Pastor's Letter

Our Family

One of the things about Christmas is that we naturally think about our families and where we’ve come from—even if our experiences in family life are difficult and less than ideal.  The truth is, there’s no perfect family, because there are no perfect people.
 
The exception, of course, is the Holy Family, who the Church has us reflect on today.  But even then, the Holy Family wasn’t spared from the realities of the world.  In the gospel today, we hear how the Christ Child is in danger because of the news the Magi delivered to Herod, the king of the Jews, about a new king.  The Holy Family was just as vulnerable as our own.
 
In being born, Jesus—the all-powerful king of the universe—wasn’t born alone but born into the life of a family who was there to care for him and protect him.  It helps us see that no matter how much our culture idolizes the individual as being ideal, what God wants us to see is that we aren’t alone.  Jesus needed Joseph and Mary’s help to stay safe and secure.  He needed his family to prosper, and he was ok with it.
 
One of the discoveries we learn about God is that God is relational in his very being.  The Trinity is a communion of persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—which means God is an on-going circle of connectedness and relationship.  He tells us he created us in his image and likeness.  So, we’re truly ourselves when we’re in relationship and connected.  It’s what drives us to want not only what’s best for ourselves, but what’s best for others. When we value that, life takes on greater meaning and purpose.
 
Our family is the very first place we discover relationship and connectedness.  It’s the very first place we discover what it means to be loved and to love.  To be loved, though, comes first.  And when we experience it, we can love others in return.  We need someone to love us.
 
Of course, God is the one who loves us first.  But our families are the places where we experience it.  And so, it only makes sense that our Church is the place where both experiences come together.   The Holy Family becomes a part of our family, too, because we all share in the life of Jesus Christ.  Our God of relationship expands our relationships and connectedness.
 
And that’s why we extend our experience to our cities, states, country and world. As a human family we should be connected, enough so that we’d want to do what’s best for the common good of all.  We’re not isolated and alone, but meant to see what we hold in common—God the one who loves us first. The dream of what’s possible is God’s dream for all of us. 
 
May you continue to find joy in the Christmas season, especially with those who loved you first,
 
          –Fr. Mike