Is the Holy Family holy?

Today, the institution of family is at risk. On one hand, people acknowledge the importance of the institution called marriage and family, to the stability of the society. For example, among the 30 articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), getting married and founding a family appear in Article 16, prior to property right (#17), religious freedom (#18) and freedom of speech (#19) etc. Article 16, paragraph 3 acknowledges its importance by stating that "The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State."

On the other hand, people allow this important institution to be threatened and corroded without giving it proper protection. It began with adultery which was once punishable by death in ancient times. Nowadays, extra-marital affairs are not even frowned on at all. Divorce, though tolerated by Moses, had been a social stigma. Nowadays in some countries, more than 50% of marriages end up in divorce. Moreover, economic affluence proves to be a curse to family. High living standards force both parents to work to their exhaustion, leaving very little time for spouses and family members to share some quality family time. When the claims of human rights are blown out of proportion, same-sex civil unions want to have their legal status upgraded to marriage so as to enjoy equal rights! A number of countries have legalized same-sex marriage, allowing two men to become spouses to found a family. Some countries even allow them to adopt children. In short, our families are at risk. Our children are at risk. Adults are mature enough to fend for themselves. They might be able to survive infidelity, divorce and even the disorderliness of gay marriage. What about the children?

In the gospel reading today, we read of the story of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt to evade the murderous attempt of Herod on the life of Infant Jesus. Though the Son of God had incarnated to become its member, the Holy Family did not fight against political persecutions with miracles.
Let's take a closer look at the so called Holy Family. It began with a single-parent family. When Mary gave the consent to become the mother of Jesus, she became an unwed mother. She had participated in a social problem. Depending on the number of unwed mothers at that time, the social costs of this social problem vary. Stoning them to death was the cheapest and thus the most favoured solution in ancient times. The Holy Family has an inglorious beginning.
Luckily, Joseph stood up to bear this social cost. Together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph would protect this Son of God at all costs. However, Joseph was only a carpenter, an artisan. He was not able to earn much money and power. Furthermore, he lived in Galilee, an outskirt of Judaism. Greek and Gentile influences were strong. The cultural milieu could not command any respect (John 1:46). Indeed, God had chosen rather unwisely according to human standard. At first, the Holy Family was not holy at all. Nor could their situation improve after receiving the gifts from the Magi. The Holy Family simply could not use those gifts without running into troubles. So, what made the Holy Family holy must be something else. It is total dedication to God. All three of them dedicated their lives totally to doing the will of God. No miracles nor power could make one holy. Rather, it is humble submission to God's will that makes one holy.

Let's face it. God took up flesh to become man not to tinker with humanity but to help us transcend humanity. God did not choose a royal family to provide power and respect for the birth and growth of Jesus. He chose an ordinary peasant girl and her betrothed husband at the margin of Jewish land. God did not vapourize Herod the Great immediately or even before Herod was able to give the order to massacre the Innocent Infants in order to protect the Holy Infant. No, God's intervention was minimum --- sending messages to Joseph in dreams.

To a certain extent, our present situation is similar though less severe than that confronting the Holy Family. We are still able to put up some resistance against the legislation of same-sex marriage in Hong Kong. We do not know who will win the day. We do not expect God to intervene either. If the worst comes to the worst, we will follow the example of the Holy Family to protect the Holy Infant by fleeing to the archenemy of HKSAR to wait for the demise of those who sought the child's life (Matthew 2:20).

My sweet Holy Infant, your presence is enough to prod us ahead to build up a society conducive to the healthy development of family life. Amen.