A Very Real Family

Dear Friends,

Today’s liturgy, the Holy Family, has always been one of my favorites. Perhaps because I look at Jesus, Mary and Joseph not as an ethereal family, but a very real one. They had their share of problems, as families do today. Mary, a young 14 or 15 year old girl, saying “yes” to God, as she would bring Jesus into our world, never thinking her son would die such a shameful death. Joseph, a middle class carpenter, trying to provide for his family. Jesus, a baby who was like any newborn today, waking parents at odd times throughout the night. I recall a picture of Mary sleeping on a mat with Joseph taking care of the baby. It would have fallen to Joseph, the father, to be the one to teach his son about the scriptures and it would be with his father, not his mother, that he would have sat with in the synagogue for Saturday worship. Women sat in one section and the boys with their fathers in another. I can visualize a grieving wife as she mourned the death of her husband, Joseph. Similar grief would be for her son who would die before her.

This feast day always conjures up memories of my own parents and the constant love and support that they always gave to their three children. One of the best definitions of holiness I have ever read: A holy person is a whole person, open to the needs of all. My parents were just that – open to our needs. And those “needs” were not necessarily all of our “wants.” Their presence, love, concern and yes, their discipline were the paramount needs. I often have said that being the son of a mailman we didn’t get everything that we wanted, but we got everything that we needed. As I read about or observe some children today, it saddens me to see that often they get everything they want and not enough of what they really need. Presence is more important than presents.

Of all the gifts given to me by my parents, of course the most important, was life and love. I am most grateful that my Irish Catholic Dad married my French Protestant Mom. Because of that union, I was part of a very diverse group of people: Aunts, uncles, cousins who were Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran and Jewish. Quite unusual coming from a family like this in a state that is still 68% Catholic. That “gift” opened my eyes to diversities and accepting ALL people, which I try to emulate as Pastor. As long as I am Pastor- everyone- will always find the doors open to them. That is what I admire most in our new Pope Francis. He celebrated his Birthday, two weeks ago, by inviting three homeless, along with their dog, to dine at his table!

Although the two most influential people in my life are no longer here, their memory and everything that they taught are a part of my life. Today, treasure YOUR families. Don’t take them for granted. Life, truly, is too short.

“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home
That all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of
Human society, are created, strengthened and maintained.”

(Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister 1874-1965)