Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6, 12-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:41-52
Ironically, Christmas time seems to a time which is difficult for many families. There are disagreements, arguments and sometimes ‘falling out’ over the silliest of things. Perhaps the tensions come about because too many of us try to hold on to the things that are familiar to us, to the detriment of consideration for others and their feelings and regard for what is familiar to them. We have to break with our families if we are to find ourselves. And individuality is not possible until there is a break from the familiar - from the family! – be that the domestic family, the local family or even the family of religious community.
Jesus, on his first visit to Jerusalem, was almost prevented from doing the Father’s work because of the concern of Joseph and Mary. This Pilgrimage of Jesus to Jerusalem led him to discover who He was. Of course Mary and Joseph were only doing what good parents, a good family would do and we all know that the family is the basis of society and it is where the child learns the principles of justice, morality, love and good order. The family is the space where children are prepared to become Persons, distinct individuals with unique offerings to society.
Jesus went down to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph to live under obedience to them and to be protected by them. It was through messages from God that Mary and Joseph received their calling. Mary realised the one to be born of her was to be great and be called the Son of God. Joseph heard the message of the angel and carried it out to the letter.
But their relationship with the child they were given was not always without tension, doubt and pain. The rebuke of Jesus to Mary at Cana was not meant to be hurtful, but we could interpret the “what is this to you” to mean “mind your own business”!!! My hour has not yet come, my mission, my task!!
Later when Mary and the disciples wanted to speak with Jesus and he was told so, his response seemed too harsh. “Who is my Mother, who are my brothers……? The answer defines what being a member of God’s family is; “The one who hears the Word of God and does it, is mother, brother, sister ...........” They become family in the real sense – children of the Father who comes before all. Peter and the others had to leave house, father, mother, brothers, sisters etc in order to follow Jesus. Families are not ‘ultimate’s’. Neither blood nor soil, nature or nurture can be allowed to have the last word in deciding who we are to be. These cannot displace our direct relationship with God.
We pray today for families, particularly, Christian families, that they may be inspired by the Holy Family to be supportive of each member of the family in their seeking God’s will and doing it for the salvation of all.