Holy People

What can we learn from the Holy Family? It might be helpful to begin by taking a closer look at the word HOLY.

Holy people might have qualities which somehow set them apart from ordinary people, a sense of being somewhat removed from the world. Let us reexamine the concept of HOLY and redefine it as the ability to form deep and meaningful relationships. It is a certain openness for the real elements of our existence. With this in mind, let us take a fresh look at the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Defining Jesus

Jesus, the infant lying in the manger, Jesus, the man dying on the cross, is not some quasi-divine being who landed on Earth like a UFO over 2000 years ago. The fourth ecumenical council in the year 451, The Council of Chalcedon, gathered together once and for all to define the incarnation of Jesus: Jesus, is truly God and truly man.

"So, following the saintly fathers, we all with one voice teach the confession of one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: the same perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity, the same truly God and truly man, of a rational soul and a body; consubstantial with the Father as regards his divinity, and the same consubstantial with us as regards his humanity; like us in all respects except for sin; begotten before the ages from the Father as regards his divinity, and in the last days the same for us and for our salvation from Mary, the virgin God-bearer as regards his humanity; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only-begotten, acknowledged in two natures which undergo no confusion, no change, no division, no separation; at no point was the difference between the natures taken away through the union, but rather the property of both natures is preserved and comes together into a single person and a single subsistent being; he is not parted or divided into two persons, but is one and the same only-begotten Son, God, Word, Lord Jesus Christ, just as the prophets taught from the beginning about him, and as the Lord Jesus Christ himself instructed us, and as the creed of the fathers handed it down to us."

Growing Up Jesus

Just as every person, Jesus learned to walk and talk, he learned to shape his heart and personality. This is what makes Jesus so remarkable, and compelling. His love for the poor and simple-minded people, his compassion and readiness to help the suffering, to seek the truth and stand up for justice was learned step by step within his family. It was learned from his relatives, family, friends, and of course through Mary and Joseph. With all of their joy of having a child, I think it is safe to assume that Mary and Joseph also faced challenges. Let us recall the text from Luke’s Gospel when the Holy Family went to the Temple with Jesus when he was 12 years old. On their way home, they realised Jesus was not with them. After relentless searching, the worried parents finally found him three days later, in the temple. Jesus asked them, almost disapprovingly, "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" During his life Jesus did not avoid conflicts, he confronted them. Certainly he must have also learned how to argue. Argue, but not in a petty, spiteful or malicious way.

He argued openly and honestly without the intention to hurt another. In this way, the Holy Family interacted and lived in fellowship with others in their community.

The Connection to God

On the surface they seem like a normal family. Despite all of the seemingly normalcy of the Holy Family, there are some aspects that really impress me. They serve as an example of their deep connection to God and their willingness and strong commitment to carrying out and fulfilling His divine plan.

Mary openly identifies herself as the servant of the Lord.
Joseph does not let Mary's mysterious pregnancy deter him from listening the divine guidance in his dream. He remains faithful, even in a situation that might seem challenging.
Mary and Joseph willingly allow God to radically disrupt their own life plans.

Such willingness demands trust. Enormous faith in God and confidence in the goodness of others. For me, this is another characteristic of holy people. They are open and receptive to the reality and the truth of God and humankind. Like Abraham, Sara, Simeon and Anna – they lived a devout life in the presence of God. Abraham and Sara were open for the path of salvation – Simeon and Anna saw the Redeemer, the Savior – Jesus. People such as these live, work, love, rejoice, suffer, give thanks, and pray with the awareness of being beloved children of God.

Connecting to St. Paul's Letter

It is through the actions and attitudes of such people, God’s light shines through them. St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Colossians:

“Put on, as God’s chosen ones,
holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.”

And here my friends, is the decisive point:
What space does God occupy in my life?
What space do my fellow human beings occupy?

God - Devoted

Despite all the efforts of their parents, children will follow their own path, no matter how much joy, sorrow or disappointment it may bring their parents. Parents may sometimes feel helpless. I try to encourage them to trust their children in the hands of God, especially when the feelings of powerlessness overwhelm them. Amidst all of these challenges, what remains?

The power of prayer.

Mary and Joseph consecrated their child to God. They dedicated Jesus for a purpose, higher than their own. A divine purpose. Mary and Joseph can be role models and an example to all parents. United in prayer, let us seek God’s blessing for our children, for our families, our friends for our community and for all of humankind.

I am convinced: Nothing shapes our society as much as what is lived and cultivated within the family whether positive or not. No person ever miraculously dropped from the sky. No person ever entered our world as Holy. Each individual being has had to work on and shape their characters. The essence of each being has been established through the gifts of God and the dedication of parents.

Let us ask God for His blessing for us and all families.

Praised be Jesus Christ – now and forever. Amen.