The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Family Spirit is an essential characteristic of Marist Spirituality and it springs from the model of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a simple, hard-working and religious family, living in the milieu of a poor economy and according to the Law of Moses. Yet, we see that it is not just the immediate family that we as Marists focus on, but the world family.  When Jesus strays from Mary and Joseph and is found three days later in the temple, his reply indicates the larger mission for which he came from his Father to become one of us.  "Why were you looking for me?  Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"  (Lk 2: 49).  His family was more that just Mary and Joseph, but all of us. 
While we relish the time to be with our own families, especially at Christmas, when even when there is not a religious dimension for some to Christmas and the treasure of family becomes sacred, there is a larger picture that must be looked at.  Are our families centered solely centered on themselves, or are families the schools where the faith is learned and put into practice?  Are we teaching our children to be concerned for those who have less, to share their time, their talents, and even their "things" with them?  Do we shy them away from greed and inculcate in them the truth that it is much better to give than to receive?  That justice means compassion and faireness in dealing with others? That is the Marist Family Spirit we herald as one of our hallmarks.  May the Holy Family help us to be true to it.
Bro. Rene