Scripture
Luke 2:41-52 Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought that he was with the group, so they travelled a whole day and then started looking for him among their relatives and friends. They did not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.” He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand his answer. So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favour with God and people. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Reflection On this Sunday following Christmas we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Today, the Church encourages us to look to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration and encouragement. Family is the place where we learn to love by first being loved ourselves. The family where love is found is a holy family. Holiness is being like God, and God is love. When we are loved, and when we love, we experience God in our lives. We know the Holy Family were not exempt from the hurts and challenges that face all families. They were a poor family who faced daily toil. They would have encountered misunderstanding and gossip from others. They would have encountered the death of loved ones; we know St. Joseph most likely passed away prior to Jesus’ public ministry. In today’s Scripture reading we see Mary and Joseph as worried parents in a crisis when their son is lost. When he is found they struggle to understand his reply when he is asked why he has done this. Mary devoutly ponders in her heart, and Joseph silently provides for them in strong faith when he fails to understand what Jesus says to him. For the next eighteen years, until he began his public ministry, Jesus lived under their authority. On this feast of the Holy Family, it is good to pray in thanks for our own parents and family. No one’s family is perfect. All our family members, including ourselves have made mistakes and got things wrong. We have all done and said things that we have later regretted. Regardless of this, we owe our family everything and for this we thank God. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prayer of Pope Francis to the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Music On this feast of the Holy Family we recall the hymn from the World Meeting of Families A Joy for all the Earth. |