The group of three inspires strong families
By Nathan Rumohr
Special to The B.C. Catholic

Last year a reporter from one of Canada's national newspapers thought it would be a good idea to write a funny story about the "dysfunctional family" of Jesus. He made the assumption that an unwed pregnant mother engaged to an older man and on the run from the law was the "model dysfunctional family."

But when Salt and Light TV's Father Thomas M. Rosica, CSB, was contacted for a quote, he gave the reporter a lesson on why the Holy Family was not dysfunctional, but rather the model for the ideal Catholic family.

"That unit of Mary, Joseph, and their son Jesus was anything but dysfunctional," said Father Rosica. He was celebrating morning Mass at the Catholic Christian Outreach event Rise Up, Dec. 30.

"It was a family that was accustomed to suffering, misunderstanding, grief, heavenly visitors in dreams, abject poverty, rejection, and then a quiet, very hidden life, in Nazareth. Thirty years of which we know so little, yet when we look at the adult Jesus we know so much."

Father Rosica's homily served as an introduction to the Rise Up conference theme of evangelization and identity, which was covered in talks and workshops throughout the event's second day. He observed how the adult Jesus, Who cared for the sick, the poor, the widow, the stranger, and the orphan, had been brought up by his "dysfunctional" parents.

"Children are windows into the family," Father Rosica said. "Where did He get all this? He learned this from that little family in Nazareth."

"I am sure Jesus knew of maternal care from the devotion and dedication of His mother Mary."

Father Rosica didn't just credit Mary for Jesus's acts of holiness. Jesus was also strong, manly, and full of healthy self-esteem that can only be learned from a father.

"We see Jesus as a strong, masculine, male figure," Father Rosica said. "Jesus didn't confuse masculinity with being boisterous or crude, but He found a strength and a gentleness in the identity of who He was."

He pointed out that there are no words of St. Joseph recorded in the Bible. He said if there were two words for Joseph to say, however, they would be: "Emmanuel, God-with-us."

"We don't know when Joseph died, whether he was an old man or a young man, but we know Joseph was a just one, a holy one, and a model for Jesus."

"I can just see Joseph walking little Jesus to work with him. Jesus would see His father sweat, work hard, and bring home the money for his family to live."

Father Rosica also pointed out that Jesus's knowledge of the psalms and Old Testament Scripture was likely taught by his parents.

"A dysfunctional family, hardly!"

Father Rosica connected the Holy Family to Catholic families of today. He said the members of the first family of Christianity were misunderstood for their fidelity, they worked hard, and they understood human dignity.

"These are the stories of our families, families that are marked by suffering, brokenness, misunderstanding, divorce, loss: you name it. But if God is present at the heart of these families there is hope for each of us."

The Basilian priest, who gave the homily on the Feast of the Holy Family, spoke on the day's Gospel (Lk 2:22-40), which showed how the Holy Family fulfilled their obligation and presented Jesus in the temple. This was done while the family was under duress as refugees.

He then painted a vivid picture of the presentation itself. He said he could see the elderly priest Simeon saying to himself, "Oh no, another family bringing up a child in this Roman occupation!"

However Simeon recognized that this was the promised saviour, Jesus. It had been foretold to him that "he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah" (Lk 2:25:26).

"What more powerful image do we have than the transmission of life to a new generation: an old person holding a baby as a sign of hope, a pledge of the future? Today is a great day to give thanks for our family."