Soul Food for Sundays

Soul Food for Holy Family Sunday (29th December 2024)

Reflections 19th December 2024
Luke 2:41-52

The Author: Wilfred Otubo
calendar_today Date: December 15, 2024 - 3 minutes read


“I am afraid I won’t be able to attend because I need to take care of my family.” Have you ever received a response like that? How did it make you feel?

Family is incredibly important and plays a vital role in our lives; it helps define who we are and provides a sense of belonging to each one unless something is wrong.

Holy Family Sunday is a meaningful time for us to reflect on the importance of families. It’s a day dedicated to contemplating family life as exemplified by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – a powerful testament to community, unity and love. The readings remind us that we are all part of a larger spiritual family, connected in faith.

And the Gospel narratives tell us of the journey Jesus, Mary and Joseph undertook to Bethlehem. There, Mary faced the challenges of giving birth in difficult conditions and they fled into exile, worried about losing Jesus at the temple.

These stories demonstrate that no family is perfect; no household is without its challenges! It’s a call for us that, even in our imperfections, we strive for betterment. As the evangelist Luke emphasizes, the love, unity and devotion exhibited, the Holy Family inspires us to confront the beauty and difficulties that families face today.

Looking to the Holy Family as a role model of families, gives us hope. It shows us that with faith, strength, and love, we can overcome any obstacle. We know many families that encounter hardships which threaten their bonds, yet like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we can choose to remain united and consistently seek God’s guidance.

We shouldn’t forget that the family functions as a small church, our first community where we instil faith and values. It is our responsibility to cherish and protect this sense of community.

We must acknowledge that, while conflicts can disturb our harmony, we will not let them define us. When families face difficulties, the entire community suffers. Its why as a whole, we must uphold kindness, forgiveness, understanding, love, and care for the greater good of our communities.

Therefore, we pray confidently to the Lord that, through the shared message, all families who support us and those in need will receive their heart’s desires. Let us embrace the love of the Holy Family in our lives and ensure our families are places of joy, faith, and hope for all.
Amen.

The Spiritans Emblem

Wilfred Otubo

From the Province of Uganda, Wilfred was ordained to the diaconate on 1st December 2024. Appointed to Ireland, he has a Diploma in Spirituality (Applied Youth Ministry) from St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth where he is currently studying Theology.