Sitting there with hubby holding 7 month old Birdie Barbara, and John and Bobbi sitting close by and Ruth and Paul filling the front row with their family... Fr Denny's homily on the Holy Family was out of this world amazing. I just listened to it again on our Church site, and how I wish I could share it here for all to hear! So excellent!
From Pope Paul VI
From an address by Saint Paul VI, pope
(Nazareth, January 5, 1964)
Nazareth, a model
Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God’s Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him.
Here we can learn to realize who Christ really is. And here we can sense and take account of the conditions and circumstances that surrounded and affected his life on earth: the places, the tenor of the times, the culture, the language, religious customs, in brief, everything which Jesus used to make himself known to the world. Here everything speaks to us, everything has meaning. Here we can learn the importance of spiritual discipline for all who wish to follow Christ and to live by the teachings of his Gospel.
How I would like to return to my childhood and attend the simple yet profound school that is Nazareth! How wonderful to be close to Mary, learning again the lesson of the true meaning of life, learning again God’s truths. But here we are only on pilgrimage. Time presses and I must set aside my desire to stay and carry on my education in the Gospel, for that education is never finished. But I cannot leave without recalling, briefly and in passing; some thoughts I take with me from Nazareth.
First, we learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value. We need this wonderful state of mind, beset as we are by the cacophony of strident protests and conflicting claims so characteristic of these turbulent times. The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers. Nazareth can teach us the value of study and preparation, of meditation, of a well-ordered personal spiritual life, and of silent prayer that is known only to God.
Second, we learn about family life. May Nazareth serve as a model of what the family should be. May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplify its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings, in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children—and for this there is no substitute.
Finally, in Nazareth, the home of a craftsman’s son, we learn about work and the discipline it entails. I would especially like to recognize its value—demanding yet redeeming—and to give it proper respect. I would remind everyone that work has its own dignity. On the other hand, it is not an end in itself. Its value and free character, however, derive not only from its place in the economic system, as they say, but rather from the purpose it serves.
In closing, may I express my deep regard for people everywhere who work for a living. To them I would point out their great model, Christ their brother, our Lord and God, who is their prophet in every cause that promotes their well-being.
Live - Holy Redeemer Catholic Church - Marshall, MN (holy-redeemer.com) If you have a few minutes take the time to listen to Fr Denny share about " good Christian father, mother and child" ! I just listened to it for the second time, and took notes so I will attempt to share with you his wise and stirring words... As son-in-law, Paul, said; "He hit it out of the park when he started with what we should be looking for in a spouse." Yes, how my heart soared when I saw 6 of my grandchildren sitting in the front row including my 2 oldest, 16 year old Simon and 14 year old Mary... "When looking for spouse you are hopefully mature enough to look beyond infatuation and outward appearance to find good Christian values."
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html The story of Pat and I - on our first date we shared what we valued and were looking for in a spouse, our Catholic Faith #1, being open to a large family #2, and love of the farm/nature #3. The same so the dating, engagement and Sacrament of marriage arrived in a year total!!!
My notes on a good Christian father, modeled by from Fr Denny's homily today! - a man of prayer. He saw things the way God saw them/wisdom. He stood up to the pressures of the world, and protected his family from bad influences... so prevalent today with all the evil just a mouse click away!
A genuine Christian woman - we look to Mary, who was a woman of prayer and integrity. She knew that she was created in the image and likeness of the image of God, and said "yes" to all He asked of her. A holy woman sacrificed and nurtures her family. She makes God present in her home- she feeds them food both to eat and spiritual food.
Reading 1 SIR 3:2-6, 12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
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