Sunday, December 28, 2003
Feast of the Holy Family

Readings:
Si 3: 3-7; 14-17 Honor your parents
Responsorial Psalm 127: 1-5 Happy are those who fear the Lord
Col. 3: 12-21 Sing psalms, hymns and songs to God from the heart
Lk 2: 41-52 Jesus remains in the Temple

Today we are celebrating the feast of the Holy Family. The liturgy texts refer to family issues. In the first reading, taken from the book of Ecclesiasticus (Si), we hear the advice that a man, Ben Sirac, who lived several centuries before Christ, gives to his children. Respect and reverence towards their parents is pleasing to the eyes of God and he will reward it. Children who honor their parents will in turn be honored by their own children. Even though all this advice is still quite valid today, it seems inadequate since it is given within a strictly rural mentality, where other aspects of family life are not considered. Today it’s not only important to talk about the respect that children owe to their parents but also the parents’ attitude towards the children. This inadequacy is particularly noteworthy at times like these when the family is faced with the problem of the loss of functions.

From a Christian perspective, the family continues to have an irreplaceable function: to be a community of love whose members can open themselves up to others in complete sincerity and confidence. Setting aside the final advice that Saint Paul gives, which is purely circumstantial and linked to the customs and mentality of his time, the exhortation to gentleness, patience, forgiveness and above all, love, is something truly fundamental for families today.

The gospel of Luke, which tells us of losing the child Jesus in the Temple, was probably written about fifty years after the fact. About the age of twelve is when children begin to feel independent. For Luke, this first trip by Jesus up to Jerusalem is the portent of his Pascal journey and therefore, these events must be read in the light of the Lord’s death and resurrection.

For Luke, Christ’s wisdom was the devotion “to his Father” from an early age, without necessarily meaning that he knew where this devotion would lead him. But the decision to place it above anything else was surely a part of it. His parents do not possess this wisdom yet. Mary seems to sense it. But in any event, they respect a vocation in their son that transcends the family. And this is something very valuable for each of our families. Educating children must begin with a sincere attitude of respect. If not, it is impossible for comprehension and love to emerge.

Paul gives some advice about living with others. It requires humility, mutual receiving, patience. And if it were necessary, forgiveness. That is how God acts towards us. His attitude should be our model (v. 12-13). “But above all” is love, we must clothe ourselves it in, says Paul, using a metaphor often found in his letters (v.14). In this way “the peace of Christ” will reign in our hearts (v.15).

If love is the link that unites people, peace will be built as a process; misunderstandings will slowly disappear (as will confrontations) and relations will become more and more transparent. Within the framework of the human family, these ties are described in the text of Ecclesiasticus (3: 3-17).

Luke shows Jesus’ family fulfilling its religious duties (v.41-42). The child bewilders his parents remaining in the city of Jerusalem on his own. After three days, a period of time laden with symbolic meaning, they find him. A difficult dialogue ensues, it seems like a misunderstanding; it sounds like a reproach: “Why have you done this to us?” The question arises from the anguish they felt (v.48). The answer surprises: “Why were you looking for me?”(v.49), it is surprising because the reason seems obvious. But the second question has a greater reach: “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” At first, Mary and Joseph did not understand these words, they were learning (v.50).

Faith and trust always have to do with a journey. As believers, Mary and Joseph develop their faith amidst perplexity, anguish and joys. Things will slowly become clearer. Luke shows us that Mary “kept everything in her heart”(v. 51). Mary’s meditation allows her to deepen her understanding of Jesus’ mission. Her special proximity to him doesn’t exempt her from the sometimes-difficult process, which leads to comprehension of God’s plans. She is like the first disciple, the first one evangelized by Jesus.

It is not easy to understand God’s plans. Even Mary doesn’t “understand.” But there are three basic requirements for entering into communion with God:

Examining our Lives

-How do I live my family life? Could my relatives be suffering because of me?

-Is there a difference between what I say in public and what I live in my family?

-The family is a static reality that goes through very different phases of evolution…what will be the next phase that my family experiences? Will it require some kind of preparation or precaution?

For the Community’s Reflection

-The issue of the “defense of the family” is an area of conflict between the Church and today’s society. Analyze the positions on both sides. For the Church: could it be that it is defending a specific model of family rather than the family itself? Where does that leave relationships and differences between Church and autonomous situations, faith and culture, legitimate pluralism, enculturation…Concretely: what new attitudes would it be good for the Church to take on this subject?

-Compare Jesus’ migration (even if it were symbolic) with that of the millions of displaced and migrants of today’s world.

-Jesus did not stand out as a “defender of family”…Clearly for him, the family is not the most important thing in life. There are values the family should submit to, values that we should also place above our relationship to our family…Comment on Jesus’ behavior.

For the Prayer of the Faithful

-For all the church, so that all Christians make it a true family in which there is no discrimination but where justice, love and fraternity reign. Let us pray.

-For all Christians, that we may be solidary in the task of making this world one single human family filled with peace and fraternity. Let us pray.

-For all Christian families, that they may be open to all the positive transformations that the family institution is experiencing today. Let us pray.

-For broken families, children who suffer the consequences of a separation, those who are distant from their families, those who don’t learn how to live with their relatives. Let us pray.

-For families without houses, without work, those who emigrate. Let us pray.

-For our families, that we may live in accord with our faith, working for the Kingdom. Let us pray. 

Let Us Pray

Oh God, full Trinitarian Community, Father and Mother of the entire Human Family: make the sense of belonging to the same and single Universal Family vibrate in us, so that the world and humanity may be transformed in the search for your Project of Love. You who live and makes live, forever and ever. Amen.

Lord Jesus, who wished to start your life like any human being, in the bosom of a family, needing warmth, food and the support of those closest; beginning to learn to walk…Let us appreciate the virtues of the home and the value of authenticity that daily commitment in unseen humility provides. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.