Friends, welcome to Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an

apostolate dedicated to the mission of evangelization using media both old and

new to share the faith on every continent and to facilitate an encounter with

Christ and His Church. The efforts of Word on Fire engage the culture and bring

the transformative power of God's Word where it is most needed. Today we invite

you to join Bishop Robert Barron as he preaches the gospel and shares the

warmth and light of Christ with each one of us.

Peace be with you. Friends, Holy Family Sunday gives us the opportunity to

reflect on what makes a family holy. Now I'm giving you lots of advice about how

to make your family's psychologically healthier, more functional, happier,

etc. and there's nothing in the world wrong with any of that advice. In fact, our

first reading for today from the book of Sirach gives a fair amount of it. Listen,

he obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. Take care of your father when

he's old, even if his mind fail, be considerate of him, etc. There are a number of

these nice practical bits of psychological advice that are very wise, very

helpful. Our second reading too from Paul to the Colossians, trades in similar

rhetoric. Listen, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness

and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. Again, good

advice, especially I would say that last bit of advice, within a family context,

to bear with one another, to forgive one another. It's so important because we

know all of our flaws and failings and if we hold grudges, we can't forgive our

families fall apart. Okay, so far so good, so far so clear, but listen, any

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