THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS 2010 / 2011 : FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY...........

On the second day of Christmas, this year Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we continue our Catholic-Christian Discipleship celebrastion of the mystery pof the Holy Birth of the Messiah, Jesus The Christ,. God's Redeeming Son.  As we savor the Gift of Salvation attained for us by God taking on our human flesh, we look to the outstanding example of Faith, Family, Fellowship, and Fidelity, found in the loving interpersonal relationships in the Home at Nazareth, between the Christ Child, and His Blessed Mother Mary, and her Faithful Husband and Jesus' Adoptive
Father, Joseph.  First and foremost, The Holy Family were People of Faith.  They believed in God and were true to the practice of Judaism, and as His parents, nurtured and developed the Faith of their young son, preparing him lovingly for his Public Ministry and Paschal Mystery, as the Co-Eternal Son of God the Father and Redeemer / Reconciler of Humankind.  Family Life was at the heart of their Home and they lived it out as every human family should, with unconditional Love for one another.  Mary caring for her husband and so tenderly and true; Joseph teaching his trade as a carpenter, to the Child Jesus; and Jesus obediently learning and valuing the example of Holiness and Unity they achieved as a Family.  The Fellowship of God's Spirit in generosity and hospitality, were also central attributes of The Holy Family.  Like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we too - are challenged by the Law of Love, and God's Commandments, The Beatitudes, The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and Gospel Values, to be generous, hospitable, and socially, interactive with our Families, Friends, Fellow Believers, and even Strangers.  Fidelity to the Life, and Salvation, that are ours in God's Anointed One and Our Lord and Savior, is also an essential practice of our Families, exemplified by The Holy Family.  And so, in the continuing affirmation of Christmas, may you and your families be blessed on this Feast of the Holy Family, with authentic Faith, Family, Fellowship, and Fidelity..........In The Light Of The Incarnate Word That Is Christ Jesus The Lord Of All Creation,   Fr.  Troy