The Most Holy Trinity

       As part of my ‘Art Show’ during the season of Lent, reflection on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, it was suggested by a parishioner that we could use some more area of the Holy Family. In particular, the parishioner suggested an image of the Nativity in Bethlehem and an image of the Dormition of St Joseph – i.e., the dying of Joseph. It was correctly pointed out that this was the first and last time the Holy Family were together (in this life) as the Holy Family – at Jesus’ birth and Joseph’s passing. The Gospels of Matthew & Luke record accounts of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the many associated events & people: no room in the inn, stable & manger, shepherds & sheep, ox & ass, star & magi, Mary & Joseph gathered around in awe & wonder at this newborn King of the Jews, the coming of the Light of the World into the darkness of our sin & death. On the other hand, Scriptures are silent on St Joseph’s passing. Like St Joseph himself, of whom the Scriptures record not a single spoken word, there is no specific account of when or why St Joseph passed away. Tradition claims St Joseph as the Patron Saint of a Happy Death, since it also holds that St Joseph died surrounded in love & tenderness of Jesus & Mary. What better accompaniment?! For the passing of one who was Righteous like St Joseph, who was loved & cared for like St Joseph, who himself loved & cared for the Savior of the World and the Savior’s own Blessed Virgin Mother, it seems only fitting that Jesus and Mary would be there to accompany him from this side as he prepared to die – awaiting the opening of heaven’s gates by his adoptive Son’s own future, saving death upon the Cross. Mary’s presence at St Joseph’s side is one of the reasons that in the Hail Mary, we pray that Mary may pray for us now and at the hour of our death. She is a great advocate, companion, helpmate, and intercessor for each of us as Mother of the Holy Family given to us by Her Son Jesus from the Cross.

     These two profound moments bookend the mostly unrecorded & undocumented hidden years of the Holy Family. They also mirror similar moments in our own families. The birth of a child and the death of a parent, the alpha & omega of family life. They remind us of those many years in-between when we live out our family lives. The hope being that we too are ever growing closer to and more like the Holy Family themselves. Sometimes, of course, a child’s passing precedes that of one or both of the parents, and some married couples never have a child. Yet, neither makes a family life unholy. Still, keeping these two important moments before us in the context of the greater liturgical year can greatly remind us of our need to be attentive to life – holy lives lived in family communion. At birth, there is often much excitement and joy. At death, much sadness & grief. Both can be (to some extent) anticipated, and both are needed & coming. Yet, in the busyness of our daily life, we can forget where we are, when we are, that to which we are headed. Maybe the images can serve as a small reminder of your entry into your own particular family – and via rebirth in Baptism the Holy Family of God – while simultaneously reminding us that we will each face earthly death when we hope to be surrounded not only by our own loved ones and friends, but by all the Holy Ones – saints & angels – Jesus, Mary & Joseph. May this encourage us to live out our own Holy Family life.

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, Mirroring the Love of the Holy Trinity, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries