SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Theme: CHALLENGED BUT HOLY

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 15:1-6; 21:1-3

Psalm 105

Heb. 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Lk. 2:22-40

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

On the Last Sunday of the calendar year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Today, we offer our families and all their members on the Altar to ask God's blessing and to obtain the guidance of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Our first readings present the personality of a desperate but still faithful Abraham. His question to God this morning reveals his pain and frustration. He asks God, what good will your gifts be if I am childless? Abraham is experiencing a pain that most families face today, but unlike most families, he did not allow his pain to break his family (marriage to Sarah) and his trust in God. When God finally took notice of old Sarah, she was still with Abraham and bore him a son.

The Gospel presents us with the personalities of Joseph and Mary performing their perantal duties with grace despite the strange and seemingly shameful circumstances surrounding the child's birth and their marriage. like many families of our time, they suffered the negative comments and the “eye rolling” of society but unlike many families they stayed together and with God who is also their son. Today we celebrate them as Holy and model of every christian family.

Beloved, the beginning of a holy family is a seemingly hopeless family with true and faithful members. It's all about being there for each other no matter what... performing your responsibilities as a father, a husband, a wife and a mother amidst the pain, the fastrations and the shame.

This morning, my heart goes out to families facing painful challenges and hopelessness. Please stay strong and together no matter what, stay faithful to each other and to God. The end will be beautiful. Remember, the end of a true and a faithful family is a beautiful and a holy family.

No, that one (the servant) shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir."

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary and Joseph, bless our families. Amen.

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, December 27, 2020.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.