Feast of Holy Family 2012

Holy Family Reflection 2012
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish
Independent Catholic Church of the Americas
www.missionstsergius.org
www.franciscansdivinemercy.org


On this feast honoring the Holy Family, I thought it might be a good idea to explore exactly what constitutes a family in the 21st century.
When you look up the meaning of FAMILY in a dictionary you find the following definition. “In human context, a family from the Latin” familia” is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity; the quality of being descended from the same ancestor as another person, affinity, or co-residence.
In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children. Anthropologists most generally classify family organization as matrilocal (a mother and her children); conjugal (a wife, husband, and children, also called nuclear family); and consanguine (also called an extended family) in which parents and children co-reside with other members of one parent's family.
The one definition that the dictionary seems to leave out is THE FAMILY OF GOD.
Scripture tells us that we are children of God and heirs to heaven. In Romans 8:16-17 we read; “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”
In Luke 20 verse 36 we read the following; “They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection”
And in John 1 verse 12-13 it says; “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of Go…children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
For a final affirmation that we are all children of God and therefore Family I quote from Romans 8 verses 14 & 17; For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God….Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
On this feast honoring the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and the Infant Jesus we need to realize that every individual of the face of this earth is a member of The Holy Family. Christ gave us His earthly mother as he was dying on the cross as our heavenly mother.
It does not matter if a child is what society call “an illegitimate Child”, comes from a one parent family, or is the child of a same sex couple, or child of a traditional husband and wife all are children of God and members of the Family of God and therefore should be consider with love, compassion and never be cast aside.
The so called Extended Family of society is actually God’s Family since every living human being on the planet is a child of God and as scripture tells us heirs to God’s kingdom.
Yesterday many couples here in America were devastated because their dream of adopting a child from Russia was dashed by a law that Premier Putin of Russia instituted which forbids Americans for adopting Russian Children. We need to keep in mind that hundreds of children in Russia are institutionalized in orphanages and will never know of a loving family if they are not adopted, and the Russian people have not been able to adopt the numbers that exist.
In 1979 there was a very popular song by Sister Sledge and composed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers called WE ARE FAMILY with these words as the chorus; “We are family I got all my sisters with me We are family Get up everybody and sing”
We really need to not only sing, but sing loudly in praise of God for giving us such a diverse and wonderful family of humankind and to cherish our immediate families, heal any divisions and separations that may have evolved in our immediate families as well as in our larger families of community, Church, neighborhood and most importantly the world family.
I close this reflection with the words from the song that we should all hold deep within our hearts this Christmas Season and as we begin a New Year.
I suggest we let it become a mantra and a goal for each of us to achieve in our immediate family and in God’s Family; Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me Let this be the moment now. With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment and live each moment With peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be. With god as our father
Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me.
May God grant us the knowledge to understand His will and the desire to heal our family Bonds this Feast of The Holy Family as we enter a New Year. AMEN