus, the lives of Mary and Joseph – as are the lives of each man and woman living in the Common Era – were to be changed forever. Like in any human family, the birth of Jesus changed the configuration of how Mary and Joseph related in their house. It was no longer going to be an exclusive, two-way relationship between Mary and Joseph. A third relational strand was added in Joseph and Mary’s household. Mary was now both a spouse and a mother. Joseph was now Mary’s spouse and Jesus’ father. In addition, the birth of Jesus forever changed the lives of Joseph and Mary in a unique and distinct way. For after the birth of Jesus, Mary came to be known to posterity as the Mother of God, and Joseph carved a unique niche for himself in the history of the universe as he became the human father and guardian of God’s only begotten Son. And most importantly, as every parent knows, having Jesus in their lives became a learning experience for them, something that we believe enabled them to come to understand the special calling that the Lord had given them. Mary had to learn how to be a mother to a son that she could hardly “understand,” and Joseph had to be contented with occupying a “diminishing” place in the family as Jesus gradually became the “poster” face of the family.
Referring to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as holy does not arise from the fact that Jesus was part of this family. It would be presumptuous of us to think that the “holiness” of Jesus as the Son of God somehow rubbed off and influenced Mary and Joseph, and in so doing, turned them into holy people themselves. While it is true that there was no single moment in the life of Jesus and he was not fully human and fully divine, as a son to Mary and Joseph, he led a life typical of any boy in his village. This family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph experienced all the typical growing pains that any human family undergoes. However, it is how this family dealt with their challenges that make them not only a holy family but also a model for all Christian (and as a matter of fact, human) families.
The Gospel Reading for today recounts the early days that followed the birth of Jesus. As devout members of their community, Joseph and Mary ensured that all the postnatal rites and requirements were celebrated and fulfilled. In the account, the parents take Jesus to the temple in order to consecrate him to the Lord. And as Jesus got presented to the Lord, the spirit of the Lord moved two holy individuals (Simeon and Anna) to prophesy about the child Jesus and by so doing open the eyes of Joseph and Mary on who their child was to be, something that left them in amazement. It was only later in their life that they got to understand Simeon’s prophecy of a sword piercing the heart of Mary (and Joseph’s too). From Jesus getting lost in the temple (cf. Luke 2:41-50) to Mary hearing news making rounds in the village that her son had lost his mind (cf. Mark 3:21), and ultimately watching her son being crucified as a criminal (cf. John 19:25), Mary’s heart was constantly being pierced by the sword. And in all these, Mary remained a devoted mother to Jesus for she came to understand that she had to share Jesus with the world. She finally came to understand the ramification of her telling the Lord that she was his handmaid.
On his part, Jesus – although gradually coming to understand that he was not only Mary’s son but a son and brother to many – remained a true son to May and Joseph. The Gospels report that even when the parents failed to understand what his mission was, he never “lost his cool.” Even in those moments when he had to “school” them on what his mission was, he did so with humility and kindness and remained obedient to them. And this is why the favor of the Lord rested upon him.
The Holy Family of Nazareth is given us as a model for imitation. All the members of the Holy Family of Nazareth had their respective challenges, just as we all do. However, they did not allow the challenges that came their way to prevent them from cooperating with the Holy Spirit in order to live to the full their calling. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are holy because they managed to remain in a relationship with God. They are holy because they allowed God to mold them into the persons God had called them to be. They are holy because they allowed God to remain part of their lives. May our celebration of the Holy Family of Nazareth remind us that not only have we too been called to be holy, but also that holiness is within our reach (actually holiness is our goal and end). Like the Holy Family of Nazareth, may we strive to lead holy lives. Amen.