The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Today's Scripture
Today, in the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. The Holy Family is at one and the same time a model for all families, and also unique among all families. No other family on earth can boast God as their child. No matter how holy a mother in a family might be, no mother apart from Mary was conceived free of original sin, nor is it likely that any other mother remained completely sinless. These are just a few of the anomalies which confront us in the Holy Family. At the same time, we are called upon to strive for the holiness and love modeled for us in the Holy Family. This can be difficult, not only because of our own sinfulness, but also because we do not have much in Scripture concerning the Holy Family to serve as a model.
Today’s readings put forth a number of worthy qualities important to keep in mind. One of the options for the first reading taken from the Book of Sirach emphasizes the commandment to honor one’s parents. The other option for the first reading, from First Samuel emphasizes a family’s trust in God to miraculously bless them with a child, and then shows us how the family gave the child back to God for religious service. We could focus on numerous aspects in these or other readings, but, I want to focus instead on the Gospel reading from St. Luke’s Gospel, because it is here that we encounter one of Scriptures rare glimpses into the life of the Holy Family.
The first thing we notice in the Gospel reading is that the Holy Family went up to Jerusalem every year for the religious feast of Passover. This highlights the important role God played in the life of the Holy Family. I think it is important, however, to meditate on verses 43-51. Jesus remains in Jerusalem while His parents head home. They probably assumed He was with other members of the family in the caravan. When they realize He is lost, they head back to Jerusalem in search of Jesus. Eventually they find Him. Much could be said about their comments back and forth, concerning Jesus’ status as Son of God, and His wisdom displayed in front of the religious teachers. But I think one aspect of these readings can get glossed over, namely verse 51, “and his mother kept all these things in her heart.”
This search for Jesus, this quest to find Him, is a wonderful model for us to keep with us in our daily lives. In our attempt to continually practice the presence of God, do we not sometimes “lose track” of Jesus? When we set about our work, in the home, outside the home, or wherever, do we transform our labors into prayer? Our entire day is an opportunity to spend time with Jesus, whether we are cleaning up and getting ready to start the day, taking care of wild children, or of those who drain our energies, driving in the car, washing dishes, sitting in front of a computer, or whatever else. Sometimes it can be beneficial throughout the day to pause and take our bearings, to go off in search of Jesus. This is much easier for us than it was for St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. All we have to do is utter a prayer, even if there is no silence to assist us. Most importantly, we need to learn to imitate Mary, and keep “all these things” in our own hearts. The “all these things” can be the mysteries of the faith, the stories of Scripture, but especially the life of Jesus and of the Holy Family are beneficial points to ponder.
Perhaps today we can renew our efforts to seek Jesus in our daily life, especially during this Christmas season. Let us learn to be like Mary and keep the life of Jesus in our hearts, pondering every aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry, meditating upon them throughout our day. The rosary is an especially apt tool to help us live this out. Let us also ask the members of the Holy Family, St. Joseph, our Most Holy Mother Mary, and especially Jesus, to help us live the faith, hope, and charity of the Holy Family in our own lives.
- Jeff Morrow