51 So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart.
52 And Yeshua grew both in wisdom and in stature, gaining favor both with other people and with God.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Feast)He went down with them … and was obedient to them.(Luke 2:51)
Today is not a national celebration like France’s Bastille Day. It’s not a military holiday like Anzac Day in New Zealand and Australia. It’s not a labor holiday like the ones celebrated in the United States, Canada, or Egypt. But it ought to be. Today is the feast of the Holy Family.
We like to think of the Holy Family as “perfect,” full of joy and problem free, but that’s not really the case. Theirs is the story of a woman suspected of adultery, a man anxiously planning a divorce, and a family forced to emigrate to a foreign land. It’s the story of a couple learning how to cope with their son’s unconventional behavior—something we read about in today’s Gospel. It’s also the sad story of a woman who first loses her husband and then watches as her only child is unjustly executed by the state.
Yes, this family was holy, but it was also very human—dealing with human issues on a daily basis, just like us. That means they know our family’s ups and downs as well.
St. Ignatius of Loyola used to pray before a painting of the Holy Family. He liked to imagine himself joining them for dinner or working with Joseph and Jesus in the carpentry shop, asking the Holy Spirit to give him new insights as he did. Isn’t this something each of us can do—especially as we think about their very human life together?
Here are some things to think about as you gaze at the Holy Family: first, your family is not ordinary in God’s eyes. Every family is special to him. Every family receives his favor. Second, your family can make a difference in this world. Dream big, then try to do good for God. Third, it really is possible for your family to be a holy family. Just try to live in God’s love, and it will happen.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, please pray for all families. Let us become more and more like you.” Amen!
Sirach 3:
2 The Lord gives pride of place
to a father above his children
and establishes a mother’s judgment
above that of her offspring.
3 Those who honor their fathers
will make up for their own sins,
4 and those who praise their mother
are like people storing up treasure.
5 Those who honor their fathers
will be made happy
by their own children,
and they will be heard when they pray.
6 Those who praise their fathers
will live a long life,
and those who listen to the Lord
will give rest to their mothers,[
Sirach 3:6 LXXb adds 3:7a Those who fear the Lord will honor their father.
]
12 My child, help your father in his old age,
and don’t give him grief during his life.
13 And if his understanding fails,
be tolerant,
and don’t shame him,
because you have all your faculties.
14 Taking care of one’s father
won’t be forgotten.
It will be credited to you
against your sins.
(1) How happy is everyone who fears Adonai,
who lives by his ways.
2 You will eat what your hands have produced;
you will be happy and prosperous.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the inner parts of your house.
Your children around the table will be
like shoots from an olive tree.
4 This is the kind of blessing that will fall
on him who fears Adonai.
5 May Adonai bless you from Tziyon!
May you see Yerushalayim prosper
all the days of your life,
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.
14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body.
And be thankful — 16 let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts. 17 That is, everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
18 Wives, subject yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and don’t treat them harshly.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything; for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, don’t irritate your children and make them resentful, or they will become discouraged.
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Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
Mass Readings:
[1st Reading: Sirach 3:
2 The Lord gives pride of place
to a father above his children
and establishes a mother’s judgment
above that of her offspring.
3 Those who honor their fathers
will make up for their own sins,
4 and those who praise their mother
are like people storing up treasure.
5 Those who honor their fathers
will be made happy
by their own children,
and they will be heard when they pray.
6 Those who praise their fathers
will live a long life,
and those who listen to the Lord
will give rest to their mothers,[
Sirach 3:6 LXXb adds 3:7a Those who fear the Lord will honor their father
1]
2 My child, help your father in his old age,
and don’t give him grief during his life.
13 And if his understanding fails,
be tolerant,
and don’t shame him,
because you have all your faculties.
14 Taking care of one’s father
won’t be forgotten.
It will be credited to you
against your sins.
Responsorial: Psalm 128:(0) A song of ascents:
(1) How happy is everyone who fears Adonai,
who lives by his ways.
2 You will eat what your hands have produced;
you will be happy and prosperous.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the inner parts of your house.
Your children around the table will be
like shoots from an olive tree.
4 This is the kind of blessing that will fall
on him who fears Adonai.
5 May Adonai bless you from Tziyon!
May you see Yerushalayim prosper
all the days of your life,
2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.
14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body.
And be thankful — 16 let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts. 17 That is, everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
18 Wives, subject yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and don’t treat them harshly.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything; for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, don’t irritate your children and make them resentful, or they will become discouraged.
Gospel: Luke 2:
41 Every year Yeshua’s parents went to Yerushalayim for the festival of Pesach. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the festival, as custom required. 43 But after the festival was over, when his parents returned, Yeshua remained in Yerushalayim. They didn’t realize this; 44 supposing that he was somewhere in the caravan, they spent a whole day on the road before they began searching for him among their relatives and friends. 45 Failing to find him, they returned to Yerushalayim to look for him. 46 On the third day they found him — he was sitting in the Temple court among the rabbis, not only listening to them but questioning what they said; 47 and everyone who heard him was astonished at his insight and his responses. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked; and his mother said to him, “Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for you!” 49 He said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father’s affairs?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart.
52 And Yeshua grew both in wisdom and in stature, gaining favor both with other people and with God.
]
1. The first reading addresses the “honor” and “respect” due our parents. If your parents are still alive, what practical steps can you take to demonstrate more honor and respect for them? Also, why do you think it is important to ask them to forgive you for any times that you fell short of giving them honor and respect? If your parents are not alive, you may still want to repent to God for those times. And, of course, to pray for them.
2. The Responsorial Psalm begins with these words: “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.” What do the words, “fear the Lord” mean to you? Why is it much more than just being afraid of God?
3. The Responsorial Psalm also describes the many blessings of fearing the Lord. How would you describe them?
4. In the Second Reading, St. Paul tells us that the authentic atmosphere of a profoundly Christian life is made up of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and above all, love. How can you foster these characteristics in a greater way in your family life or in your relationships with other family members?
5. In the Gospel, we see the Holy Family as a model of unity and love in spite of their anxious response to their difficult three-day separation from Jesus. We also see Jesus, in spite of being filled with the urgency to be in his Father’s House, nevertheless, living in whole-hearted obedience to Mary and Joseph. What about you? What are the “urgencies” of your life that can keep you from being more obedient to God’s plan? What are some steps you can take during your busy days to be more in tune with the Lord’s will and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you?
6. The last paragraph of the meditation begins with these words: “Here are some things to think about as you gaze at the Holy Family: first, your family is not ordinary in God’s eyes. Every family is special to him. Every family receives his favor.” How would you describe the ways God might consider your family “special” in his eyes? In what ways have you and your family received God’s “favor”? What are some ways your family can pass this “favor” on to others and “make a difference in this world”?
7. Take some time now to consecrate your family to the Lord and ask Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to pray for all families that they would live in faith and trust and unity and love—as they were able to do. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, please pray for all families. Let us become more and more like you.” Amen!
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