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 FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: MOVE YOUR FAMILY FORWARD

(Matthew 2:13-15.19-23)

Today is the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Today, God reveals to Joseph as the protector of the family, being the Father, His will for every Family. Do you know the will of God for your family? Do you have any dream concerning your family and what God has planned for your family? With the aid of today's Gospel Reading, let us try to figure out what God desires from each and everyone of our homes.

That you may move along together

Addressing the father in the person of Joseph, God said: "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee..." The family is never a place of individualism, it is not a place of suffering or enjoying alone. 'Alonism' has no place in the family of the Children of God. To move forward, to rise, to ascend, to improve, to develop a family must act as one. They must not allow anything to put a knife on the thing holding them together so that they may remain firm and not fall apart. Who is that person in your family you sidetrack? Who is that member of your family you relegate to the background? Who is that person in your home you leave behind during decision making? Who is that family member you fail to take seriously because of his disadvantaged situation in physique, finance, or education? Reason together, move ahead together, go as one, the father with the mother and children. This is a complete family. Always go together if you want to succeed. Don't leave anyone behind if not the enemy will come from behind and do havoc through him. Go to Church together. Be together always. Pray together even. The family that prays together stays together.

Flee from trouble

Some families are well-known for their troublemaking. Some are known for their no-nonsense character. Some must retaliate whatever evil done to them. But the lesson from the Holy family today is that you may have all it takes to fight back but it is more honourable to run from trouble. Onye ujo jikwanu ndu ya na onye ike. Just see Jesus (God) running from ordinary Herod(man)

And it must come to pass

No bad condition in your family can be permanent. So have strong hope that someday God will overpower the Herods fighting against your family. And till he dies, remain in the state where God wants you to be. God will reinstate you at the appropriate time, all you have lost will be returned to you. Be patient, training your children. You will be rewarded. Be strong in facing that challenge. It will never break you.

Take council from God

The downfall of many families today is that they listened to evil councillors. Seek the mind of God when you are in confusion. Do not divorce that your wife, do not disown that your child, do not sell that family property, do not intimidate that your brother. Those giving you bad advice go behind to mock your family. Never go to them for they are incompetent to hear your family problems. Come together and resolve whatever issue amicably.

May the peace, love, joy and blessings of the Lord abide with you and your family now and for ever. May your family grow from strength to strength. May your homes be a place you can always go and find solace. May God break every chain of discord in our families and make our families as blessed as the Holy family through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Christmas to you and Happy Feast of the Holy Family (Year A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh