JMJ

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I’m writing to y’all, therefore, with three practical ways that I hope you and your family household will be blessed in the new year. 

The first way is by remembering and calling upon the Holy Family in prayer. You might have noticed that sometimes people will write the letters “JMJ” at the beginning of a letter or other written work (as in the case of this bulletin reflection). This is a way of piously invoking Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to guide our work, and dedicating it to their honor. Fulton Sheen used to write JMJ, for instance, at the top of the blackboard on his TV show “Life is Worth Living.” We, too, might adopt this practice to invite the Holy Family more and more into our life. 

The second way is through the blessing of the home at Epiphany. Last year we started distributing kits at Mass for the Epiphany home blessing. This doesn’t need to be done by a priest or deacon, but can be led instead by the head of the household, together with the rest of the family. The kit contains blessed chalk and a set of instructions, and includes adding the inscription “20 + C + M + B + 25” above the main door of the house. (The numbers in the inscription signify the year 2025, and the letters signify both the three Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, as well as the phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” which means “May Christ bless this house.”) Be sure to pick one of these up next weekend at Mass, and plan to gather as a family for the blessing of your home. 

Finally, you will find calendars available at the exits this weekend, and we’ll keep some available in the rear of the church and in the parish office for the next few weeks in case you miss it, while supplies last. It is my prayer that by being reminded of our Lord and the Saints when planning your days and weeks, you might receive abundant blessings throughout the year.