The Holy Family is a Model for All Families
The family plays an extraordinary role in human life and society, which is why the Church wants all families to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her chaste spouse Joseph and Jesus, who make up the Holy Family of Nazareth. Let us note that the Son of God himself, in order to come to us, wanted to be born and live in the bosom of a family, thus emphasizing the importance and immutability of this most common and necessary human structure.
The family is not the result of an ordinary legal contract, subject to change and transformation over time, but it is a relationship of irreplaceable and lasting value, which is founded on the eternal and unchanging love of God, of whom it is image and reflection. Marriage is a masterpiece of creation: in it, man and woman are called to unite as one in a mutual gift of one another that lasts throughout their lives. By nature, love is constant and faithful; love is faithful and fruitful. Man and woman are called to fatherhood and motherhood - human life is unimaginable without fatherly and maternal love. Marital love is so great that it was raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament, that is, it became a means of union with God and an effective sign of Christ's unity with the Church and a sign of God's love and fidelity to people. “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (cf. Mt 19: 4-6)
The family was defined by the Second Vatican Council as the "domestic Church" - the place where the most important religious values are communicated, where the spouses should be the first and irreplaceable educators for their children who teach by word and example. The family is a place where mutual love between spouses and between parents and children develops and flourishes; The family should take care of the life of prayer, participation in the Sunday Mass and receiving the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. It should also instill love for Mary, to pray the rosary, and be a school of self-sacrifice, patience and mutual forgiveness.
In the present context of our society, we regret to see many of these core values collapse and the spread of erroneous ideologies that destroy the roots of God's institution of the family. Divorce, contraception, abortion, and extra-marital relationships, so-called same-sex marriages are just some of the many plagues that destroy the family hearth.
As the crisis that now threatens the Christian family worsens, the Church finds no better solution than presenting the admirable model that is the Family of Nazareth. The Church constantly reminds us that marriage is only between a man and a woman and blesses only this type of relationship. If any bishop or priest would say otherwise, supporting the blessing so-called same-sex union, he is already outside of One, Roman, Holy and Catholic Church.
We all know the story of the flight to Egypt and the persecution unleashed by Herod against Jesus, which is one of the most tragic moments in the life of the Holy Family. How many and how wonderful examples and teachings can we draw from the lives of Mary and Joseph! Despite great hardships during the flight and the period of exile, poverty and uncertainty, they accept all suffering with a spirit of faith and filial trust in God.
Even the most painful events do not disturb the harmony and peace of the Holy Family, because God always comes first and everything is done according to His Will. The Holy Family is the perfect model for all families; in it we can find what it is supposed to be done and how to act for the sanctification of each of its members.
Following in the footsteps of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we will learn to pray, meditate, discover and understand the mystery of the inner riches that animated their whole lives. And this wealth is: constant and full trust in God, immediate and supernatural obedience to His will and faithful observance of His holy law.
Let us hope that the families of our time will renew their awareness of their holy character and will be able to discover their divine origin and, following the exalted example of the Family of Nazareth, have become truly Christian.
Prayer of Saint John Paul II for Families
Lord God, from You every family in Heaven and on earth takes its name. Father, You are love and life.Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, the fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation
a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families
and of all the families in the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses
and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission
in the family and through the family. We ask this of You, Who is life, truth and love with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.