Reflection for December 28, 2025

​Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (A)

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 | Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 | Colossians 3:12-21 | Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23

​The greatest Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family—together, close, and wrapped in love. That’s why it makes so much sense that we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph during the Christmas season. It reminds us that the family is where humility, selflessness, and a life of prayer are first learned and lived out every day.

​One evening, a father came home tired after a long day of work and found his son struggling with homework at the kitchen table. The father knew the answers right away, but instead of taking over, he sat down quietly and listened. When the child made mistakes, the father gently asked questions and admitted, “I don’t always get things right either. Let’s figure this out together.” Seeing this, the mother smiled and joined them, putting aside her chores to help. That night, the family learned that humility isn’t about who knows more or works harder—it’s about choosing patience, listening, and helping one another without pride.

Sirach reminds us that God blesses families where respect, care, and humility dwell. A holy family is one where love prevails over authority. Authority in the home is never about control or rank. Just because someone earns more, manages the household, or leads does not mean they rule. And just because children are precious does not mean every desire is granted. Love sets the tone, not power. Humility keeps the family whole. Pride is what turned angels into demons and caused the fall of the first parents, and it is still what breaks families today. Pride stops us from saying “thank you,” from apologizing, from accepting forgiveness, and from freely saying “I love you.” In a holy family, humility allows love to speak louder than authority, healing wounds and strengthening bonds.

Once upon a time, there were two sisters, Althea and Maridel, who shared a field and a mill. Every evening, they split the grain they had worked hard to grind during the day. Althea lived alone, while Maridel had a husband and a big family to care for.
One night, Althea thought, “This doesn’t seem right. I only have myself to look after, but Maridel has children to feed.” So each night, without a word, she quietly carried some of her grain to her sister’s granary, making sure Maridel would never run out.
At the same time, Maridel had her own worries. “This isn’t fair either,” she thought. “I have children who will care for me someday, but Althea has no one. What will happen to her when she grows old?” And so, every night, she secretly brought some of her grain to Althea’s granary. Morning after morning, both sisters were confused to see their grain supplies mysteriously untouched. Until one night, they met each other halfway between their homes—each carrying a sack of grain. When they realized what had been happening all along, they laughed, embraced, and felt their love for each other grow even deeper.

St. Paul reminds us that a holy family is clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and love. Family life is possible only through selflessness—when each member learns to put others first. Ang pamilya ay paaralan ng pagpapakatao at pakikipagkapwa-tao. It is in the family where values are formed, where we first learn respect, care, and service. Fathers work tirelessly, mothers sacrifice daily, and children obey and do their tasks—not for themselves alone, but for the good of the family. In doing so, they learn that love means responsibility and service. Charity truly begins at home, but if it is real, it does not stay there. The values learned within the family must overflow into the world. A holy family forms people who see every person—not only relatives—as brothers and sisters, and every living creature as part of God’s creation deserving respect. We become truly human when we treat the world not as something to use or dominate, but as our common home to protect and care for. If our concern ends with ourselves and our blood relations, then we remain incomplete in pagpapakatao at pakikipagkapwa-tao. Only when family values lead us to serve the poor, the powerless, the vulnerable, and the whole of creation do we fully live out the love St. Paul speaks of.

The Magbanuas were invited to a super yummy feast at the Lopez house. Mrs. Lopez was famous for cooking the best food ever—people said it could make you do a happy dance! Everyone sat down as the food arrived. It smelled so good that Gabriel, the youngest Magbanua, grabbed his plate and started gobbling up his food. “Gabriel! Stop! We need to say a prayer first,” his dad said, looking a little embarrassed. “I don’t have to,” Gabriel said, munching away. “Yes, you do!” his mom said, her voice strong like a superhero. “We always pray before eating!” Gabriel thought for a second and said, “But this isn’t our house… it’s Mrs. Lopez’s house. And she knows how to cook!” Everyone laughed, and even Gabriel had to pause his fork to smile.

In today’s Gospel, the Holy Family survives danger not by strength or strategy, but by constant communication with God. Joseph listens. God speaks. Joseph obeys—whether it means fleeing to Egypt in the dead of night or returning home when the danger has passed. Their journey is guided by prayerful attentiveness. The Holy Family is holy precisely because they remain open to God’s voice. This reminds us that prayer is the family’s hotline to God. A family can never be holy without prayer. As Patrick Peyton famously said, “The family that prays together, stays together.” Prayer keeps the family rooted, especially when life is uncertain, frightening, or confusing—just as it was for Mary, Joseph, and the Child Jesus. Yet today, praying as a family has become harder than ever. Busy schedules, distractions, and fatigue often reduce prayer to a quick grace before and after meals. While this is good, it is not enough. A holy family is not just one that prays occasionally, but one that constantly communicates with God—listening, trusting, and responding. Like the Holy Family, may our homes become places where God’s voice is heard, prayer is lived daily, and faith guides every step, even in the dark.

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