THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals The Holy Family 13 January 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friends, 

As we consider the beauty and majesty of the Holy Family we are inspired to draw as near as possible in our own lives to this grand ideal of family life. The Holy Family inspires us with the ideal of family life but also enlightens every individual life as well. Not only, father, mother, and child, but also, neighbor, friend, employee, employer, teacher, student, etc. are instructed by this Holy Family. Everyone can find inspiration in this Holy Family for every situation. In essence every station in this life is but an extension of the family. 

St. Paul in the Epistle for today spells out the virtues that are necessary for us to fulfill in our lives the ideal that we see in the Holy Family_ He does not hesitate to place the virtue of charity above them all. Humility, meekness, etc. are most wonderfully displayed in the Holy Family and inspire us with the need to practice them ourselves, but charity is the crown of them all. Love encompasses every virtue, and shines over them all giving each virtue some of its own luster. It is charity that animates St. Joseph as the head of the family. He has not only the right, but actually the duty to lead and to command. To command is an obligation and duty not just an honor Those in authority take the place of God and must do their best to be worthy of this position and must oversee with the charity of God. Those who fail to command and fulfill this duty as head are just as guilty as those who arrogate power that does not belong to them. Too often we see that people do not know how to properly execute their position of authority. There are many who want to arrogate to themselves authority that they do not have. Such arrogance is repulsive to everyone especially those who find themselves subject (either willingly, or by force or circumstances) to these "leaders" who do not have the grace to that vocation that they have stolen. There are others that God has called to this vocation and they fail to use God's grace and very often either act as tyrants, or inept bunglers. What is lacking in these various scenarios is the virtue of charity. Yes, they do need the other virtues such as: humility, faith, and the courage of their convictions etc. but above all if they would only love one another, each would find his proper station, as well as the true joy that is to be found in that station. 

St. Joseph, we might argue, is less in dignity than both Jesus and Mary, but it is he that God gave authority to. The grace and ability to head or lead has more to do with the grace of vocation than it has to do with intellect, or dignity. St. Francis once said that he would humbly and faithfully obey a novice of one day if he were placed over him, just as he would humbly and faithfully obey the oldest and wisest. It is not the person of the superior that is important. It is the office and the grace of the office that is important.

The ways of this world fly right in the face of this ideal. What the world thinks is necessary to head or to lead is contrary to what God sees as necessary. Superiors must first make sure that they have the grace of their vocation and have not stolen their way into power: and then they must develop and foster true love for all their subjects. When charity is firmly established they will not become tyrants nor will they be door mats. Charity will prevent pride, arrogance and all other abuses of power that may tempt us. 

Next in power and authority in the Holy Family we see Mary, both wife and mother. She gives the example for all women. There is no shame or weakness in being subject to another (even one that is perhaps less). Mary shines forth in all holiness, humility, patience, etc. In sacrificing her will to St. Joseph, she loses nothing, but rather gains much. When St. Joseph or any decent husband or head sees that his authority is not challenged but that his wife lovingly sacrifices her will to his, he invariably will ask of her nothing that she will find objectionable. He cannot help but reciprocate the love he receives from her. They form one body as head and heart working together as one. She obeys with love and willingly so he is inspired to command with kind and gentle love. 

This is of course easy when all is well. Our true spiritual development only shines forth when it is put to the test. In the heat of a trial or temptation; when it appears or actually is that the head is wrong or unfair or unjust, this is when we must as subjects humble ourselves in submission for the love of God and the head (obeying in all that is not sinful). It is this humbling that inspires those in charge with a greater necessity to command gently and lovingly. The harm that they do or cause those subject to them will if they cooperate with the grace, strike their consciences all the more, because even in the face of their own sufferings or hardships they obeyed so the responsibility of all the hardships lies with the head. In this manner wives can inspire and lead their husbands to God and His grace. 

This is even more perfectly seen in the obedience of the Christ Child. Jesus was subject to both Joseph and Mary. His obedience was prompt, willing, and lovingly given (The perfect example for us all) and in this manner He brought both of His parents to draw closer to God and love Him all the more. He obeyed with charity so they commanded with charity. 

If we seek to check or correct our heads we should first see if we are obeying as Jesus did. If we have obeyed in this manner we can then pray and hope for a change in those God has placed over us. There is no greater honor than to suffer injustice for the love of God, so likewise is there no greater means to change and convert others.