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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Mass Readings
Reading 1: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3
Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5 or Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9
Reading 2: Colossians 3:12-21 or Colossians 3:12-17 or Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 or Luke 2:22, 39-40
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122720.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
This Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Family. I love seeing paintings and statues of the Holy Family. But all too often, the impression this art gives me is of a happy and comfortable family. But the reality of the Holy Family wasn’t perfect at all!
Remember, Joseph wanted to divorce Mary (Matthew 1:19). Mary had to give birth in a stable (Luke 2:1-7)! Mary and Joseph lost Jesus on their way home from Jerusalem (Luke 2:44). Herod was after them, so they had to flee their home and become refugees in a foreign land. Eventually, the family resettled in the small backwater town called Nazareth. And Joseph died all too early.
This doesn’t sound like an easy life, does it? I wonder how people in our throwaway culture would react under any one of these pressures. They’d probably say something like, “Are you kidding me? I’m out of here!”
But Mary and Joseph stuck it out. Their marriage is an excellent example of “in good times and in bad.” They emulate what we find in one of our second reading options from Colossians. I think we can describe Mary and Joseph as “holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if one has a grievance against one another…” (Colossians 3:12-13).
Mary and Joseph never gave up. They never surrendered. They put their faith in God, but they didn’t sit back and expect God to provide for them. They struggled, and they worked very hard – maybe more challenging than they thought they should. We can’t know for sure, but I’m willing to bet their hard life was not what Mary dreamed and not what Joseph dreamed.
Do you know anyone like – any who thinks their life hasn’t turned out the way they dreamed? It’s so easy these days to say “forget it” and move on.
No family is perfect. Like the Holy Family, every family faces some sort of challenge or challenges. And on their own, many families will struggle – perhaps harder than they need to.
Even those in our community who are not currently married for any reason – death, annulment or divorce, or single – all of us can help model healthy Christian relationships. We don’t do that by sitting around at the parish picnic saying things like, “my spouse was a real piece of work!” We model healthy relationships through the way we live the relationships in our lives – our families and friends.
The good news is that the Holy Family wasn’t alone. God was with them. And so too is God with all of us!
We see that in today’s Gospel. The Holy Family did what was required under the law of Moses when they took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22). They did what their faith asked. But Mary, who said yes to God, and Joseph, who followed the angel’s advice, weren’t merely checking off a box for their faith. The Holy Family believed. They did not act out of obligation but out of their deep faith and love for God.
In today’s language, we compare them to a family who honors holy days of obligation and even other liturgies like penance services or stations of the cross. We, as families, shouldn’t come to church to check off a box on our holy roller disco card. And we shouldn’t come just so that we don’t “sin.” We should come to church because we have deep faith and love for God. Like the Holy Family, parents should lead their children to God by their example.
Is that easy?
Anyone who has ever raised a teenager will know it’s not easy. Teenagers love to say things like “the mass is boring” or “I don’t get anything out of it.” Following the example of the Holy Family, parents must understand that their role is to plant the seeds of faith in their children.
Sometimes I’ve heard parents say the most shocking things, like the kid needs to find their path. But how can anyone choose if they don’t understand the choices? Our task as parents, following the example of the Holy Family, is to express our love for God by fully participating in our faith community and gathering with them for worship even when it seems inconvenient. We want our families to live our responsorial psalm today: blessed are those who are in awe of the Lord and walk in his ways! Remember, “fear of the Lord” means to be in awe of God; to reverence and obey God. <1>
Parents model the faith for their children, but it’s not just up to parents. All adults can model our faith to the children in our community. The children are a great blessing for us all. A church that isn’t crying is dying!
We all hope and pray that our children will grow as we heard in the Gospel “become strong, filled with wisdom,” and with the favor of God upon them (Luke 2:40).
Homework! Strengthened by the Sacraments, let’s reflect on the following two questions this week. First, how do I model healthy Christian relationships with my family and friends? Second, how do I model the faith to the children around me?
Reflecting on these questions will help us live and model healthy Christian relationships and family life to everyone we encounter. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
Image Credit: Shutterstock-Thoom. JPG file.
Notes:
<1> William S. Kurz, SJ, Acts of the Apostles (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013), chap. “The Conversion of Cornelius: Acts 10:1-11:18,” sec. “Peter’s Speech (10:34-43),” Kindle.
Bibliography/Suggested Reading:
1. Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2018. Kindle.
2. Hamm, Dennis SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
3. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
4. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Abraham and Sarah as models of faith: 144-46, 165, 489, 2572, 2676
2. The Presentation in the Temple: 529, 583, 695
3. The Holy Family: 531-34
4. The Christian family, a domestic Church: 1655-58, 2204-06
5. Duties of family members: 2214-33
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122720.cfm
Lectionary: 17
Reading 1
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father 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 of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
or
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying:
“Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great.”
But Abram said,
“O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”
Abram continued,
“See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir.”
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
“No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir.”
The Lord took Abram outside and said,
“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would;
he did for her as he had promised.
Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time that God had stated.
Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his
whom Sarah bore him.
Responsorial
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.
R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
or
Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R. (7a , 8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Reading 2
Colossians 3:12-21
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, 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.
Or
Colossians 3:12-17
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, 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.
Or
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Brothers and sisters:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
–and Sarah herself was sterile–
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer
his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Alleluia
Colossians 3:15A, 16A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Or
Hebrews 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
They took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
—and you yourself a sword will pierce—
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of 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 favor of God was upon him.
Or
Luke 2:22, 39-40
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
they took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of 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 favor of God was upon him.