Ideal Family

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons. He who honors his father atones for sins; stores up riches who reveres his mother. He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering--it will take lasting root.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 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. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"  But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

Reflection

By Nats Vibiesca

One of the obvious lessons in the Gospel is being obedient to God as Jesus was obedient to His parents. Being obedient, means one to be submissive to the authority. Obedience can be translated also in being ready and willing to serve. But for a hardheaded like me, I usually require clear reasons before obeying. Sometimes God will not give sufficient reasons for me to understand but I just have to trust and submit to His Holy Will.

The members of the Holy Family understand well each other. By understanding each other, they can tell anything without criticizing, without judging or condemning. They can express everything inside them because they feel understood by each member of the family. This is how we love to see our own family—not anxious in hiding things. We want to feel that with a good listener—a member of the family—everything is in good hands because this listener understands and thus, enables one to understand oneself better. An understanding without judging or condemning has a healing and liberating effect.

This is what we want for our family—that we can talk about what has been distressing us for so long, something we held back because we were ashamed of it. We listen and then it comes out of hiding, into the light, so it can be changed.

With full trust and understanding, we begin to serve each other, thus being obedient. Having the courage to serve, to stand up for others, goes with the readiness to set yourself aside, to become free of yourself in order to risk yourself for others. This is the kind of humility that the Holy Family is offering us to imitate in our journey to this life.

Prayer

Lord, make our family like Jesus, Mary and Joseph as we celebrate their feast. May this occasion teach us the virtues of obedience, understanding, and humility. Keep our family Holy and never allow us to be distracted by so many problems but trusting in Your love and mercy, we may serve You with all our heart and strength. Amen.