December 27, 2020
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Christmas is an octave, 8 days, to Celebrate the birth of Jesus. On December 25, the Nativity, we focus on Jesus; on January 1 on Mary, Mother of God; and on December 27, on the Holy Family. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of family as the social unit that deeply shapes our mental, emotional, and spiritual character.
Family is a bridge connecting generations. Society stresses our responsibility to the future, but we also must respect those who have come before us. We see this appreciation in the first Reading, the Book of Sirach. The Jewish Wisdom writer underscores the respect children should have for their parents and parents for their children. Family is an academy where we start to learn virtues of patience, cooperation, self-discipline, self-control, conflict resolution and dealing with authority. St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians reminds the community that they are holy and beloved. Using a baptismal metaphor of a white garment he speaks of families being wrapped in values of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love. Families are cells of the Body of Christ where we come to know Jesus and experience God’s love and mercy.
Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. There, they are met by Simeon and Anna. Simeon is a Jewish man of great faith who thanks God for allowing him to live long enough to see “Christ the Lord.” Anna, a widow, 84 years old, is a woman of hope. Living without a husband for many years she does not become embittered but often come to the temple to praise God. She is part of the worshipping and prayer community centered at the temple. She speaks of the child to all who long for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Much is said of Mary but not always of Joseph. In the Infancy Narratives of Luke and Matthew, Joseph is presented as a devoted and caring husband and father. He can accept life as it is, with all its contradictions, frustrations, and disappointments. Pope Francis has proclaimed 2021 “A Year of Joseph.” In his apostolic letter “Patris corde,” in Latin, “With a father’s heart,” Pope Francis says, the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic has helped us to see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people, like St. Joseph, who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. The Pope describes Joseph as “the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father.”
Family life is far from perfect, often messy. There are parents deficient in parenting skill and affection. There are children who show disrespect to loving and caring parents. Whatever our family of origin we have a responsibility to create, support and nurture families. Family is the most important community in which we will ever belong.
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Epiphany
