Peace be with you! A blessed #LaudatoSiSunday everyone and a prosperous New Year. This Sunday is the Feast of the Holy Family and Monday is the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God. In the Gospel, we learned that Jesus “grew and became strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him. He went down to Nazareth and lived under Joseph and Mary’s authority, and Mary “stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and favor with God and with people.”

In the family, we grow and learn together. It is where our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and strength are nourished and taken care of. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that “the relationships within the family bring an affinity of feelings, affections, and interests, arising above all from the members’ respect for one another.” (CCC 2206). Further, “the Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task.” (CCC, 2205)

Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si’ passage 213, says that “in the family, we first learn how to show love and respect for life; we are taught the proper use of things, order, and cleanliness, respect for the local ecosystem and care for all creatures.” (LS 213)

Sisters and brothers, let us altogether nourish the seeds of faith, hope, and love within our families like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. As the Holy Father suggests – we must “learn to ask without demanding, to say ‘thank you’ as an expression of genuine gratitude for what we have been given, to control our aggressivity and greed, and to ask forgiveness when we have caused harm.” (LS 213).

Thank God for your family, your parents, your sisters and brothers, your relatives. Pray for them. Have a meaningful and blessed New Year!