Readings and meditation on the Word of God on Sunday, Feast of the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, December 28th, 2025

Delivered by Margareth, Greg, Kezia, Svara Nirmala from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Sirach 3: 2-6.12-14; Rs psalm 128: 1-2.3.4-5; Colossians 3: 12-21; Matthew 2: 13-15.19-23.TOGETHER WE CARE FORFAMILY The title for ourmeditation on this Feast of the Holy Family is: Together We Care for Family. Fromthe moment of creation, God has created humans to live in the family, whichbegins with mutual love between a man and a woman. From there comes marriageand the offspring it produces. The first andforemost commandment for the family life is a man to take a woman as his wifeand they live in unity of one flesh. One man and one woman united by God on thebasis of love and in the name of God. Another equally important commandment isthat marriage produces offspring. For a marriage toremain united, then the children of the marriage grow in accordance withexpectations, therefore, discipline in life is needed. According to the Scripturereadings of today, we can call this discipline of life a common responsibilityto care for the family. God forms a familynot with just one person, but one man and one woman plus children with theuniqueness of each. They must walk and work together to build a family. Theyare together not only when the family is happy or having good moments of growthand life. They must be stronger in unity and cooperation among its members whendifficulties and threats come to endanger the life of the family. God wishes parentsand children’s relationship must be taken care to help families to become happy,peaceful and healthy in their journey of life. According to the book of Sirach,a man of faith who fears God and is faithful to His commandments, must practiceit through obedience to his parents. We believe that parents are God'srepresentatives to us on this world. The way we together carefor families is also mentioned in the teaching of Saint Paul in the secondreading today. It says that a family must live with love. The family beginswith the love of a husband and a wife, is built in love, and expected to finallyarrive at perfect love, which is in unity with God. The story of the HolyFamily of Nazareth who fled to Egypt is an example of how we together care forfamilies when they are in trouble, under threat, and in danger. This commonduty  is done not only among the membersof one’s family or neighbors, but also with the power of God who intervenes.When God intervenes in our trouble and problematic families, the work of caringfor them will be easier and meeting its good end. God helps when the family is introuble.  Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, may this Sunday, Feast of the Holy Family help our families to livemore faithful and obedient to You. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name ofthe Father ...