The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Year of Saint Joseph

Other saints: Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist (c. 100); Saint Fabiola (399); Saint Nicarete (c. 410); SS Theodore and Theophanes (841 and 845)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 69 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery

Mass: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 with Resp Ps 128 or Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3 with Resp Ps 105; Col 3:12-21 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40

Glory in His holy name, rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!

JOSEPH, HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to another glorious celebration in the Christmas Season, today with the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is a prayer I read that sticks with me and provides an entry into the day. The prayer begins this way: "God and Father of all, you gave us the Holy Family to serve as an example of love and obedience. Grant to all people, in family homes or alone, the grace to hold in honor the bonds of love and respect which bind the human race chosen for adoption as your children ... (Magnificat, Prayer for the Morning, December 27, 2020). With such a prayer, all the faithful, wherever we find ourselves, as mother or father, son or daughter, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, or friend, look to the Holy Family as an example. What a privilege it is for all of us to look to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Holy Family lived a joyful life of deep faith, hope, and love. At the same time, they, as a human family, lived the daily struggles, misunderstandings and hardships that come with any life. They managed though, and persevered, day in and day out. So must we. Let's go about it though, like the Holy Family, with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, peace, and above all, love. And let us be thankful (Col 3:12-15). Remember the words of Meister Eckhart: "If the only prayer you say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."

An excellent and simple prayer for all of us, then, is one found in my grandniece's prayer book, My First Prayers for the Whole Year (Ignatius, 2018). Thank you for sharing it Miss Vivi J. 😊

 A Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

Holy Family of God,

pray for us.

Help us to serve one another,

and to do our little everyday tasks

with great love.

Amen.

JOSEPH, GLORY OF HOME LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Responding to the universal call to holiness. 

© Gertrude Feick 2020