The Presence of God in Their Midst ~ by Barbara Williford

Today's homily focused on who this Holy Family is; and why, this family.

God blest creation with the gift of family. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, there were many families mentioned. Abraham was the Father by his faith. To David, God said: "You are my son according to my heart." Elizabeth and Zechariah were John the Baptist's family.

But Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the Holy Family to show us that only if God is present as the center of the family, in Jesus, will the family be holy. God is the glue that sticks us together.

Our challenge is to bring back the value of family life. Through the sacrament of Matrimony, the presence of God is in the midst of the couple. Keeping Jesus Christ as our center is the only way to holiness.

God doesn't give up on us when we fail. He is always calling us to be a Holy Family. We were reminded of the recently deceased Fr. Donald Scales, who always preached at weddings that the secret of a good marriage is, "forgive, forgive, forgive."

We should pray for our families, for all families; and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary And Saint Joseph to help and guide us. The family that prays together, stays together.


~ The Feast of the Holy Family ~