On the Feast of the Holy Family, What Does a Holy Family Look Like?

My family went to the 5 p.m. Mass last night so our older son could participate in a 12-hour music making marathon at a friend's house. His friends do this at least once a year and come out with a couple of songs. It's a good thing we went to that Mass because since this morning I have been laid low by what I would delicately call a "nasty stomach bug." Believe me, that is a euphemism.

Yesterday's homilist, pastor Fr. Tom Odorizzi, C.O.,  told us that families striving for holiness support one another, love one another and look out for one another. And he added that growing up in a family of four children, his family, unfortunately, didn't always reflect that ideal. Neither did my family growing up. Neither always does the family my husband and I are raising. But from my perch here in the master bedroom, between trips to the bathroom, sips of diet ginger ale and copious amounts of sleep, I have realized that right now, my family is a blessing to me that  reflects those ideals of love and charity.


You see, while I have been sleeping, my husband and sons have been cleaning the house, fetching me medicine from Rite Aid, moving laundry and roasting chicken. Not only are they doing this without complaint, but I can hear some great conversations happening downstairs about college football plays, Big Bang Theory plot twists and other topics.

This isn't how we might have liked to spend this last Sunday before we all return to work and school. But family life is about sharing each other burdens, in addition to sharing laughter and fun.

 O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.