We continue the joyful Celebration of the Christmas Season with today’s feast of the Holy Family. While it is easy to idealize Jesus, Mary and Joseph for their holiness and fidelity to God (which they deserve), it is also important to remember their human condition. We know they were poor. From today’s gospel of the Presentation in the Temple: a pair of turtledoves or pigeons was the offering for parents who couldn’t afford a lamb. They had to escape persecution, they were refugees in Egypt, they had to work, they suffered hardship. Each of us is able to draw inspiration from they Holy Family because their experiences parallel ours. May we always seek their intercession to help us on our journey to join them in heaven.