Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Family life as many of us knew it growing up is experiencing a major makeover in the 21st century.  There are even movements in our culture to change the definition of marriage and family.  Well, today we get back to basics in family life with this celebration of the feast of the Holy Family.

In one of his recent books, the popular spiritual writer Matthew Kelly claims that the biggest lie in the history of Christianity is that holiness is not possible.  Of course holiness is possible… especially if you think of living a holy life as just trying to create a series of holy moments, one at a time.  Open yourself up to God...make yourself available to him... set aside your own self interest and personal desire.  And for one moment you simply do what you believe God is calling you to do.  Kelly says if you develop a habit of collaborating with God at least one moment a day, you will eventually become the best version of yourself, which is a holy person.

Family life has definitely changed in the 21st century, but the call to be a holy family has not.  May the example and prayers of the Holy Family enable all our families to live in peace and love and to become holy families in our time… it may seem like a daunting challenge but if we all strive for one holy moment each day we know in faith and with the grace of the Eucharist that nothing is impossible with God!