Fr. Bob's Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family - Guest Post - Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family In June of 1947, a famous book was published titled “The Diary of a Young Girl.” It is known to most of us as, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Today, it’s read in countless middle schools across the world. Anne Frank was born in 1929 to a Jewish family in Germany. When she was just five years old, her family fled to Amsterdam to escape the growing horrors of the Nazi regime. By 1940, however, the Nazis had invaded the Netherlands, trapping the Frank family once again. Otto Frank, Anne’s father, took his family and hid from the Nazis in a small, upper apartment in Amsterdam, with the help of some non-Jewish friends. They stayed secretly hidden for more than two years, during which Anne carefully detailed her experiences in her diary. She wrote about her fears, her dreams and her faith in humanity. Eventually, they were discovered. The family was sent to concentration camps, where they endured terrible suffering. Only Otto Frank survived – but he made sure his daughter’s voice, her words and her spirit would never be forgotten. So, what does this have to do with the Feast we celebrate today – the Feast of the Holy Family? Much more than we might realize. It’s easy to picture the Nativity as calm and peaceful, the way it appears on our Christmas cards. But the truth is far different. Jesus’ birth involved poverty, uncertainty and danger. Bethlehem was small, ordinary and would be considered poor by today’s standards. The manger they laid Jesus in was nothing more than a feeding trough for animals. And not long after Jesus’ birth, Joseph was warned to flee to Egypt, in order to escape King Herod’s rage. The Holy Family became refugees, strangers in a foreign land, relying entirely on God’s protection and providence. Both stories – Anne Frank’s and the Holy Family’s – remind us of two powerful truths. First, that parents will go to any length to protect their children. Otto Frank, Mary and Joseph risked everything to preserve the lives entrusted to them. And second, these stories show us that love – steadfast, sacrificial love – is the most powerful force in the world. It can carry us through anything, even fear and exile. While we each belong to our own families, we are also part of a larger one: the Church, the family of God. Servant of God Father Paul Wattson, our founder here at Graymoor, once wrote: “God made the Church as a family of His children on earth.” That is why we gather each week – to be nourished by God’s Word and united by His love in the Eucharist. My friends, it’s been three days since Christmas. The holiday luster might be wearing off. We’ve eaten the warm meals; enjoyed the family gatherings. Some gifts may have already been returned or exchanged, and the chocolate Santas are on the clearance shelves. But stop and think about the Holy Family. Recognize unconditional love. The last words of Anne Frank’s diary were, “Despite everything, I still believe people are good at heart.” That same spirit of hope shines in the Holy Family – in Joseph’s courage, in Mary’s trust and in the Christ Child, who came to bring light into our world. May that light of Jesus guide our families, our faith and our hearts in the year ahead. Yours in Christ, Fr. Robert Warren, S.A. Spiritual Director