THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, CYCLE B

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, forever and ever.

Sharing life: Share a very happy childhood memory.

Facilitator reads focus statement: In the first reading, Abraham is called to trust in God. In the second reading the author praises Abraham and Sarah for their faith in God. The Gospel shows that even in the most ideal family, things can go wrong. The Gospel also stresses obedience to God.

If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it either before or after you read each reading.

FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3

When God called Abraham, he promised that he would be the father of a great nation (Gen. 12:1-4). In today’s reading, Abraham is wondering when God is going to fulfill his promise. In the midst of his doubt, God comes and reassures Abraham that he will be faithful to his promise. Then the reading jumps forward six chapters (Ch. 21) where we read about God fulfilling his promise to Abraham and Sarah.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 105

In this psalm, the author is full of gratitude to God for his faithfulness to his covenant with the descendants of Abraham.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

In these five verses from chapter eleven of Hebrews, the author holds up Abraham as a man of outstanding faith. Abraham’s faith was a faith ready for adventure. God’s call to Abraham meant that he had to leave family, home and business and he did. It meant that he had to leave the known and go to the unknown and he did.

The reading also praises the faith of Sarah. Both she and her husband believed in what was humanly impossible – that they would conceive a child in their old age.

Verses 17-19 speak of Abraham’s biggest test - when God called him to sacrifice his son. The story calls us to be ready to sacrifice what is dearest to us out of loyalty to God. It has been said, when Abraham was going up the hill, Isaac belonged to him. After he showed his willingness to sacrifice his son, he belonged to God.

GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40

In this story, Luke seeks to portray Jesus and his family as very faithful Jews, fulfilling two requirements of the Law: purification of the mother after childbirth (Lev.12:1-8) and the dedication of the first son to God (Ex. 13:2, 12-16). The purification rite called for a sacrifice. Mary and Joseph gave an offering of the poor-two pigeons. Within the presentation story, we encounter two older and very faithful Jews, Simeon and Anna, who testify to the true nature of the child. The aged saints represent the faithful remnant of Israel at her best: devout, obedient, constant in prayer and led by the Spirit at home and in the Temple, longing and hoping for the fulfillment of God’s promises. They are the portrait of the Israel who accepted Jesus, in contrast to the Pharisees and Scribes who symbolize the Israel who rejected Jesus.

Also, for Luke, this story enables him to speak of the "continuation theme" between Judaism and Christianity. Simeon and Anna, two faithful Jews, recognize and welcome the new Messiah, the One who will be a revealing light to the Gentiles and the glory of their people, Israel. Simeon poetically speaks of the painful side of Jesus’ arrival on the scene. Jesus and his life will be a ‘sword of sorrow’ for Mary and a sign that many will reject. Thus as Simeon and Anna recognize the good news of Jesus’ arrival, they also make the reader aware of the cost of accepting the Messiah. Simeon’s prophetic words about Jesus; is confirmed by the elderly Anna. She gives thanks to God and witnesses about the child to all who have kept alive hope "for the deliverance of Israel."

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. What verse spoke to you most? Why?

2. Abraham needed a lot of faith to make him ready for the known and travel into the known. What was the most difficult journey you have had to take from the known to the unknown? What helped you to make the transition and what did you learn in the process?

3. As you observe family life today, what gives you joy and what makes you sad?

4. What one word of wisdom could you offer families today?

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Name one way you can act on today’s readings. Suggestion: If there is a rift between you and a family member, do something practical to heal the hurt.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION