Bulletin Article for the Feast of the Holy Family

The family of Jesus is something that is cloaked in mystery.  While the Church maintains that Jesus was Mary’s only child, the gospels make it very clear that he had “brothers.” Even St Paul refers to James, the brother of Jesus.  Note that many paintings of the holy family depict Joseph as an old man, implying that Mary married Joseph, a widower, who had children from a previous marriage, making these children Jesus’ step-brothers. Another line of thought maintains that Jesus was an only child but had a large extended family. The comedian, Woody Allen, while doing stand-up comedy in the late ‘50’s, told a joke about going out on a double date with a friend’s sister, only to find out that the sister was Sr Mary Therese, a nun. He and Sr. Therese talked about many things, agreeing that Jesus was “well adjusted” for an only child. Step-brothers? Well adjusted only child? The Church won’t officially say. Jesus’ family was a bit mixed-up in that they don’t fit the “mold” of what we consider the perfect family. Jesus was conceived outside of marriage. His mother did not marry Jesus’ biological father. His family was homeless for a while, leaving in a barn, and then became political refugees. Sure does not sound like the typical family, does it? Imagine what the neighborhood gossips in Nazareth must have said about this unusual family. You see, “holy” does not refer to “perfect.” God holds all families as holy, whether the family has two biological parents, or only one biological parent, or no biological parents. God holds all families sacred, not because they are perfect, but because God loves them, dysfunction and all. As a parent, I have not always loved what my kids have done, but that does not in anyway interfere in how deeply I love and respect them. So what are we take away from this Sunday feast of the Holy Family? St Paul tells us to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and above all put on love which is the basis of all that is good. And, last but not least, to strive to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him. While we may not do all these things perfectly, we will always be members of God’s holy family.