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WOF Radio > Sermons > Sermon Archive for 2012 > Sermon 625 : What Makes a Family Holy : Feast of the Holy Family

Current rating: 3.6 (19 ratings)

Sermon 625 : What Makes a Family Holy : Feast of the Holy Family

12/30/2012

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Today the Church calls our attention to not simply the importance of family life, but the necessity that our families be holy. Holiness is discovered in the realization that our lives are not about ourselves, but are meant as a gift for others. The families that embody this radical gift of self to each other imitate the Holy Family of Christ.

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Comments

anonymous

The Holy family has always been my dream, but God had other plans.

12/26/2012 5:22:19 PM

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Racheal

Wondering if motherhood is a vocation, (as in, if one is not married anymore) and the same for fatherhood. The Church recognizes the vocation of the priesthood, religious, and married, but not for parenthood.

12/27/2012 7:10:27 PM

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kathy

The "Call" you repeat twice at the end brought this sermon full circle. Joseph, as you said, was called through dreams. Mary through an angel. How does a humble believer hear that call? Your last words seem to come from the spiritual dimention itself...as if the Holy Spirit moved you to speak...God Speed!

12/28/2012 5:47:11 PM

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vito benigno

Racheal,Motherhood and Fatherhood are most certainly a vocation from the Almighty.The Father (me included) is accountable to God himself for what direction his children go,married or not.Also accountable for my wife,even to lay my life down for her.When The Fathers authority is usurped in the house there are consequences.This is one reason why in America there is so much divorce and fatherless children.This was not meant to be so.The Mother brings order into the house by her example and love not just for her family but especially the poor.Married or not ,these Vocations are from God.Peace be with you!MI IMMACULATA

12/29/2012 8:54:06 AM

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JerryS

Racheal - Vocation is "The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter." (CCC glossary). It's the call of God to each individual to know, love, and serve God the best they can in whatever situation they find themselves.

So, yes, of course parenthood is a vocation for parents. It's one of the most important vocations for those blessed with children. Each person has many vocations, both general (to discern the will of God, to holiness, to chastity, etc.) and specific (to be a missionary, or spouse, or parent, or teacher, or religious, or whatever the individual is called to).

The CCC has over 80 references to vocation, and only a few of them refer to marriage, holy orders, or consecrated religions life. These are not intrinsically higher or more important vocations. The highest and best vocations for each person are the ones that God is calling them to.

By virtue of your baptism, much of your general vocation is laid out. If you have a spouse or a child (or other vows), then part of your specific vocation is clear. But everyone, even spouses and parents and religious and priests, should be always asking God where He wants them to go next.

12/29/2012 9:49:48 AM

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joan

I think to be Christ centered is not easy in understanding or behavior. To what extent is it possible? There's something in the way and I can't get there; it's heavy. All of it so complicated by sin and then to bring the other into it, oh yes, it certainly would take HIS Love.

I think of the dreams I've had, literally and otherwise, and choosing Christ is not optional. I know this now. It's HIM and that's not going to change. It is often painful for me.

To mutually share a Christ centered life would indeed be Holiness. I'm not sure how much of it is even comprehensible for me. I think it'd be like a tiny slice of Heaven. Without doubt, a gift from God.

12/29/2012 10:48:24 AM

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a disciple

Hi Rachael, allow me please to put in my two cents opinion about, if motherhood or fatherhood is a vocation, regardless of the marital status of the person; first of all let's remember from where the “calls” come from, since vocation really means “a call or to be called” from the word “vocare”. I dare to say, that “mother/fatherhood” is the first vocation, before any other vocation, the Lord said, or gave the first call (instruction) to Adam and Eve, (Genesis 1:28) “be fruitful and multiply”. And the rest is history, so if the Church defends life so bravely, it is because it recognizes the sanctity and out- most important vocation of motherhood/fatherhood. Simply because it comes directly from God.

12/29/2012 8:07:29 PM

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Nancy

I was awaken this morning at 2am, couldn't sleep. A beautiful hymn was on my mind. It was sung at Mass on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Came down opened my computer to find Father Barron's Word on Fire site opened and this sermon waiting for me. My heart is so full, God is trying to tell me something. I am beginning to figure it out. God bless you, Fr. Barron.

12/30/2012 2:31:34 AM

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Cora Giron

God bless you Fr. Barron! Only in heaven will you realize how much you have helped us deepen our understanding of our Catholic faith!

12/31/2012 4:48:50 PM

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H. Gomes

Thanks again for another inspiring sermon, Fr. Barron! This time, however, to my surprise, there is something that you said that I just don't seem to get.

You mentioned that Mary was like all women of the time in that she anticipated marriage and children. It seems to me that Mary anticipated living as a virgin. I've understood from the likes of Archbishop Sheen and Father Pablo Straub that when Our Lady asks Angel Gabriel, “how shall this be for I do not know man?" she's meaning to live as a virgin even after the betrothal stage… she's essentially saying that she knows not man nor shall she ever know man (even St. Joseph). Just thought I'd put it out there. I'd really like to know your thoughts or clarifications on this.

God bless you.

12/31/2012 8:48:18 PM

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