Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Feast of the Holy Family, the Word of God turns our eyes toward the most sacred treasure God has placed in human hands: the family. The Gospel presents Mary and Joseph protecting the Child Jesus as they flee into Egypt, showing us that even the holiest families face fear, danger, and instability. They lived in the uncertainty of exile, yet their faith, courage, and obedience sustained them. The holy family reminds us that sanctity in family life is not measured by perfection or the absence of difficulties, but by unity, sacrifice, fidelity to God, and a deep sense of responsibility toward one another. Sirach reminds us of the sacred bond between parents and children: “Those who fear the Lord honour their parents” (Sir 3:2). Parents are called to guide, protect, and form their children, and children are called to honour, respect, and care for their parents, especially in moments of weakness and old age (Sir 3:6, 12–14). Saint Paul continues this invitation by calling us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and above all love, virtues that are not optional in a home but essential for peace and harmony (Col 3:12–14). He further instructs parents not to provoke their children, but to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Col 3:21), reminding us that authority in the family must be exercised with care, guidance, and tenderness, not domination or harshness.
Today more than ever, families face real challenges. The erosion of core values, the breakdown of communication, envy, resentment, and the busyness of life steal precious time from those who matter most. Often, families gather only for funerals or emergencies and rarely for moments of genuine joy. We are called to ask ourselves: do we truly celebrate the presence of our loved ones, support them in their endeavours, and honour their efforts, whether small or great? Sirach exhorts children to care for their parents in old age, recognizing the sacrifices that brought them life and sustenance (Sir 3:12). Sometimes just being together in peace, without hatred, competition, hidden grudges or family quarrels, is enough reason to rejoice. Let us not only be people who wish peace to the dead while forgetting to bring peace to the living. True peace must begin in our homes now, modelled on the peace and trust of Mary and Joseph, and ultimately flowing from the heart of Christ.
The Holy Family teaches us that parents have a sacred mission: to make their children a priority, to guide them with love, and to be truly present. Work, ambition, and social obligations must never replace or suffocate family responsibility. Familiaris Consortio reminds us that “the family is the primary and vital cell of society and the Church” (FC, 17), emphasizing the role of parents as the first educators of faith and virtue. Children, too, must honour their parents, listen to them, and allow themselves to be formed. A child who refuses guidance weakens the foundation of the home, just as a parent who neglects presence and affection wounds the heart of the family. Every Christian home is called to be a domestic church, a place where faith, forgiveness, dialogue, and tenderness are lived each day. In a domestic church, the Eucharist celebrated together and prayers offered as a family become a school of love and virtue, forming hearts capable of receiving Christ and sharing His love with the world (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1656–1658).
We also note that the family is a school of resilience. In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph obeyed the angel’s command and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect the Child (Mt 2:13–15). Later, he returned when God permitted, settling in Nazareth (Mt 2:19–23). These movements were not easy: they involved sacrifice, uncertainty, and risk. Yet, his steadfastness, discernment, and protective love demonstrate that holiness in family life is lived moment by moment, often unseen and unrecognized. Similarly, our families are often called to sacrifices, working long hours, adjusting schedules, caring for elderly parents, comforting children in fear or doubt, and in these acts, holiness is woven into everyday life.
Saint Paul’s instructions in Colossians 3 continue to echo in our homes: clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love. Bear with one another, forgive grievances as the Lord has forgiven you, and let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts (Col 3:12–15). These virtues are not theoretical ideals but practical dispositions to be lived daily: a gentle word to a tired child, patience when disagreements arise, forgiveness after conflicts, and joy in small acts of generosity. Love becomes the glue that binds the family together, just as it bound Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, even in danger or exile.
The human dimension of the family cannot be neglected. Families experience fatigue, frustration, and misunderstanding. There are moments of jealousy, miscommunication, or unmet expectations. Yet Scripture repeatedly reminds us that families are sacred because they are the primary context where human love meets divine love (Eph 5:25–33). Parents are invited to love selflessly, modelling Christ’s love for the Church, while children are called to trust, honour, and respond to that guidance. Pope John Paul II, in his reflections on the family, emphasized that “the family is the place in which children are initiated into life, love, and faith” (Familiaris Consortio, 36). This sacred trust requires patience, courage, humility, and perseverance, and it is within these struggles that families grow in holiness and intimacy with God.
As we celebrate Holy Family Sunday, let us ask the Lord to help us rebuild and strengthen our family relationships with sincerity. May we learn to love more deeply, forgive more generously, celebrate more joyfully, and support one another without envy or resentment. May our homes become places where peace reigns, where each member is valued and cherished, and where faith, prayer, and mercy are ever-present. Let Mary, Joseph, and the Child Jesus intercede for all our families, that our homes may resemble the home of Nazareth: simple, united, faithful, and filled with the presence of God. And may our families, nurtured in love and virtue, become beacons of hope, teaching the world that holiness is possible in ordinary human relationships.
Happy Holy Family Sunday!
By: Toby Ndiukwu, M.Afr.