Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth - Homily of Bp Paolo

It is important to ask ourselves, why is the Holy Family of Nazareth celebrated on the Sunday within the Christmas octave? It is not a coincidence. In fact, a big announcement was made at Christmas: The word of God became flesh, and the eternal son of the Father became a man like us. He did not pretend to become human, remaining pure spirit. Jesus completed the entire human journey from the beginning to the end. And being a human person, first and foremost, means being welcomed into the mother's womb and being welcomed into the family.
We are human when we are in a web of human relationships in which we are welcomed, nourished, and educated. We cannot imagine the life of each of us if we isolate ourselves. We can only understand ourselves in relation to the family in which we are born and grow up as children.
Since the Son of God indeed became man, the family of Nazareth was essential for Jesus' human growth. We cannot understand Jesus if we isolate him from Mary, Joseph, and the entire web of relatives.
Each of us is, first and foremost, a child. In life, we can be married or not married, become fathers and mothers, or have no children. However, it is impossible not to be children. We are all children. This is why, in the reading from the Old Testament, it is recommended to recognize the bond with one's parents to honor the father and mother. To have a healthy life psychologically and spiritually, we must honor the bond with our parents since we received life through them.
Jesus, by entering the world and being born into a human family, also sanctified the family. What does this mean? The family is a fundamental place to discover our vocation to holiness.
In this way, the Christian family is not just something natural but is a reality entirely enveloped by the grace of God. Through the family, we enter the world and the Church, receive the faith, and are formed into Christian life. In this way, we are also introduced to discover our vocation and specific mission.
Furthermore, the relationship between Joseph, Mary, and Jesus teaches us how we must live relationships concretely. In the family, the fundamental rule is acceptance, respect, and promotion of the good of everyone. In the family, we learn to forgive each other and have the patience to walk together.
Parents must not expect their children to do what they have in mind as adults. Instead, we need to seek God's will together. Discover what your children's vocation is, help them in their discovery, and support them on their journey. Sometimes, parents may have an image of their children's future, but God may call them in a different direction. Then, it is the parents' task to accompany their children to welcome God's call, whatever it may be, to form a family, to become consecrated persons, or to become priests.
Today's Gospel helps us in this sense, as it presents us with the meeting between the Holy Family and Old Simeon in the temple. In this meeting, Mary and Joseph listen to the words of the Wise Old Man, who reveals to them that this son will be a light for all people and that his destiny will pass through the pain of the cross, which will also involve Mary's heart: and a sword will pierce your soul too; to thus reach the fullness of the resurrection.
Finally, I do not want to conclude this homily on the family without remembering all of you who are here for work and have left your families in your country of origin. I invite you always to feel part of your family, to nurture the relationships with your family members, and to search for opportunities to deepen the profound sense of belonging. You are here for them. Above all, I invite you all to pray. The family that prays together stays together. This helps you live family life well: being children, brothers, and sisters, being fathers and mothers without forgetting that we are all sons and daughters of the same Heavenly Father. Prayer keeps us united and makes us walk towards the kingdom of God. But let's not forget the wounded and divided families: God's mercy always reaches us and gives us the strength to start again on the path of good.
May the Holy Family of Nazareth always be your teacher and inspirer. May Joseph and Mary support you on your journey and help you in difficult times. May their intercession obtain the graces necessary to be an authentic Christian family.