THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Holy Family 8 January 2012

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friends,

The beauty and wonder of a family is beyond words, but the awesomeness of The Holy Family cannot even be compared with it.

Words cannot describe the humility of the Son of God becoming Man and obeying both Mary and Joseph. At the same time we are brought to a silent awe as we consider the dignity of Mary. She is ever virgin, and yet is the Mother of God. What an honor and privilege it is for her to be able to call God her Son, and to say to Him: “Son, why have you done this to us?” She speaks to to Him as her Child whom the angels in Heaven bow down before in silent adoration and praise. And Jesus humbles Himself to listen to her and obey.

This is the perfect proto-type for every family. Every child must look to the humility and obedience of Jesus. Every one of us is a child and we must therefore all practice these virtues. If God Himself could humble Himself, how could any creature dare become filled with such pride and vanity as to think humility is beneath him? What foolishness to think that we are better than Jesus Christ! Every one of us has some authority over us and we are called upon to submit to it as Jesus did to Mary and Joseph. We must humble ourselves and obey with prompt, willing, and eager obedience.

The authority over us is not the most perfect. Our superiors are mere human beings with their own many faults and failings. God does not command us to obey them only when they are right or perfect. We are taught that we must obey them in all things that are not sinful. It is most pleasing to God to see us bow our heads in humble obedience and sacrifice our own wills as He did His. He remained silent like a lamb not only when led before the shearers but also when He was led to the slaughter. In all things and at all times we see Jesus humbling Himself and submitting in complete obedience. We must teach ourselves to act in the same manner. If we are to find our way into Heaven it can only be through a very close following and imitation of Jesus in His humble obedience.

The dignity of parents and all those in authority must also be considered, for God has very often placed that dignity in some of us. This dignity that is given should likewise instill in us a profound appreciation for how unworthy we are of it and incite us to greater humility. As unworthy as we are we must likewise realize that all authority comes from God. Parents and superiors take the place of God and speak to their children and subjects in the name of God. It should therefore be the goal of every authority to strive to imitate God in all their actions. Our decisions should not be made with unworthy motives. We should strive to rule and judge with fore thought concerning eternal Truth and Justice.

We must not abandon our God given authority either as so many parents do these days. That is a false humility inspired by evil spirits that tempts us in this direction. We must insist that our subjects listen and obey us not because we are proud and vain, but because we love them and we want only that which is best for them. Our desire must always be to lead them to an eternal happiness in Heaven. We must lead them to obey us because we hold the place of God over them. In submitting to God given authority they are essentially submitting to God Himself.

Let us consider ourselves and our positions in relation to the Holy Family and be amazed at the dignity God has given to authority and the humility He gives to those who must obey. Let us make it our life long goal to ever obey as humbly as Jesus has done, and also to maintain our dignity and authority as St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother have shown us.