The Feast of Holy Family (Year C)
Scriptures: Sam. 1:20-22 24-28; Ps 83: 2-3, 5-6, 9-10; 1 Jn. 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk. 2:41-52
We live in a modern world where everything goes through drastic changes daily. The family is the most vulnerable institution that often gets affected by every change that comes into the society. Recent surveys show a drastic decline in regular religious practices in modern families. The priorities in modern families have shifted and they focus more on children’s education, financial stability, and personal fulfilment than religious practices. The family prayers and spiritual activities do not have any place in modern families. In the family, the parents play a crucial role. The parents shape the lives of children and the youth. The surveys also indicate that those families who value God often experience good relationships, forgiveness, and a greater sense of purpose in their lives.
Having read the sign of the time, the catholic church has been working on the sanctification of families in the last two centuries. The first concentrated effort was seen when the Church dedicated the Sunday to the Holy Family of Nazareth. It is a recent development. Pope Leo XIII introduced it in the church in 1893 while some particular dioceses celebrated it. Pope Benedict XV extended it to the universal church in 1921. It was celebrated after the Epiphany Sunday. But after the liturgical reform, it was shifted during the Christmas octave. It gave more emphasis to the mystery of incarnation that takes place within the context of family.
The church during the time of the Second Vatican Council reflected on the families. In the pastoral constitution Gaudium et spes, emphasis was given to the dignity of marriage and the family as the foundation of society. The family was declared as the domestic church where the faith is fostered. Saint Pope John Paul II reflected on the family in Familiaris Consortio (1981). Pope Francis has given more emphasis on the family by inviting wider discussion during the two synods. He published his reflections in Amoris Laetitia. The world family days are celebrated in the world. A special dicastery works towards the welfare of the families and guides Holy Father in his responsibilities towards the families in the world.
