HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH YEAR A (28TH DECEMBER, 2025) скачать в хорошем качестве

HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH YEAR A (28TH DECEMBER, 2025)

This is your usual programme: 'GOD IS WITH YOU' by your humble servant, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bartholomew Koroma, CSSp. A member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, commonly known as Spiritans. The first reading is from the Book of Sirach 3:2-6 & 12-14. This passage emphasizes the sacred duty of honouring one’s parents, because God grants them authority over their children, and that honouring them brings blessings, forgiveness of sins, and a life heard by God in prayer. Respect for parents is presented not merely as a social custom but as an act pleasing to God, with spiritual rewards. The Second Reading is from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3:12-21. In this passage, Saint Paul highlights the core responsibility in marriage and family life: Love and forgiveness. Because when we love, we show compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forgiving one another. Even Jesus, in summarizing the Ten Commandments into two, categorically stated that: “We should love God with all our hearts, minds, and strengths. And the second is to love our neighbours as ourselves.” Furthermore, Saint Paul also admonished the people of Colossae to live according to the Word of God (The Gospel), and to preach it to the end of the world without fear or discrimination. He highlights the practical responsibilities of family members. To the wives, Paul instructs them to submit themselves to their husbands. To the husbands, Saint Paul exhorts them to love and to be gentle to their wives. And finally, to the children, Paul commanded them to obey their parents. Our Gospel today is coming from Matthew 2:13-15 & 19-23. This Gospel narrates the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph seeking refuge in Africa, Egypt, as King Herod wanted to kill the baby, Jesus, because of his selfish interest, wanted to be King for life. When he heard that a Saviour and King had been born from the Wisemen from the East, he was disturbed by the news and was looking for ways and means to eliminate Jesus. However, God sent a message through the angel to Joseph in a dream, warning him to take Jesus and His mother, Mary, to Egypt, until the death of King Herod. After the death of Herod, Joseph relocated the family to Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken by the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”