28 December.  Holy Family Sunday.    Read, reflect, share, pray.  This special day, the 1st Sunday after Christmas, that commemorates the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, calls on every human family to be a holy family. Holy, most simply means whole or complete, not only just having our lives in order in a practical way, but living with awareness of God.   God’s love and mercy for each of God’s creatures, human and more, must be a reality in and beyond our immediate circle. It means striving for peace, beginning in the home and experiencing the “joy of love” that Pope Francis spoke of. and Pope Leo prays for. Everyone, in every family too, is invited to participate in the ongoing process of building our relationships through family dialogue and faith sharing as we reflect, share and listen, walking together into our future and that of the Church and all of its families. 

Scripture: When the time came the parents of Jesus brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Simeon took him in his arms, blessed God and said, “My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” They returned to Nazareth and the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favour of God was upon him. Luke 2:22-40 Pope Francis: No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed; families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love. this is a vocation born of the Trinity, of Christ and his Church and the loving community which is the Holy Family of Nazareth. AL 325.

OUR BLESSING PRAYER :  May the Lord bless our home and all who live here.  May our home be always filled with the presence of God, in the love, peace and joy shared amongst us and when there is conflict make us willing to be reconciled. May we always care for one another as a true family of God and reach out to share our love with others. We ask this in the name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen