Women don’t appear often in the psalms. One really has to scour the texts for mention of women, and then it’s mostly those in need: barren women, a woman in labor, widows and orphans. Two notable exceptions are Psalm 45 (the royal wedding), and today’s Psalm 128, whose antiphon is “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” Note: This is not a day to blandly accept music with gender-exclusive language in the texts.

The translation we use says, “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home ... ” But how does that relate to today’s families, when Mom’s job may be as necessary as Dad’s—more so, if he loses his job in tough economic times? And “children like olive plants”? Hmmm. Olive plants don’t knock over the lamps running through the house; olive plants don’t throw tantrums.

There’s an old story about the mother in the confessional who was expressing her exasperation with her large family. The priest said, “Now, now, think of the Holy Family.” The mother sniffed, “Huh! Them and their one!”

The definition of family is changing daily and becoming more inclusive. Mother/father/children is one kind of family. So are childless families, and single-parent families, and families whose children are adopted, formally or informally. The family is the main source of mutual support in the challenges of daily life. Some are happy; some are dysfunctional. Some have plenty; some are just barely getting by. Some are blithe; others bear heavy, often unseen burdens.

But all families are holy.