A Homily for the Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 10:00 & 12:00 Masses
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
Audio Recording
Today, on this Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, the Church invites us to look not at a great miracle or a dramatic teaching of Jesus, but to reflect on something very close to home — family life.
Most of us encounter God not first in extraordinary moments, but in the ordinary rhythm of daily living: meals shared, worries endured, love given and received over many years.
For many of us here today — especially those of us who have had many birthdays — we know that family life is rarely simple and never perfect. And yet, it is precisely there — in imperfect families — that God chooses to dwell.
Our first reading from Sirach speaks directly to lived experience. He says: “God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.”
Then Sirach adds something especially honest: “Take care of your father when he is old… even if his mind fail, be considerate of him.” This is not sentimental advice. It acknowledges that aging can be difficult — for parents and for children — and that patience, humility, and forgiveness are often required when roles reverse.
For those of us in our retirement years, this reading affirms an important truth: our dignity does not diminish with age. Our lives, our sacrifices, and our quiet faithfulness matter deeply to God and to the Church.
And for families of all ages here today, Sirach reminds us that how we treat our elders is a true measure of our faith.
Psalm 128 proclaims, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.” The psalm does not promise a life free of hardship. Instead, it speaks about fruitfulness — often slow, quiet, and unfolding over time.
Many of us can look back over decades and see how God’s blessings did not always come quickly, but faithfully, through perseverance and trust. That wisdom — born of experience — is a gift the Church needs.
In the second reading, St. Paul is remarkably practical. He does not idealize family life. Instead, he urges us to “put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” These are not dramatic virtues; they are daily choices. Love, Paul reminds us, is what binds everything together.
And what is love? Love is willing the good of the other. It’s about putting the needs of your family members ahead of your own needs. And this isn’t always easy, is it? But it is the way of true love…love that makes sacrifices for others and doesn’t count the cost of those sacrifices.
For those of us who have raised or are raising families, these words likely sound familiar. We know that love is not merely a feeling. It is forgiveness offered again, patience practiced again, humility learned again. We know that families are sustained not by perfection, but by mercy. And for younger families present today, Paul offers hope: these virtues are learned — often by watching parents, grandparents, and elders live them faithfully.
Then we come to the Gospel. Instead of a peaceful Christmas scene, we hear of danger and flight. Joseph is warned in a dream to take Mary and the child and flee to Egypt. They leave their home in haste, become refugees, and live with uncertainty. The Holy Family was not sheltered from hardship. They faced fear, displacement, and loss of security — yet they trusted God and remained faithful to one another.
Many of us in our later years know what it is to live through uncertain times — war, illness, grief, financial hardship, and unexpected change. The Holy Family reminds us that such experiences are not signs of God’s absence. Often, they are places where faith is purified and strengthened.
So what does this feast say to us today?
For those of us who, like me, have had many birthdays, it is an affirmation: our faithfulness has borne fruit. Our steady witness reminds younger generations that faith is not something we outgrow; it is something that carries us.
And especially for our younger families here today, the Holy Family offers you reassurance: holiness is not found in perfect homes, but in faithful hearts. God works through patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, and trust.
And for all of us, this feast reminds us that the Church itself is a family — one that depends deeply on the wisdom, prayer, and presence of its elders.
Today we ask the Holy Family to intercede for all families — those gathered here, those struggling, those grieving, and those growing older together.
- May Jesus teach us to love selflessly.
- May Mary teach us to trust God’s plan.
- And may Joseph teach us quiet faithfulness and courage.
And may our own families, in every season of life, become places where Christ is welcomed, honored, and loved.
God bless you.