A Season For The Family

The Holy Family
26 December 2010 Let us worship Christ, the Son of God, who made himself obedient to Mary and to Joseph.

First reading Ecclesiasticus 3:3-7,14-17
The Lord honours the father in his children,
and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,
he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,
he shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honours his father,
he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
My son, support your father in his old age,
do not grieve him during his life.
Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy,
do not despise him in your health and strength;
for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten
but will serve as reparation for your sins.

Psalm 127:1-5

Second reading Colossians 3:12-21
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness. Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord. Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.

Alternative second reading Colossians 3:12-17 ©
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Gospel Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

I called my son out of Egypt.

After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled:

‘He will be called a Nazarene.’

Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano

The Christmas season possesses a particular hallmark all over the world: it's a time for family and friends alike to be reunited. I'm very happy that this year, I am spending the holidays at home. It has been four years since my last visit to our home country. What makes this one special is it's my daughter's first Christmas here! I'm delighted to have met a number of relatives, friends, former classmates and colleagues, and other people that touched my life.

After attending a get-together with ex-college classmates, I took a cab home. I was a bit concerned about the traffic and the security, but this was allayed by the driver whom I had an interesting conversation with.

I didn't get his first name, but the driver came across as a friendly, happy man. He told me that he had a family with 4 children, two of which have already graduated and are already employed. Apart from driving on the unholy hours of the day, he is also serving in the barangay as an Ex-Officio member (the Chairman's right hand man if you like). His wife has a fruit stall in a local public market. He told me that before his current jobs, he used to do odd jobs such as selling food, buying old bottles, etc.

He admitted to me that had it not been through the grace of God and the support of his parents to whom 2 of his kids are living with (as their home is far from where they study), he and his family won't be able to survive all the trials they have to face.

I asked him where will they spend their Nochebuena. He told me they're going to spend it with his parents; his siblings and their children will be there too. He mentioned to me with excitement that there would be a meal and exchanging of gifts, but what he really looked forward to was that they will all be together on Christmas.

As we were nearing our destination, he recalled how he would often remind his children to respect their elders, to ask for their blessings, and to kiss them as a sign of affection. He also advised them never to tarnish their name as this would be the only legacy he would leave them.

Before getting out of the car, I thanked him for the conversation we had and the lessons I learned from that.

As we continue to celebrate the Christmas season, let's be reminded that this season is first and foremost meant for the family.  Like this taxi driver's family, let our families be rooted in God's graciousness and our neighbor's kindness. Doing so, we would be able to imitate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who have always been docile to the plans and designs of God.  Doing so, our Christmas celebrations would truly be meaningful in spite of the economic and other forms of crises.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. Amen.



Next week on God-speak Not Over Yet!