THE HOLY FAMILY : A MODEL FAMILY
First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 2 to 4 and 12 to 14
Second Reading: Colossians 3: 12 to 21
Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 41 to 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: Boy Jesus is 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 in the world. But unfortunately, it is not a place of total tranquility if we assume it to be so. Joseph, Mary and 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 is 12 years old, the Holy Family goes to the Jerusalem temple for the Passover feast. After the feast, when the celebrations are over, on their return journey, Mary and Joseph realize that boy Jesus is not with them. They search diligently for the child for three agonizing days with heavy hearts. Finally they find boy Jesus in the temple. Mary expresses her anguish and pain to Jesus. He simply tells her: "Do you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Although Jesus is well aware of His mission entrusted to Him by the Heavenly Father, He obediently goes to Nazareth with His parents, respecting their wishes. He does not want to hurt them and He continues to prepare for His public ministry, remaining with them, till it begins. Holy Family gives us some wonderful lessons as to how we should deal with the many crises in our family life: Not by blaming one another but by going forward in faith with love and concern for one another. From the Gospels we realize that, just as every family has to face many day to day problems and challenges, so also the Holy Family had many challenges to deal with. Mary and Joseph had more than their share of problems and difficulties from the time the angel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a Son who would be called God with us (Emmanuel), till the death of Jesus on the cross. Just as the Holy Family overcame all the challenges and difficulties through their love for each other and being faithful to God, today we pray that all families will conquer the many challenges through love for each other and faith in the providence of God. Here is a thought for those parents who say that they do not understand their children. Khalil Gibran gives us this message: "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 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."
May the Holy Family bless you and all families with love, compassion, kindness and mutual respect and lead you to the love of God. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, December 29, 2024. Thanks.)
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