How can my family help others?
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
This Sunday we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In the Gospel, we hear of Joseph being visited by the angel of the Lord and being advised to flee with his family. On their journeys, the Holy Family is assisted by many communities. If the Holy Family had come to you in need of help, how would your family have helped?
Before we can help others in need, there needs to be peace and harmony within our own family. Pope Francis teaches that families should imitate “the amazement in the Holy Family.” He states that we need to treasure each member and use that love “to draw strength to face the difficulties of each day.” Sometimes there will be anguish in our families. That anguish can come from arguments, financial difficulties or even health issues. Joseph and Mary surely felt anguish for the three days when Jesus was lost in the temple, but once they found him that anguish disappeared. The same is true for our families. When we find Jesus Christ within our own families, our anguish disappears.
Once our families imitate the Holy Family, we can begin to help others in need. As I was praying about how my family could help others, the Holy Spirit reminded me that we are all a Holy Family. Our “family” is not just the immediate members but includes all of our Christian brothers and sisters. So the better question became: How can my Holy Family help those in need? The RCIA process was the answer.
All of our needs can be quenched in the waters of Baptism and in the light of Christ. We as a community and family at St. Isidore are blessed with the opportunity to assist others as they begin their journey in the Catholic faith. Just as Mary and Joseph were assisted on their journey to Nazareth, the RCIA team and the entire community is asked to support our Catechumens and Candidates as they prepare to become a part of our Catholic family. This week as we celebrate the Holy Family, let us reflect on how we as one big family can be inclusive and assist others in need to find amazement in the love of Jesus Christ.
-John Kovacik