Parents' Wonders

    

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

31 December 2023

 

First Reading: Gen 15:1-6, 21:1-3

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Second Reading: Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Gospel: Lk 2:22-40

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

 

A couple talks about the milestones of their 2-year-old son with their relatives during a family reunion. From birth to toddler, they try their best to enumerate (and exaggerate) all the good developments that their son had as the relatives listen in amazement. Milestones such as crawling on the third month, speaking words on the fifth month, walking on eight months, reading books on fifteenth month, playing soccer on twenty-second month, and so on. The child even demonstrated kicking a soccer ball inside the house. The proud parents would lift each of their own chairs (nagbubuhat ng sariling bangko) as they also argue with each other. “Mana sa akin 'yan,” said the father. But the mother disagrees saying, “Sa akin nagmana 'yan kasi matalino.” Then the child shocked everyone when he intentionally kicked the ball directly to the dining table and laughed aloud. After a brief silence, the couple then continue arguing with each other, “Manang mana sa kakulitan mo!” said the mother. “Sa iyo niya nakikita 'yan mahilig magpapansin” refuted the father.

Sometimes, I wonder how some parents could not realize their ability to influence their own children with their traits and values. Being a new parent, I have yet to understand this when my son grows up and I may also admit or deny which qualities he gets from me. But there are many things that I was only able to understand when I became a parent, like being able to answer one of the most intriguing questions often addressed to parents, “How come you are sleep deprived? Your baby sleeps 20 hours in a day and you should sleep when the baby sleeps.” I can even answer this wondering, “How can I, especially my wife, are able to do a lot of things even with little sleep?” Perhaps it will remain a mystery and an exaggeration for now, but I will always be amazed at how parents are able to do beyond their own perceived capabilities when it comes to taking care of their children.

Today is The Feast of The Holy Family. The readings today are some of the guidelines that we can follow for our children to grow and be filled with wisdom. I believe that being obedient to God, Mary and Joseph were able to raise Jesus wonderfully to honor and take care of His earthly parents. I also imagine the challenges that Mary and Joseph encountered in taking care of The Messiah Himself. When God chose to be a fragile infant to dwell with us, I can imagine how overwhelmed Mary and Joseph were during the moment Jesus was born. They knew that they will be teaching Jesus not just about the laws, but also kindness, compassion, and justice. They knew that even in Jesus’ divinity, His humanity remains, and He still needs to be guided as He grew up. I believe that the guidance and imparted wisdom of Mary and Joseph helped Jesus a lot during His mission as a grown up. And I can imagine today how Mary and Joseph, because of God’s grace, are still amazed how they were able to raise the One who redeemed the world.

Saint Paul reminds us to let Christ richly dwell in us with gratitude in our hearts. Inspired by the Holy Family, may we be able to continue receiving God’s wisdom through bearing one another in heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. May we, as sons and daughters, continue to honor our parents in obedience according to God’s grace and mercy.

Prayer

PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY

(Pope Francis, 29 December 2013)

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 scandalized

find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may the approaching Synod of Bishops

make us once more mindful

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,

and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

graciously hear our prayer.

* Special intentions for my friend who recently got engaged. May God’s grace continue to fill her heart with joy and bring fulfillment to her longing to build a family of her own. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.