Opening prayer: Father, help us to live as the Holy Family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sharing of life: How was your Christmas?
Facilitator reads focus statement: The first and second readings name important values needed for the healthy functioning of any family; e.g., respect, forgiveness, kindness, patience, love. The Gospel shows that even in the ideal family, things can go wrong, but even more so it stresses the importance of obedience to God.
Read the readings, pausing briefly after each one. Consider reading the commentary after each reading if you have not already done so.
FIRST READING: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Many scholars see this reading as a commentary on the fourth commandment. In line with a strong Israelite tradition, Sirach places a high priority on respect for one's parents, especially for the older members. Sirach also lists the rewards that come with such respectful conduct: one atones for one's sins; one is blessed with offspring, the blessing of a long life.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 128
This psalm, which talks about the fear (i.e., filial respect) of the Lord, makes reference to the blessing of a worthy wife, which, in turn, is a blessing to a whole family.
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:12-21
When large families, scattered all over the country, have an annual reunion, they often clothe themselves with a T-shirt bearing the name of the family. In this reading, Paul is exhorting all who belong to the Christian family to "clothe themselves" with more "substantive garments" of mercy, kindness, meekness, patience and love. These are all relational virtues, which will strengthen family and communal life. Also, the practice of these virtues will also readily identify the practitioners as followers of Jesus. Paul also encourages his readers to join together in singing psalms and other inspirational songs.
Finally, there are some directives for households. These directives are partially based on rules that governed households in the ancient Greco-Roman world. This was a patriarchal world where men totally ruled their wives, children and slaves. One commentator on the text writes: "What is emphasized in this Christian household code is not patriarchal privilege but male responsibility in the familial relationships. This means that "in Christ" the relationships between man, woman and child have radically altered." (Diane Bergant).
GOSPEL: Luke 2:41-52
The key element of this story is Jesus' self-declaration about himself that he must be in "My Father's house". When Mary and Joseph find their lost child, Mary questions him about why he has done this to them. Jesus' response is one of surprise. Mary's reference to Joseph as "your Father" is paralleled with Jesus' reference to God as "my Father" and therein lies the main point in this story. Jesus' response signals:
Yet, in this story Jesus shows himself faithful to both. In doing what he did in the Temple he was obeying God, but then we are told he went home with his parents to Nazareth and was obedient to them. In fact, obedience is an underlying theme in this gospel. Four times in this text Luke says that the actions of Mary, Joseph and Jesus were carried out in accord with the law.
On a lighter side, we can say that this story shows us that even in the best of families things go wrong. Perhaps, we could say that Joseph and Mary should have been more vigilant of her young son or we could say that Jesus should have told his parents where he was.
FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS
1. What verse spoke to you and why?
2. What stresses do families today face that they didn't in the past? What can we learn from the Holy Family to help us deal with the stresses of modern life?
3. What are the characteristics of a holy family?
4. How would families benefit from belonging to a Small Christian Community?
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Name one way you can act on this Sunday's readings. Some suggestions: If there is a family member with whom you are distant, call or write to him/her. Pray often for your family if you do not already to so. Reach out to a neighbor who lives alone and has very few friends.
CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION
Pray for all families, including your parish family and all Small Christian Communities. Pray for families who are hurting for whatever reason. Pray for elderly parents who are abandoned by their children. ©