Sunday, December 29, 2002
Holy Family
1st Reading: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14
The Lord established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her children.
Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself.
Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.
Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the Lord gives comfort to his mother.
My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives.
Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.
For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.
2nd
Reading: Col 3:12-21
Clothe yourselves, then, as is fitting for God's chosen people, holy and beloved of him. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience to bear with one another and forgive whenever there is any occasion to do so. As the Lord has forgiven you, forgive one another. When you have put on all these, take love as your belt so that the dress be perfect. May the peace of Christ overflow in your hearts; for this end you were called to be one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of God dwell in you in all its richness. Teach and admonish one another with words of wisdom. With thankful hearts sing to God psalms, hymns and spontaneous praise. And whatever you do or say, do it in the Name of Jesus, the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as you should do in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not get angry with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, because that pleases the Lord. Parents, do not be too demanding of your children, lest they become discouraged.
Gospel:
Lk 2:22-40
When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel, and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.
Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying,
"Now, O Lord, you can dismiss
your servant in peace,
for you have fulfilled your word
and my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you display for all the people to see.
Here is the light you will reveal to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."
His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light."
There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.
Commentary
A day to pray for families, as we remember Mary and Joseph carrying Jesus to the Temple to present him to God as their first-born. Who is the child they carry? This time it is through Simeon and Anna that the revelation is given. People of wisdom, prayer and faith, God enlightened them to see in this simple child God's anointed one. Like Elizabeth, John the Baptist, the shepherds, even Stephen, Simeon is filled with joy. "Lord, you have been faithful to your promise, and now you can let your servant go in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation." Jesus is the light for all nations, and the glory of his own people. The cross cannot be forgotten: a sword will pierce his mother's soul. Yet, through his wounds we shall be healed.