The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today the Church solemnly celebrates the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Holy Family is the most wonderful examples for all fathers, mothers and children in the family. St. Joseph is a righteous and faithful father. He has a strong faith in God and trust in the child Jesus and his holy mother. He guides his family in a spirit of responsibility, diligence and hard work. Mary is a loving, humble, caring and trustful mother. She is exemplary in a prayer life. She takes care of her family's work as well as her husband Joseph and her child Jesus. Jesus is a good and loving son. He obeys and respects his parents Joseph and Mary, and grows up every day in wisdom and virtue, especially in taking care of "God the Father's house".

Through the life of Jesus, we have learned that he placed the center of his life on God through spending time with God the Father. Thus, we can understand that our family's life will have joy, peace and happiness if we know how to stick with God in prayer life and always place Him in the center of the family. Indeed, family prayer life plays a very important role to bring all in the family together. If you want to have a happy and holy family you can't help but pray. Why? Because when you and your family members pray together all your relationships are improved and strengthened. Pray to God everywhere at all times and thank God for everything that he has given.

Today, many Christian families spend less time in prayer together, but more time for television, internet, cell phone, entertainment ... and many other things. And the consequence is the isolation and division, because the family is not guided and nourished by the Word of God, and it does not see the grace and presence of God in the family life. When praying together, everyone in the family is guided by the Lord and every member learns the lesson of love and forgiveness.

If children come to God in prayer, they cannot not love and respect their parents who are the images and representatives of God on earth. If the couple has unforgivable things, when they pray, they will see the goodness and generosity of God. He forgives us, we must forgive each other ... In life, especially in family life, we face many difficulties and sufferings in this way or another. Let us look up the Cross of the Lord and pray, we will see all the answers and find the meaning and value of suffering in our journey of life and faith. In addition, come to Church to receive the Sacraments, especially the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist, so that we may get closer to God and live in his love and mercy.

The feast of the Holy Family is the feast of every family. The home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Nazareth is very holy and special because it is always filled with love, respect and trustfulness. It is a home where all members always invite God come to their home and put God first in all they think, do and say. Learning from the Holy Family, each of our families needs to invite God to come and stay in our family, so that he may strengthen us to overcome all quarrels and division, and help us to love and forgive one another.

In order to have peace, joy and happiness in the family, each of us must live in the right position as the father, the mother, the husband, the wife, and the children as St. Paul advised, " Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.” (Col. 3:21)

As we continue to celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let us pray to God, our heavenly Father that he may make all parents aware of their important roles and responsibilities in the family, thereby knowing to fulfill their duties, love and education of their children. May the children love and obey the parents and become good members of the Church and society! Amen.