December 28, 2025
Father of all families, Bless us with holy marriages and loving families dedicated to the Gospel. May we defend the sanctity and unity of family life and celebrate Your presence among us. Mary, Mother of God, and Joseph, your most chaste spouse, bring us your Son Jesus. Amen.
Commentary
Our Christmas season includes the beautiful Feast of the Holy Family. The Church takes time to celebrate the reality that Jesus Christ, like each of us, had a particular family. He, as St. Paul would say, “is like us in all things (except sin).”
As we read this passage from Sirach, we must remember that Jesus is THE model Son who honors His Father and mother.
We may want to remember how, in His humility, God placed himself at the feet of Mary and Joseph. God allowed himself to be cared for by humble parents. God chose to be fed, clothed, instructed, and even admonished (Luke 2:41) by his parents.
As we honor our God who humbled Himself by becoming one of us, let’s take time this Christmas season to honor our parents as well. Even if they have passed away or are estranged, let us honor them with our prayers.
Commentary
Our Second Reading from Colossians is an honest challenge to those of us who belong to God’s Holy Family. More than ever before, those of us who have been born again as sons and daughters of God must show the world what it means to be “compassionate, magnanimous, humble, gentle, and patient,” which includes “bearing with and forgiving one another.”
In our world of more and more social networks and influencers, it is very important that Christians show the way. Christians who tarnish the good name of other Christians or destroy the reputations of other men and women are not saints.
St. Paul’s letter makes it clear that holiness is a way of life. And holiness begins with a spirit of thanksgiving. “Be grateful,” Paul says.
Those who are constantly grateful do not have time to be hurtful.
Continued...
Commentary
If you stop at an airport, you’ll witness thousands of people coming and going. People are always on the go! Wouldn’t it be amazing if everyone just stopped at one place?
Most of us move freely and without any fear. Those of us who live in the United States have no problem crossing state lines and only a few inconveniences crossing international lines. For most of us, travel is for pleasure or business.
Unfortunately, for many, travel is neither business related nor enjoyable. Refugees make their way from one country to another, even one continent to another, to flee aggression.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, nearly 70 million people are fleeing for their lives just because of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had to flee and find refuge in Egypt. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, we must remember in our prayers the many displaced families fleeing.
Pope Francis invited us to share the journey by learning about the stories of people from different countries who have had to come here for work or for fear of losing their lives.
Contact someone who is not part of your cultural family and share a cup of coffee or a meal. Ask them about their trip and about the cultural gift they bring back from their homeland.
The group reads as follows, from a hymn by Vincent Uher:1997
Flight to Egypt Lonely travelers from the stable Out beneath the hard blue sky Journeying wandering, hoping, praying For the safety of their child While our mother Rachel’s weeping Fills the streets of Bethlehem.
Kyrie eleison.
Warned by angels, moved to save him Who was born our kind to save, Joseph leads his holy family Far from Herod and harm’s way. Mary shielding and consoling Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Kyrie eleison.
Fleeing from the land of promise They in Egypt find a home Strange the workings of God’s mercy — House of bondage now God’s throne. But for sons who all were murdered Sorrow breaks the House of Bread.
Kyrie eleison.
True the tale of flight and exile. Out of Egypt comes God’s Son. Angels tell of Herod’s dying. All is ended, all begun. Jesus will grow up in Nazareth And the world will all be stunned.
Kyrie eleison.
Response: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Used with Permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood © is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix. Free resources at dphx.org/christ-in-our-neighborhood.
