Holy Family, a
Challenge to our Families.
Introduction
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There is a picture in our mind about a family. It
may be different according to persons and time.
o
In the last century family means – working
husband, house wife doing the domestic works and raring the children, and 10-12
children. Family prayer and family meal were essential part of the families,.
o
The present concept would be – working mother,
house husband (housband), 1-3 children. No time for coming together.
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The new trends that are developing in the
families.
o
Working parents – husband and wife are working,
may be in different shifts that they do not come together in home. No time to spend together.
o
Families are often office extensions.
o
The children are left at the mercy of caretakers.
o
The time pass of the children are internet,
computer, and television.
o
No family prayer or coming together. Family
re-unions are needed for a family to come together, that is usually arranged with previous
appointments.
o
Some people even think in a post-modern way, ‘why
should I have a permanent partner?’
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In these new trends of family life Holy Family
challenges us to build happy and holy families. Holy Family challenges our
families to be;
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Concerned with others
o
Listen
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Silence and communication
Content
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Concerned with other members of the family
o
St Joseph was concerned about Mary. He did not to put Mary into shame. He was concerned about her dignity.
o
Mary and Joseph were concerned about Jesus and
that is why they went back to Jerusalem and searched him for three days.
o
We may think whether they were careless to lose
Jesus in Jerusalem. This doubt will be removed if we know the background of that
incident.
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Jewish male child gets the status of man at the
age of 12, after their rituals and celebrations in the temple. Jesus was a
child while going to Jerusalem and was with the group of women, with Mary. But after
the ritual in the temple he was declared as a man and supposed to join in the
male group for the return journey. Joseph might have thought that since Jesus
was with Mary while going to Jerusalem he also would return with his mother,
while Mary might have through that he is already a man and so he will be with
his father in the male group.
o
We sometimes sacrifice 'concern' for the concept of individual freedom. It can destroy the families.
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Listen
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All of us want to talk and there is a lack of
listeners in the families.
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A wisdom saying tells that in the first six
months the husband speaks and the wife listens; in the next six months the wife
speaks and the husband listens; and after that both of them speak and the
neighbors listen.
o
Listening not only includes what they say by
words but also what they say in their heart.
o
Mary and Joseph listened to Jesus. Jesus
listened to his parents.
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Communication and silence
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Silence is the quality time that we spend with
God. Silence makes us realize the plan of God for us and our family. As Joseph
knew the plans of God in a dream, when he was in silence we too spend time in
silence.
o
Mary received the message of God through angel
Gabriel in the silence.
o
Lack of communication destroys the family
relations. Through the couple may live in the same room with speaking anything
for weeks. It may lead to the destruction of family relations.
Conclusion
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God invites every family to be holy and happy
families like that of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
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Be concerned with other, be good listeners,
spend time in silence and believe in strength of communication. Let Holy Family
be our model and inspiration.
