On this feast of the Holy Family, we want to offer all families blessings. "Family" may have a lot of different connotations these days. In the United States, the "father, mother, child" family is less common now, and large Catholic families are not as common as they once were. The concept of family is more fluid with many forms of blended families due to second marriages, multi-generational households, and other living arrangements. In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 4 in 10 babies are born to single mothers. Other children are being raised by grandparents or foster parents.

"Where does God dwell?" is a question on the minds of many as we continue to adjust to the pandemic. David wanted to build an ornate swelling for the Ark of the Covenant, but God said, "No, that's not what I had in mind!" The reading from Romans teaches us that God is present in the Word, and in Luke's Gospel passage today, Jesus is residing in the womb of Mary. We know that Jesus is present in the assembly gathered, the Koininia, as well as within the Eucharistic species. But no matter how one experiences the presence of Jesus, these days are challenging. In many places, only limited numbers continue to be allowed in church, while others are only able to worship via live-stream. Non of the past answers to where God dwells really fit. We need to try and answer this with new eyes and ears and heart.

The readings this week bear a certain similarity to those of last week - we hear a prophecy from Isaiah that is reiterated by John the Baptist in Mark's Gospel - but today the focus is different. Last week John told us to repent. Today he is the light leading us to God. Today is know as "Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday," as the reading from First Thessalonians commands us to "Rejoice in the Lord always." We are to rejoice. Right now. Combined with last Sunday, this seems like a mixed message. "Which is it? Repenting or rejoicing?" But John is telling us that one leads to the other. As we prepare for the coming of our Savior we must first repent and then rejoice.

In 2020, we heard plenty of voices speaking out and sharing their opinions, but many of those words were not comforting or hope-filled. Sometimes, it was hard to know which expert or "instant expert" to listen to, and it is still difficult to hope as we struggle to regain our balance as a nation and as a Church. The Word of God offers us peace this day.