Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

December 30, 2019.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Readings: 1 Sam 1:20-22.24-28; Responsorial Psalm 84:2-3.5-6.9-10(R.5a); 

1 Jn 3:1-2.21-24 & Gospel Luke 2:41-52.

Theme: Overcoming the Challenges of the Family.

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. It gives us another opportunity to reflect on the family towards finding a panacea to the factors militating against this most ancient but noble institution. Based on our liturgical readings, we shall consider the background of the readings, the fourfold functions of the family as well as possible solutions to contemporary challenges facing marriage and the family. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Sam 1:20-22.24-28) recounts the story of Hannah and Elkanah. The aged parents had no child. Hannah was constantly in the presence of the Lord at Shiloh asking for the gift of a child. “…I will bring him and present him before the lord and he shall stay there forever” she had promised. When the Lord fulfilled his promise, this virtuous woman did not waste time in going to Shiloh to present her child to God in fulfilment of the vow she made to him.

In the second reading (1 Jn 3:1-2.21-24), Saint John informs that we are God’s children because the Father has lavished so much love upon us. He notes that when he is revealed, we shall see him as he truly is. It stresses that as God’s children, we ought to be guided by our conscience through keeping his commandments and overcoming every kind of fear even as we love one another bearing in mind that God’s Spirit lives in us.  

The gospel (Luke 2:41-52) tells the story of how Jesus got missing in Jerusalem during the feast of Passover at the age of 12. It recounts how his parents found him in the Temple sitting among the doctors, listening to them, asking them questions and how all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligent replies. His mother expressed worry but the child Jesus told them that he was about his father’s affairs. It notes that he followed them to Nazareth and lived under their authority. The gospel concludes that while Mary stored all those things in her heart, the child Jesus increased in wisdom, stature and favour before God and men. 

Fourfold Functions of the Family

In the light of our celebration, we will outline the fourfold functions of the family as given by Pope Saint John Paul II in Familiaris Consortio (1981, no.17) which include:

1. Forming a Community of Persons:  Every ideal family is formed by a community of persons namely father, mother and children.

2. Serving Life: Since married couples are open to accepting children lovingly from God, Christian marriage serves life. Parents also serve life because they are co-creators.

3. Participation in the Development of Society: The family has an indispensable role to play in the society in that parents work to contribute to the growth of society and give their children civic and religious education thus preparing them to be responsible members of the society.

4. Sharing in the Life and Mission of the Church: By bringing their children for baptism and dedication, parents share in the life and mission of the Church by walking the talk and preparing their children to do same. 

Pastoral Application

On the feast of Holy Family, I would like us to provide panacea to what the Fathers of the Church described as socio-cultural crisis faced by the family which are painfully the basic cell of society (Synod of Bishops, 2015, nos. 5, 6 & 7) not only in the African context but globally which I highlighted in my book “Couples Clinic.”. These are: 

1. Overcoming the Danger of Troubling Individualism: In a world where there is a growing danger of troubling individualism which deforms family bonds and ends up making each component of the family as an isolated unit, leading, in some cases, to the idea that a person is formed according to his own desires, which are considered absolute, couples are invited to over the troubling danger of individualism.

2. Checkmating the Crisis of Faith: In the face of crisis of faith among a great number of Catholics which often underlies crisis in marriage and the family leading to mass exodus Catholics out of the Church, family members are urged to checkmate the anomaly.

3. Rising above the Challenge of Loneliness: The Synod Fathers observed that many people are suffering from loneliness which arises from the absence of God in their lives leading to the fragility of relationships and so, couples are called to rise above the challenge of loneliness.

4. Defeating Poverty and Unemployment: In the face of increasing instances of poverty and unemployment in the workplace as well as the real nightmare of overwhelming financial difficulties which not only discourage the young from marrying but creates a general feeling of powerlessness in the face of socio-cultural realities that oftentimes end in crushing families, families are urged to defeat poverty and unemployment. 

5. Attention by Government & Institutions: Because the lack of attention by government and institutions has made most families to feel abandoned as they find it difficult to raise children or take care of aged people who are now seen as a burden thus affecting people’s emotional balance leading to violence, government and relevant institutions are urged to create employment meet the needs of society.

6. Discouraging Polygamy: Amidst the challenge of polygamy and “arranged marriages” such as socio-cultural and religious realities which constitute a major source of conflicts among couples and families in our society, Christian couples are encouraged to shun divorce.

7. Dealing with Difficulties of Mixed & Interreligious Marriages: Since various mixed and interreligious marriages have inherent difficulties in terms of jurisprudence, baptism, upbringing of children and mutual respect with regards to differences in faith in countries where Catholics are not many giving rise to relativism, indifference or quarrels between couples, couples are called to follow laid down ecclesiastical rules.  

8. Overcoming Challenges of Cohabitation & Civil Legislation: About other perceived situations of conflict namely, the practice of cohabitation before marriage or simply cohabitating with no intention of a legally binding relationship and that of civil legislation which compromises marriage and the family as well as the danger of secularization which makes little or no reference to God, thus diminishing the faith, the faithful are urged to overcome cohabitation and civil legislation.

9. Addressing Issues of “Illegitimate” Children: About the growing culture of giving birth to children outside wedlock, occasioned by single parenthood which creates a situation where many of these kids grow up with just one of their parents in a blended or reconstituted family, families are encouraged to address issues associated with “Illegitimate” children and help these children live normal lives.

10. Checkmating the Increasing Cases of Divorce: In wake of increasing cases of divorce mostly because of economic reasons describing it as a cankerworm which makes children the real victims of family break-ups and the source of contention between parents, Christian parents are discouraged from conceiving divorce.

11. Wiping Out Discrimination/Violence against Women & Children: In many places today, women and children (often female) are a source of discrimination, violence and exploitation which creates a situation where the gift of motherhood is penalized rather than esteemed; they also noted that within families, there is widespread practice of genital mutilation in some cultures as well as sexual exploitation of children in present-day society which challenges Christians everywhere to make concerted efforts at wiping out discrimination as well as every kind of violence against women and children.

12. Decreasing Cases of Terrorism/Organised Crime: The increasing violence due to war, terrorism or the presence of organized crime which includes our home-grown Boko Haram leading to the creation of over 3,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs), in North-Eastern Nigeria, motivates parents and Christian families to work assiduously towards decreasing the activities of terrorists groups which deteriorate family values.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. The Feast of Holy Family gives us another opportunity to reflect on the family towards finding a panacea to the factors militating against it.

2. Saint John informs that we are God’s children because the Father has lavished so much love upon us.

3. The gospel tells the story of how Jesus got missing in Jerusalem during the feast of Passover at the age of 12.

4. Every ideal family is formed by a community of persons namely father, mother and children.

5. By bringing their children for baptism and dedication, parents share in the life and mission of the Church. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, we pray today for widows, widowers, orphans, divorcees and those who are not enjoying their marriage. In the face of the dangers militating against marriage and the family, we are challenged to overcome these challenges in the interest of the stability of these institutions. May God bless and protect us all through Christ our Lord. Happy Sunday!