Holy Family

A large part of our Christian formation on virtues begins in the early years of our lives. This exposure happens in the family life. The growth is fastest when the parents practice the virtues themselves. Truly, the family is the seedbed of virtues. The process of acquiring and practicing it will also, on a large part, helps determine the outcome of one’s life. We only have to look at the lives of the saints through time. The Church examined their lives and have found that they exemplified in their practice of heroic virtues. Their journeys may have been arduous, but grace made them fervent in their desire to emulate the Lord. One cannot help but wonder what must it have been like for Jesus to grow up in a family, and His encounters in their neighborhood compared to ours. The list may be long… punctuality, hygiene, truth telling, prayerfulness, humility, courage, cheerfulness, patience, cleanliness, kindness, politeness, diligence, purity, obedience, generosity, magnanimity, and so on and so forth. What a daunting task for each one of us!

Nevertheless, it is consoling to know that in time, if we are serious, these road signs to Heaven, helped by grace, are attainable. Each virtue that is realized is worth celebrating because this adds up to our steps as pilgrims towards eternity. The more virtues, the greater our receptivity as a dwelling place for the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Finally, the Holy Family and the saints who successfully animated their lives with virtues, continue to influence and inspire Christians who sincerely desire to follow the way of perfection. Let us hasten to the Blessed Mother who will accompany us in nurturing the virtues necessary for us to reach our ultimate goal – to behold her Son, Jesus.