Feast of the Holy Family, Year A—2001 Homily

It is very appropriate that we celebrate this feast of the Holy Family at Christmas time. Christmas being such an important time for families. Very often it is the only time in the year that some families get together. And when they don't manage to get together it is frequently a cause of great sadness.

We think of Mary and Joseph and the Child Jesus as very much on the move. They are running away from the cruelty of King Herod. They run away and manage to escape, although we know that many other innocent children suffered his wrath.

This is a story which is very old and at the same time very contemporary. Refugees running away. We can think of numerous modern day examples such as Afghanistan, and all those people in the Sangat refugee centre at Calais.

The Holy Family go into exile for a number of years; until they hear that King Herod is dead and it is safe to return. How many others have suffered the same fate through the centuries? Even worse, how many others have shared the fate of the Holy Innocents and have been massacred at the whim of tyrants and cruel men?

From the very moment of his incarnation, his birth into our world, Jesus experiences the suffering of the very poorest and most innocent. This sets the tone for his short life among us, though rich in every way that is important, Jesus shares the life of the poorest. He does so even to his death on the cross.

This sharing the lot of the poor teaches us how to be his true followers. It is not simply a case of making provisions in our will. Or planning to give a certain percentage of our income in charitable donations. It is not simply a case of buying a copy of the Big Issue from a homeless person on the streets.

I don't want to devalue these things. But we see that Jesus shares his life with the poor. He even becomes poor --you notice in the Bible that Jesus is never destitute, but he still manages to share the lot of the poor. He identifies with the poor in a way which enables them to approach him easily.

Perhaps it is because he refrains from judgement. He treats them as brothers and sisters. He welcomes them to share not only his goods but his time and his company. He shows them that he loves them. His presence is truly healing.

We have celebrated Christ's birth; we have rejoiced and celebrated to the full this very important anniversary of the incarnation. We have as Christians surely at this time of celebration and sharing of gifts made a very special effort to be kind to the poor. We have also most likely made an even more special effort to be more loving in our families. We have tried to be especially understanding and caring with them.

In the year ahead let us continue in this way. Let us try to model our family life on the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Not in any soppy or sentimental way. But in being at one with those around us; being especially sensitive to the needs of the poor; giving each other the time, the space and the encouragement we need in order to grow into full stature as Christians.

We want to do all these things, I am sure. However, don't forget to begin with yourself. Love your neighbour as yourself --that means you have also to love yourself. I don't mean in any selfish way. But take special care of yourself. Give yourself the things you need in order to be really effective as a Christian and as a human being.

· Don't work too hard especially not to the neglect of your family life or your own health. How can you give people time if you don't have any to share?

· Take things a little easy and get some enjoyment out of life. The world is a marvellous place; take some delight in it. How can you share joy unless you experience it?

· Spend a little time each day apart from others and use this time to speak directly to God. How can you be a really fulfilled person or even call yourself a Christian unless you spend some time each day in prayer and meditation?

· Don't feel over anxious about experiencing feelings of anger or other strong emotions. It is often appropriate to have these feelings and the are not bad in themselves; indeed that are an indication you are a fully functioning human being. How are you going to be able to identify with others if you are a stranger to your own emotions?

So on this feast of the Holy Family, yes, make an extra special effort to be at peace with your own family and to care for them. But first, take a little care of yourself.