On the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This weekend’s passage from the Holy Gospel describes how Joseph and Mary protected the Child Jesus from the sword of King Herod by escaping with him to Egypt. Spotlighting this action, the Church encourages us to look to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God. More emphasis is given in the first two readings on the obligation of children to their parents, but there is a profound lesson here for parents as well. "Like father like son" is an old saying, and one that we often find very true. If parents fail to do what is right and just in the sight of God (and their children) they can hardly complain when their children make choices that are not the best. The young learn more from example than from laws and regulations. If parents give their children the example of a life of goodness, integrity, and kindness, then odds are that the children will in turn grow up to be people of goodness, integrity, and kindness. We can broaden the message of this Gospel passage when we consider the fact that we are all “brothers and sisters in the Lord…all one family.” The homeless man or woman today in the streets, fighting the cold and the snow, is part of our family. The drug addict, living in fear and alone this day, is member of our family. The sick person, dying, alone, dirty and maybe even obnoxious, is a member of our family. The person sitting in the prison cell for whatever reason is also a child of God, and as such, according to St. John, is a member of our family. All these, as well as the cherished intimate members of our family, are “family,” and, as such, are worthy of safekeeping and reverence. Here at St. Michael’s we GET that message. You are all to be commended for the enormous concern you have for people in need. You give of yourselves and your goods to lift the heavy burdens off the backs of the poor. Be assured, you will be able to stand tall at the last judgment when Jesus asks, “did you feed the hungry, did you clothe the naked, did you visit the sick, etc.” It all comes down to this!!! Happy New Year! A few years ago, a study was undertaken to find the U.S. city with the lowest incidence of cancer and heart disease. The winner was Rosetto, Pennsylvania. Soon experts descended upon the city expecting to see a town populated by non-smokers, people who ate the correct food, took regular exercise and kept close track of their cholesterol. To their great surprise, however, the researchers discovered that none of the above was true. They found instead that the city’s good health was tied to the close family bonds that prevailed within the community. This suggests that there is much to be said for a close and loving family relationship. GOSPEL QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Are there any relationships in your family that you need to mend?