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Lessons of Hope from the Holy Family

Through the story of the holy family, we can learn lessons about how to relate to the government, the sanctity of life, the spiritual formation of families, the calling to one’s family and faith, how to bless children, how to become part of the family of faith, and how to care for our parents.

1. Families and the government. All human families are subject to human authorities and local governments. Parents are wise to teach their children to respect law and order as they plan and live out their lives according to God’s will on Earth.

2. Sanctity of life. Children are a gift from God and deserve nurture, care, bonding, safety, security, and nourishment to grow and develop into mature human beings.

3. Spiritual formation of families. Parents are their children's primary evangelists and disciple-makers and are responsible for teaching them everything Jesus commanded. Spiritual formation habits of prayer, Bible reading and teaching, and worship should be experienced at home and supplemented by the local church.

4. Calling to family and faith. Parents are responsible for orienting their children to a sense of belonging in their family. They should be taught values like loyalty, integrity, and honesty. They should also be taught the meaning of obedience and compliance. Once these lessons are learned from earthly fathers and mothers, they’ll already be in the habit of responding in obedience and faith when the heavenly voice calls them.

5. Blessing children. Children are to be cherished and blessed at every opportunity.

6. The family of God. All children should be taught the difference between their human family and the family of faith. The simple plan of salvation should be modeled and then taught to children, with an opportunity given to respond to faith at the earliest age possible.

7. Care for parents and senior adults. Jesus was devoted to his mother even at the point of his death. Parents are to be honored and revered throughout their lives. Their children have the primary responsibility for their care.

The story of the holy family is full of humanity and divinity. While the family of Jesus was not perfect, he was. The roles and responsibilities of parents are clear in this story, as modeled by Mary and Joseph. And the message of Jesus transforms families, even the most unlikely families.

Questions for Reflection:

- What is your plan to spiritually form the children in your family besides taking them to church?

- What is your plan for caring for your aging parents in times of health and in times of need?