May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts;
let the message of Christ find a home with you.
ECCLESIASTICUS 3:2-6,12-14
My Soul's Beloved,
We live in a world where more often than not, families are not valued, children are not welcomed, and convenience and concupiscence supersede the love that husbands and wives ought to have for one another. Many live together for as long as their selfish needs are met. There is nothing remotely self-sacrificial about their feelings for each other, which are as ephemeral as dew on the grass that vanishes in the morning sun.
Today, Lord, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the Church invites us to reflect on our own relationships as parents, children, spouses, and to strive to model them on the example of the Holy Family in Nazareth.
In this new year that is just days away, may we spend a lot more time studying Your Word, Beloved, in both the Old and New Testaments, and apply it to our lives more diligently.
The Lord honours the father in his children,
and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,
he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,
he shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honours his father,
he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
My son, support your father in his old age,
do not grieve him during his life.
Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy,
do not despise him in your health and strength;
for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten
but will serve as reparation for your sins.
PSALM 127(128):1-5
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,
he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,
he shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honours his father,
he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
My son, support your father in his old age,
do not grieve him during his life.
Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy,
do not despise him in your health and strength;
for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten
but will serve as reparation for your sins.
PSALM 127(128):1-5
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
O blessed are those who fear the Lord
and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive,
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion
all the days of your life!
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive,
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion
all the days of your life!
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
COLOSSIANS 3:12-21
MATTHEW 2:13-15,19-23
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