THE HOLY FAMILY: THE SHINING EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE
(A biblical reflection on THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY – Sunday, 30 December 2012)
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:41-52
First Reading: 1Sam 1:20-22,24-28; Psalms: Ps 84:2-3,5-5,9-10; Second Reading: 1Jn 3:1-2,21-24
The Scripture Text
Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing Him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us so? Behold, Your father and I have been looking for You anxiously.” And He said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which He spoke them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and His mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. (Lk 2:41-52 RSV)
What a strange incident the Church asks us to reflect on for the Feast of the Holy Family! In Luke’s account of the finding of Jesus in the Temple, we see the Holy Family – the model for all human families – dealing with confusion and miscommunication – to the point that couple’s only child is lost for three whole days! So what makes Jesus, Mary, and Joseph such shining examples of how we are called to live? The answer lies in the way they responded to the crisis they faced.
When Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was missing, they did not waste any time arguing about which of them was to blame for losing Him. Rather, they united in a prolonged and painstaking search for their lost son. And even when they found their adolescent boy safe but unapologetic, they did not erupt in anger or try to heap accusations and guilt upon Him just to make Him feel bad for putting them through such an ordeal. Surely they were anguished, but they did not focus all their upset feelings on Him. Evidently, a dozen years sharing the same roof with Jesus had taught them to trust, even when they did not fully understand.
Even well-intentioned and loving families face misunderstandings, hardships, and tragedies at times. It is at times like these that we can especially remember the Holy Family and draw from their example. No matter how “holy” we feel, every family can learn to weather the storms of life by placing their needs before their heavenly Father and believing that He will never let them out of His hands.
Jesus seemed very far away during Mary and Joseph’s three-day ordeal. But all the time, He was waiting for them in His Father’s house. There will be times when our own children, spouses, or parents may seem far from us, too. But as members of God’s family, sooner or later we can expect to find each other in our Father’s house. In the meantime, let us consecrate our families to Jesus and ask Him to teach us how to live in the same faith and trust that Mary and Joseph knew.
Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, throughout their lives together, You blessed Mary and Joseph for their love and compassion. Let Your Holy Spirit unite the members of our families as well. Thank You, Father. Amen.
