The Feast of the Holy Family: December 26, 2021

 A MODEL FAMILY : THE HOLY FAMILY

 First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 2-4 and 12-14

Second Reading: Colossians 3: 12-21

Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 41-52

   *First reading is from the book of Ecclesiasticus. An advice to children of all ages to honour their parents is given. Honouring Father and Mother is a must for children. They are asked to take care of their parents in their old age and to show kindness and mercy even when the elderly are lacking understanding. There is a promise of reward to those who take care of their parents. It is told that the children who respect and obey their parents are in fact giving glory to God and storing up spiritual treasure for themselves. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Colossians. Paul gives a description of an ideal (model) Christian family. Love is the binding factor of Christian family life. Compassion, meekness, kindness and mutual respect and forgiveness are hallmarks of a good family. Paul advices the members of every Christian family to love and respect one another and have concern for one another.

Crisis in the Holy Family - Jesus lost in the Jerusalem temple                                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The Holy Family at Nazareth is portrayed as a model for all ideal and blessed families. But unfortunately it was not a place of total peace and tranquility if we assumed it be so. Joseph, Mary and boy Jesus had their share of struggles, misunderstandings and problems. Gospel narrates how boy Jesus was lost in the Jerusalem temple and later he was found by Mother Mary and St. Joseph. When Jesus was 12 years old, Holy Family went to the Jerusalem temple for Passover feast. After the feast, when the celebrations were over, while they returned on their way back Mary and Joseph realized that boy Jesus was not with them. They searched diligently for the child for three days with heavy hearts. Finally they found the boy Jesus in the temple. Mary expressed her anguish to Jesus. He simply told her, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Although Jesus was well aware of His mission entrusted to Him by His heavenly Father. He obediently went to Nazareth with His parents respecting their wishes . He did not want to hurt them and He continued to prepared for His public ministry staying with them. Holy Family gives us a lesson as to how we should deal with any crisis in our families - not by blaming one another but by going forward in faith with love and concern for one another.                                                              Here is a thought for those parents who say that they don't understand their children.                      "Your children are not your children.. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.. They come through you but not from you.. And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.. You may give them your love but not your thoughts.. You may house their bodies, but not their souls.. For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow.. Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams." - K. Gibran