One of the oldest and most deeply lived human experiences is family. Family is the first place where we learn love, trust, forgiveness, and belonging. Families today take many forms—nuclear and single-parent families, extended and blended families, adoptive and foster families. What makes a family a family is not its structure, but love, care, and mutual support. God became Emmanuel—God with us—by being born into a family; that alone gives dignity, meaning, and sacredness to every family.

As human beings, we naturally long for perfection, especially in our families—because family is the source and sustenance of life. Yet the Gospel gently corrects our idea of what a “perfect” family looks like. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph was not perfect in the way we often imagine.

Jesus was born in a stable, not in comfort. Joseph wrestled with fear and confusion before learning to trust God’s plan. The family fled as refugees to Egypt to escape violence. Mary and Joseph anxiously searched for their lost child. They lived many years of ordinary, hidden labor, and Mary would one day stand beneath the Cross of her Son. This was real family life. So why do we call them the Holy Family?

They are holy not because everything went right, but because they loved it rightly. In Scripture, holiness does not mean a life without weakness; it means faithfulness amid weakness. Joseph chose mercy over judgment and obedience over fear. Mary said “yes” to God even when she did not fully understand. Jesus lived obedience, humility, and love within a human family. Together, they trusted God even when life did not make sense.

The Holy Family teaches us:

Your family does not have to be perfect to be holy.
Struggles do not disqualify you from God’s grace.
Love lived daily—patiently, faithfully, quietly—is holiness.

A family becomes holy not by having no wounds, but by allowing God to dwell within those wounds. May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph bless your homes. Happy Feast of the Holy Family!

In Christ,
Fr. Lijoy Jose, OFM Cap.
Pastor