there are various challenges that could shake family life, from simple to complicated ones. Nevertheless, a Christian family must be fostered to
become an ideal family fitting to the will of Christ. This is what must be defended and fostered to its maximum by Catholic family because it
does not recognize divorce.
3.4 Fostering a True Christian Family
When people talk about true Christian family, their views usually
points directly towards the holy family of Nazareth, Joseph, Maria, and Jesus. The family is centred in Jesus, who blessed the Nazareth family.
In fostering the holy family of Nazareth, Maria and Joseph struggled immensely. Thus it began with Maria receiving good news from God’s
angel, informing her capacity to be the mother of God until the time Maria laid under the feet of crucified Jesus. The struggle of Maria and
Joseph in fostering the holy family was executed through many sacrifices all their life. Their life was dedicated to God, only for the sake
of Jesus. No other motives were intended by Maria and Joseph. People can feel the tremble of Maria’s heart upon receiving news from the
Angel. At first Maria was shocked, then curious to know its meaning, consequently the hand of God determined all matters and all her life.
Maria was prepared to be the mother of God. Then there was her meeting with Joseph, the sincere-heart, which provided a very deep
meaning. Maria, who had just turned 14 that year, was bestowed by God a man of age, Joseph who was more than 70 years old more than
meaning he may have been in his 80s. Maria visited Elizabeth through perilous journey, climbing mountains while in labour and leading Joseph
who was already old. It was an arduous journey, but she had taken it as a journey of solidarity towards Elizabeth, who in her elderly age, was
bearing John the Baptist in her womb. Maria’s life journey for the sake of Jesus was real when she had to give birth. There were no houses and
lodgings willing to welcome them. Only a manger in an empty barn was
ready to receive Jesus. It was really a struggle to foster a family in which Jesus was the centre of attention. It was not easy, demanding and
challenging. Soon after Jesus’ birth in an empty shed, they must immediately
leave and take shelter in Egypt. The life of Jesus the baby was under threat of murder by Herod. Maria and Joseph protected him until they
returned to the city of Nazareth. The holy family centred on Jesus really portrayed the ideal family. They relentlessly surrender their heart and
whole lives only to God. He is made to be their saviour. No other saviour is able to be their guarantor in life.
Maria and Joseph’s struggle is clearly obvious through their path in life when they had to find Jesus who was left in the House of God. Jesus
was not just left in the House of God, but he was held hostage, unable to go about freely at will. When Jesus was 12 years old, he followed a
Jewish Passover ceremony. Jesus was held hostage by leaders of his people for at least five days in the House of God. He was surrounded by
wise men of his people priests, head priests, elders, Torah experts, Pharisees, people of the book, holy priest. They were engaged in
sessions of questioning and debate, but Jesus was unbeatable during the conversation. They, who bore high ranks and titles, were silenced by the
young 12 years old Jesus. Maria came forward as the liberator. Maria dared to enter a place solely reserved for men, she dared shout
in front of wise men of her people and others. All of that was done for the sake of Jesus. Maria freed Jesus from the hostage of wise men of her
people. Maria and Joseph’s journey is genuine in building a strong solid faith
to surrender oneself more to the will of God alone. People can learn from their actions when they attended the wedding in Cana, Galilee.
Their solidarity to those who were impoverished was also executed with true heart. So was Maria’s journey in following the path of Jesus on his
way to his crucifixion, it is a challenge in life to dare face various
challenges in family life with patience, determination, and courage. Maybe the last word of Jesus on the cross, “it is finished”, opens a new
perspective for Catholics to afford a new pattern in facing the challenge of family life. Maria who was beneath Jesus’ cross heard those words.
Those words are actually full of beautiful messages. It is as Jesus had spoken: “I have done everything good, and all of you must continue this
throughout your life, especially in your family”. It is from this way of life and unending struggle that Catholics can
learn from the holy family of Nazareth. People must be patience, determined, and courageous in facing various challenges in life in order
to foster a true Christian family. The existing challenge is usually viewed as the cross of life and Catholics have the duty or bearing their
respective crosses. The cross carried is fitting and people may not drag or throw their crosses let alone let others carry it for them. Thus is
family life in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
3.5 Conclusion
Family in the teaching of the Catholic Church has always confronted challenges year by year. The vow of marriage which is the official
initiation of fostering a Catholic family is currently under a new challenge, namely loyalty. Loyalty to the vow of marriage challenges to
be contemplated and executed whole-heartedly so that a Catholic marriage with a character of unitas et indissolubilitas unity and
inseparability will remain to bring joy to the family and the entire human race.
The Catholic Church is very observant of family life. The official teaching of the Church regarding marriage remains to keep marriage
united and immaculate, taking example of the holy family of Nazareth, namely Jesus, Maria, and Joseph. The Catholic Church leads its
community to always be faithful to the vow of marriage, which symbolizes the unity of Jesus and the Church. May Catholic families be
able to always be faithful to this vow of marriage and enjoy happiness as aspired and taught officially by the Catholic Church.
