Sunday, December 29, 2024 - the Feast of the Holy Family

[00:00:07] Hello. It's December 29th and the feast of the Holy Family. [00:00:23] We begin today's reflection with a quote from Saint Pope John Paul ii. [00:00:32] The Redeemer of the world chose the family as the place for his birth and growth, thereby sanctifying this fundamental institution of every society. [00:00:45] Saint Pope John Paul ii. [00:00:49] For our reflection, we turn again to the theme of Mary. [00:00:54] This week we consider the practice of praying to Mary. [00:00:58] Some people have the impression that in praying to Mary, we are making her like God. [00:01:05] Actually, when we pray to Mary, we are asking her to pray for us. [00:01:19] Recall the familiar phrase we say in the Creed, we believe in the communion of saints. [00:01:29] What is the communion of saints? It's the realization that the ties that connect us to one another don't end at death. [00:01:38] We're all in this together, and it goes on past death. [00:01:54] In the communion of saints, we count on one another, support one another. [00:01:59] It can be quite comforting. [00:02:02] It's the family model, brothers and sisters helping one another. [00:02:08] Mary holds a special place in the family, but she is still part of the family. [00:02:16] We help one another this side of death, and the relationship continues after death. We pray to and for those who have died in God's grace, and they pray for us. [00:02:28] It's not really all that complicated. [00:02:36] Sometimes the truest words we can say are, I need some help. [00:02:43] We should say it to those on earth and to the faithful departed. And we should respond to those who say it to us. [00:02:55] So pray to Mary, the Mother of God. [00:02:59] She's our mother, too. [00:03:02] All of us need her help. [00:03:06] Ask her to pray for us.