Unpacking The Mass with Keith Nester

Episode Theme: Feast of the Holy Family – Year A
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the Mass readings for the Feast of the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), inviting listeners to reflect on how these scriptural teachings can inspire and challenge us in our own imperfect family lives. Keith emphasizes that while the Holy Family can seem unattainably perfect, the purpose is not to relate—but to be inspired and to apply these lessons to our daily family dynamics. The episode covers the readings from Sirach, Colossians, and the Gospel of Matthew, unpacking how each text reveals God's divine plan for the family and offering practical advice for living out holiness in family relationships.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recognizing the Imperfect Reality of Family (00:01-03:40)

• Keith opens with an acknowledgment that family gatherings during the holidays can bring both joy and "family drama."
• The episode encourages listeners not to be intimidated by the Holy Family, but to see them as an inspiration.
  • "We can look at the Holy Family sometimes and think, how can I relate to that? Well, the point isn't today to relate to it. The point is to be inspired by it." (02:00, Keith)

2. First Reading – Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14: The Divine Plan for Family (03:41-09:45)

• The text emphasizes honoring parents and caring for them, especially as they age.
  • "Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure." (from reading, 05:14)
• Keith highlights the practicality and empathy in the passage, noting its acknowledgement of difficult family situations:
  • "If your father's losing his mind, then just be patient with him. I appreciate that." (06:45, Keith)
• The family structure is God's idea, not a human projection, and cannot be redefined based on personal experience or preference.
  • "Family is God's idea... we don't get to take our personal preferences and our issues and overlay them on top of God to redefine him... that's not how it works." (10:30, Keith)
• Key takeaway: How we act as parents—and children—has spiritual and even generational significance.

3. Second Reading – Colossians 3:12–21: The Practical Application of Holiness (09:46-23:55)

• St. Paul outlines virtues for family life: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love.
  • "Holiness also comes down to how you react and treat each other, your family dynamic." (14:55, Keith)
• Keith stresses that these qualities are the core of holiness, not just avoiding sin or private prayer.
• Practical challenges of family life are universal:
  • "Anybody got any complaints in your family...? If the answer is no, maybe you ought to be the new holy family." (17:55, Keith)
• The importance of being most patient and compassionate with those closest to us, not saving our best behavior for outsiders.
  • "Husbands, when you come home and you catch a glimpse of your wife, you should be like, wow, you're amazing." (20:15, Keith)
• Personal anecdote: Keith’s wife reminded him to treat her with the patience he shows to church members.
  • "Pretend I'm somebody else... one of the people at church that you have to be nice to." (21:30, Keith)
• Central advice: Treat family members with exceptional kindness, compassion, and understanding—because they are the people God chose for you.

4. Gospel Reading – Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23: The Holy Family’s Flight to Egypt (23:56-33:35)

• Keith explores why God asked Joseph to flee rather than stand and fight Herod, emphasizing obedience and divine guidance.
  • "Is that a sign of cowardice? No, my friends, it's a sign of obedience. Because the principal role of the father and the husband is to protect." (25:50, Keith)
• The protection of the family sometimes means standing strong; other times, retreating wisely—following God’s lead rather than ego or emotion.
• Key spiritual parallel: The world is often opposed to God’s plan and to our families, and we must be vigilant in protecting them spiritually and morally.
  • "Godly leaders must be first led by God. So if you're leading your family, you better be listening for the voice of God." (31:00, Keith)
• Joseph as a model of attentive, sacrificial leadership—prioritizing God’s guidance over personal desires.

5. The Universal Family: Expanding the Vision (33:36-37:50)

• Keith stresses that all who follow Jesus are grafted into the Holy Family.
  • "You're part of the Holy Family. Did you know that? What? Yeah, think about it." (34:30, Keith)
• Jesus broadens the definition of family to those who do the will of God, making us all brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers within the Church.
• The Church as the family of God; our family life should reflect this bigger reality.

6. Instilling Family Identity and Living the Call (37:51-End)

• Keith shares a parenting tip: Teach children what it means to belong by connecting good behavior to family identity.
  • “That’s not how we act in this family. Because it goes so far to let them understand that they belong to something and what they belong to is bigger than themselves.” (38:25, Keith)
• The Feast of the Holy Family is an invitation to not only admire, but join in, step up, and embody these virtues in our own families.
  • Final encouragement: Treat your immediate family with "incredible kindness, compassion, forgiveness, love, above all."
  • “You’ll realize that it’s pretty special to be part of that family, too.” (39:30, Keith)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We can look at the Holy Family sometimes and think, how can I relate to that? Well, the point isn't today to relate to it. The point is to be inspired by it." (02:00, Keith)
• "Family is God's idea... we don't get to take our personal preferences and our issues and overlay them on top of God to redefine him." (10:30, Keith)
• "Holiness also comes down to how you react and treat each other, your family dynamic." (14:55, Keith)
• "Husbands, when you come home and you catch a glimpse of your wife, you should be like, wow, you're amazing." (20:15, Keith)
• "Godly leaders must be first led by God. So if you're leading your family, you better be listening for the voice of God." (31:00, Keith)
• "You're part of the Holy Family. Did you know that? What? Yeah, think about it." (34:30, Keith)
• "That’s not how we act in this family. Because it goes so far to let them understand that they belong to something and what they belong to is bigger than themselves." (38:25, Keith)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01-03:40 – Introduction, theme, and prayer
• 03:41-09:45 – Sirach: Honoring father, mother, and God’s plan for family
• 09:46-23:55 – Colossians: Living family virtues, practical family challenges
• 23:56-33:35 – Matthew: The Gospel, obedience, and protecting the family
• 33:36-37:50 – The expanded family: inclusion in God’s household
• 37:51-End – Family identity, practical encouragement, conclusion

Conclusion

Keith Nester encourages listeners to take the example of the Holy Family as both a challenge and a comfort—reminding us that through Christ, we are members of God’s own family. Our response should be to live out kindness, forgiveness, and love in our daily family life, rooted in God’s grace, so that our families become a true reflection of the Holy Family and the wider Church.