In the Margins: What is a Holy Family? Hint: It's not about perfection

What is a Holy Family?
Hint: It's not about perfection.

Growing up in an imperfect human family, I've always found it difficult to relate to a perfect divine family.  Joseph, the strong silent type.  Mary, the sinless Virgin.  And Jesus, adored only child.  These were not people I could relate to, let alone love.  Where were the slammed doors, the hurt feelings, the misunderstandings that were a part of my family's everyday life?

In adulthood, I began to appreciate what Mary and Joseph might have been going through.  Facing my own unexpected pregnancy, I turned to Mary for solace, knowing she understood.  Remembering my desperate search for my toddler who had hidden herself under the produce display at Costco, I find consolation reading today's Gospel describing Mary and Joseph's search for their Son.  Reading between the lines of the Gospels, Joseph didn't seem quite so fuddy-duddy.  Mary's blue mantle had a little mud on it.  And Jesus was a kid who ran off and hid himself from his parents.  Just like mine.

The holiness of the Holy Family is not about being perfect.  It's not really about the externals at all.  Instead it's about love.  Love without conditions.  Love without fear.  By freeing ourselves to love the real people God has placed here with us in this time and place, we share that holiness which is not perfect but is instead good.  By God's grace, we are all God's children.  Forever and always, the Holy Family is our family.

Lisa Freese
Coordinator
Children's Faith Formation