This Sunday is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Appropriate just after Christmas Day, the Church asks us to contemplate the first Christian family, and to let the light of that Holy Family illumine our families.

Calling disciples, Christ called together a new family, not of blood but of faith. This is the new universal family transcending blood, tribe, race, and nation. But doing so, he didn’t destroy earthly families. He just gave them new purpose. Since Jesus, the point of families is to make saints, families of believers making new believers to belong to the family of God, the Church, the universal Catholic family.

So, for us, what are we doing to invite our children into the family of God, the Church? Are we sharing the faith? Are we praying for them? This is very hard work, I know. But it’s the whole point of families. Our families are not ends in themselves; they exist to grow the kingdom of God.

Give thanks for your family and for all families. And pray that families will be renewed in their purpose—that they will pray more and aspire to the sanctity meant for them.

Happy Christmas! It’s still Christmas, you know. Have a blessed New Year too!