The Season for the Family

The Holy Family   31 December 2017

First reading

Book of Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

The Lord honours a father above his children,
and he confirms a mother’s right over her children.
Those who honour their father atone for sins,
and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure.
Those who honour their father will have joy in their own children,
and when they pray they will be heard.
Those who respect their father will have long life,
and those who honour their mother obey the Lord;
My child, help your father in his old age,
and do not grieve him as long as he lives;
even if his mind fails, be patient with him;
because you have all your faculties do not despise him.
For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
and will be credited to you against your sins

                

Second reading

Colossians 3:12-21

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.

Gospel

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Reflection

by Jessa Janelle Padilla

Christmas is the season where every family member does their best to be with their loved ones and become complete to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  This is the season when most of our countrymen who work abroad or out of town come home to spend time with their family. The family is the center of this season and this is underscored as we celebrate today the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

How much do we value, love, and care our family - not only our spouse and children, but also our parents, and even our siblings? Are we an obedient sons or daughters? Our first reading from the Book of Sirach says, “Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself for them. When he prays, he is heard.” Prophet Sirach encourages every child to honor and obey their father since it will bring comfort to the mother. We, the children of our parents, must always obey and honor them because all their commands, against or not in our will, are for our own sake. They are chosen by God to be our guardians and to make us God-fearing children. We are forever indebted to our parents and to God, who choose them, since without them we are nothing.

In our second reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Saint Paul says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God”. Let’s welcome Jesus in our hearts and lives. Let our works be done in honor to Him and let us sing songs that glorify Him. May we include in our playlist, songs glorifying Him and not just songs that remind us how broken we are or rock and roll songs.  Spiritual songs uplift our faith and our well being. It calms us and makes us happy. It would be nice too if we could involve the whole family in singing praises to God, at home or in the church.

Our Gospel reading is all about how Mary and Joseph became obedient to the Law of Moses. They took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. In today’s situation, some parents are not willing to surrender their children to the service to the Lord. They discourage their children from entering the convent or seminary because of personal reasons. They want their children to have a family of their own. In contrast, other parents are willing to surrender their children to the service to the Lord. They’ve become supportive to their children’s decision to become a priest or a religious. Whatever path the children may choose depends on how good and disciplined the parents are. Also in our Gospel, Simeon recognizes and gave honor to Jesus. In our daily lives, how do we recognize Jesus? We can see Jesus in our family, friends, neighbors, children, the sick, the dying, the poor, and unemployed. Jesus is close to the children, the elders and the poor. Let us all treat one another as how we treat Jesus. May we become like Simeon who recognizes Jesus.


May our family be like the Holy family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus: open and obedient to God's will. May we also consider everyone as family, blood or not blood related, since we are all children of God. 

Prayer

Almighty God, we thank You most sincerely for bringing Jesus in our life through Mary and Joseph. Their Holy family is a perfect example of a family. May our family imitate the Holy Family. May our families become closer and open to one another. May You bless every family. We ask this through the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Amen.