Feast of The Holy Family
Published Dec 27, 2025 12:05 am
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Updated Dec 26, 2025 05:31 pm
WORD ALIVE
It was titled, “Flight to Egypt,” and the illustration was an airplane with Jesus, Mary and Joseph as passengers. “And who is that one in front of the plane?” the teacher asked. The pupil replied, “Ma’am, of course, that’s Pontious the Pilot!” Of course, there was no pilot and no three passengers in a plane.
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Feast of the Holy Family Sunday. Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, had their share of sufferings in rearing their child although they knew deep down that their Son was no ordinary child.
For instance, the baby Jesus was in mortal danger because King Herod regarded Jesus as a threat to his political security (Matthew 2,19-23).
The Holy Family had to flee to Egypt; hence, Jesus, Mary and Joseph became “displaced persons.”
By becoming fully human, Christ entered through the family, thus sanctifying it.
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Parents are expected to teach not just praying or going to mass but also avoiding immoral practices like gambling, stealing, and other vices. In short, parents should teach their children to “do good and avoid evil.”
Parents should show good example. For instance, if they expect their children to go to Church, they should lead them. If the parents are given to alcoholism, stealing, and constant quarreling, what can be expected of the children? Many homes nowadays have three shifts. Father is on the night shift; mother is on the day shift, and the children shift for themselves. Lesson: Parents should have time together for bonding.
The vocation of children is to honor, respect, and obey their parents. The very word “family” signifies: “Father and Mother I love you.” So, children should remember that.
Parents are not perfect. Despite this, children should honor, respect and obey them since they are God's representatives.
Parents are accountable to God when they do not teach their children God’s commandments. The book of Proverbs said: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22,6).
On the Feast of the Holy Family, let’s pray for all parents and children. May parents remember their parental vocation and Christian obligation and, above all, live them.
Happy Feast of the Holy Family to all.
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Families/unfamillies. One morning, a husband complained that their helper robbed them of a towel when she ran away. The wife said: “People nowadays have no more moral values. Which towel did she run off?” The husband replied: “The one with the logo ‘Holiday Inn.’”
The helper got the wrong value. Parents and leaders should always teach by good example.
Somebody said: “Do you know the punishment for bigamy (two wives)?”
Friend: “Yes. You will not only have two masters but two mothers-in-law!” (biyanan). And more expensive!
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Support seminarians. A certain benefactor, Salvador Monroy, once wrote me: “I give because my money did not come from me alone but from God. My life in this world is limited. I have to prepare for the inevitable. I’m doing this by sharing the blessings I received from God.”
How about emulating Mr. Monroy? Donate an amount or sponsor a seminarian's schooling for one school year. For inquiry, e-mail: [email protected].