SUNDAY IN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY : 29th December 2024

The Feast of the Holy Family invites us to
understand that God is at work in a socially
“imperfect”family and to imbibe the family’s
faithfulness to their Jewish roots. Joseph and Mary
brought Jesus to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
At 12 years of age, Jesus was also there to perform his
Bar Mitzvah, a coming of age ceremony when a Jewish
boy is officially considered ad adult, thereby becoming
a son of the commandments (mitzvah). The apparent
difference is Jesus’comprehension of the law which
amazes the teachers at the temple courts.

The reaction of Joseph and Mary to Jesus’
disappearance was normal because a lost child in the
great city during a major festival is as big a concern as
it would be today. Their anxiety contrasts with the
calmness of their son who displayed all the normal traits
of a teenager. Although His parents did not understand
His action, Jesus nevertheless submitted to their
authority and grew “in wisdom, in stature and in favour
with God and men.” (v52)

The Holy Family was not hyper-religious nor
socially outstanding in a way that may attract
sensationalism. It is their normality that allows every
family to imitate them to fulfill the roles God has
entrusted them. Mary treasured this as a holy humane
eperience of the family. For God calls and graces every
family to become holy and none is outside this call.

Dear Lord, You have placed everyone in a family, 
may each role in the family be appreciated deeply.