HOMILY FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

You have heard of the Jubilee Year and the Holy Doors! Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee Year, a historic event taking place every 25 years. The Holy Door closes on January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

The origin of the custom goes back to Pope Martin V, who first opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica for the Jubilee Year of 1450. The door’s opening signifies God’s mercy, which “tears down every wall of division. It dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge.” Pope Francis called for broad reconciliation, “even with our enemies.”

The opening of the Jubilee door invites us to open the doors of our homes. It also encourages us to open the doors of our hearts for reconciliation. It is such a suitable occasion on today’s feast of the Holy Family to start the change in our family. A family is where healing begins. In our home, we first find the hope and light of Jesus. Remember that as a family, we are called not to perfection but to holiness, constant reconciliation, and healing. This reality is also true to the human family of Jesus.

Our gospel reading presents a certain misunderstanding in the life of The Holy Family. For three days, Joseph and Mary could not find their son. When they finally see Him in the temple, Mary says, “Son, your father and I have been looking for you. We were filled with great anxiety.” Why were you searching for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” Mary said, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

I’m sure many of us are hurting from situations that happen within our family because of misunderstandings and other issues. Family dynamics are sometimes complicated. An encouraging line in today’s gospel appears towards the end. It says that Jesus’ mother “kept all of these things in her heart.” I presume that those things that the Gospel reading refers to are the tensions in the temple.

Mary keeps the pain in her heart. By doing so, she shows us the feelings of a mother. It also reflects the emotions of a human being in response to some of our family members’ behaviors. Mary ponders and keeps “these things” in her heart. She demonstrates that keeping pain in our hearts is perfectly fine. It is fine to keep challenging experiences with our family in our hearts. We can use those imperfect moments. They give opportunities for a better understanding of each other. These moments also offer a more profound connection with God.

God has a lesson for us to learn in our family dynamics. This lesson teaches us how to deal with the larger community of faith. Simply brushing off painful moments with family can lead to missed opportunities. Avoidance without reflection prevents growth and healing. Mary claims her sorrows. She becomes a powerful intercessor of the family. She offers comfort and understanding to those who experience pain in life.

Let us open the door of our hearts and homes to reconciliation. We will genuinely get the hope and healing that God offers us. This will happen as we start the new year.