As Christians all over the world celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja; Rev. Fr. Anthony Isonguyo has presented the Holy Family as a model for every family life.
In an extract of his homily on Friday morning compiled by Joseph Abah, and cited by The World Satellite Magazine, Fr. Isonguyo began by admonishing the faithful who gathered at Mass to celebrate the important feast on the essence of Jesus going through a family for us to have an idea of ideal family life.
In addition, the Cleric, who is the Parish Priest of All Saints Catholic Church, Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja Archdiocese underscored the significance of Jesus coming through human flesh and experiencing what it means to live in a family.
“No family is without a challenge or problem, as none is perfect, not even the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph”, Fr. Isonguyo said.
Continuing, the Priest emphasized that despite the many challenges experienced by the Holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, they were able to manage their family amicably by God’s plan.
Therefore, he cautioned that nobody should expect perfection in a family but how such a family can surmount their imperfections, as that is what matters.
He further admonished children to take good care of their parents, stating that it comes with a lot of rewards from God. “Anyone who grieves his or her parents invokes the wrath of God. Parents should as well take care not to lead their children astray”, he explained.
Lamenting on how so many persons have abandoned their aged parents as of result of fake prophets accusing them to be witches or wizards, Fr. Isonguyo concluded by wishing all broken families restoration of peace, love, and true happiness that come from God.
Generally, when there is no Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is celebrated on the Sixth Day of the Octave of Christmas
Historically, the devotion to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem, together with the Baby Jesus. The shepherds went to adore the Child and, at the same time, they gave honor to His family.
Later, similarly, the three wise men came from the East to adore and give honor to the newborn King with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that would be safeguarded by His family.
- By Ken Gbados
