The Feast of the Holy Family
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Today is the Feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Yet they are not all the members of this family. God the Father created and invited all the angels and humans to share in his own blessed life. Those who choose to give themselves to God in love receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and become an adopted son or daughter of God with Jesus as the eldest of many brothers and sisters. In this family of God, Mary is our spiritual Mother, Joseph is our spiritual Father, the saints and the angels are our brothers and sisters.
In this family we are called to take care of one another.
Therefore, God endows each one of us with gifts to carry out a responsibility for the good of others. God can override this if He wants, but He prefers to take care of His family through the members. When we do our part everyone benefits. When we chose not to, everyone suffers. Do you know your part? Are you playing your role well?
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In God’s plan Mary would be not only the Mother of Jesus, but also the Spiritual Mother of all those who have Jesus dwelling in them – all believers. From the throne of His Cross Jesus proclaimed to the world that Mary is the Mother of all the beloved disciples, of all those He loves and He loves every one, therefore Mary is the Spiritual Mother of all people. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son. Then to the disciple he said, 'This is your mother'. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his heart. John 19:26-27
CCC 501 Jesus is Mary's only (biological) son, but her spiritual motherhood extends to all men whom indeed he came to save: "The Son whom she brought forth is he whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren, that is, the faithful in whose generation and formation she co-operates with a mother's love.
Devotion to Mary simply means to imitate Jesus’ relationship with Mary and allow ourselves to be cared for, educated and guided by Mary just as she did for Jesus. God’s plan is for us to be cared for by a Mother.
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St. Joseph was the father, protector and provider of the Holy Family with Jesus and Mary. Jesus lives in the hearts of all believers. St. Joseph continues to be the spiritual father, protector and provider for the Church, the mystical Body of Christ, and for every Christian who has Jesus living within them.
Devotion to St Joseph is to imitate the relationship Jesus had with St Joseph. Jesus had a daily personal relationship with Joseph. Joseph held Jesus in his arms. Because of this intimacy between Joseph and Jesus, Joseph has a powerful role of intercession with Jesus on our behalf. Live like Jesus did. Live a deep friendship with Joseph, moment to moment, day after day, entrusting or consecrating all your needs to him. Joseph is your spiritual father – develop a personal relationship with him – go confidently to him with all your needs – and experience his miraculous care.
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Have you ever considered angels your brothers? They also form part of God’s family because they too are united to God, sharing in His divine life. For that is what it means to be in heaven. CCC 336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. St Basil tells us “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Our guardian angel can anticipate all danger, help you against all temptation, help you solve all problems you can’t solve on your own and help you take advantage of all the opportunities God wants for you. Begin talking with your angel throughout the day, they are real persons by your side, and pay close attention to the inspirations they give and the ways they guide you. Go to them often.
St Faustina, in the Diary of Divine Mercy writes: I thanked God for His goodness, that He gives us angels for companions. Oh, how little people reflect on the fact that they always have beside them such a guest, and at the same time a witness to everything! Remember, sinners, that you likewise have a witness to all your deeds.
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And we also are members of the Holy Family, sons and daughters of God but also spiritual sons and daughters of Mary and Joseph, and siblings of Jesus, the saints and the angels. Just as they have a responsibility to care for us, we have a responsibility to care spiritually and materially for others. An attitude of entitlement is one in which I think I am not responsible for myself and I am not responsible for others. Well, we are spiritually responsible for others. Too often Catholics have the false idea that evangelization, helping others to Jesus is “not their job.” It most certainly is! That is unless, you are not part of the family. If you are part, then it is your job.
To help you fulfill your role we formed the Movement of the Holy Family - a Church sanctioned way to join with like minded people who want to help others to Jesus but need a little help and guidance.
The first way the Movement can help you is that when you become a member, then you share in all the graces and merits of al the members. Now you are not just a solitary soldier but part of an army. By offering up your prayer, work, joy and suffering you add to and share in the spiritual reservoir at your disposal for the grace and conversion of friends and loved ones.
Furthermore, we are committed to giving you ongoing practical guidance and equipping to make you more effective in carrying out your role.