December 26, 2021
Holy Family
Growing up, we tend to admire some families who seem to have it all together while we are struggling in our families to keep things from falling apart. When we grow up, we discover most if not all families have a measure of dysfunction. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph seems far removed from the reality of family life today and yet when we listen closely to the Gospel according to St. Luke, we find a family in crisis facing issues that we can relate to like fear and anxiety over losing a child, tension between obedience and independence, and the balancing expectations, respect and understanding.
Jewish culture supports Joseph and Mary raising Jesus in the faith. Jesus has a unique filial relationship with God the Father and at the same time he is receiving, learning, and growing in his Jewish faith at home. Joseph takes Jesus to the synagogue at Nazareth. On special occasions like Passover, when Jesus is twelve, the family undertakes a 3-day pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem. After the festival, upon their return, the parents discover that Jesus is not among extended family or neighbors in the caravan. Joseph and Mary, after searching for Jesus, journey back to Jerusalem and eventually find Jesus in the temple listening to and asking questions of the teachers. Those present are astounded at his understanding and answers.
Joseph and Mary are astonished. Mary says to Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us. Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.†Jesus replies, “Why are you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?†Parents whose son or daughter has run off without permission or taken from them can commiserate with Mary and Joseph. The response of Jesus seems to correct his mother by clarify Jesus’ need to be about the interests of his heavenly Father.
We sense the pain and poignancy of this moment, parents attempting to hold on and protect their son and a son recognizing his unique identity and accepting the mission entrusted to him. After Jesus asserts his fidelity to his heavenly Father, the evangelist notes that Jesus “returned home to Nazareth and was obedient to them.†“Obedience†means to “listen.†Listening (with all the yelling that can take place) happens in the family. Listening attentively means we are not trying to come back with an immediate response. We need time to take things in like Mary and Joseph trying to absorb the deeper meaning of their son’s words. Likely, they never coming to full comprehension. I wonder how much is said on their 3-day trip home to Nazareth. Do they travel quietly? Families are the place where we come “to ponder things in our hearts†like Mary.
Previous:
Christmas
Next:
Epiphany
