Feast of the Holy Family Year A
1 Samuel 1:20–22, 24–28 or
Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14
Psalm 84:2–3, 5–6, 9–10
Colossians 3:12–21 or
1 John 3:1–2, 21–24
Luke 2:41–52
Family life is the place where we first taste everything. God has chosen to become part of our life through this reality. The Feast of the Holy Family in the midst of the Christmas octave draws together many aspects that put the meaning of this season into a context easily understandable – truly familiar.
The Eternal Son of God, the Word, became flesh and He dwells among us. In the womb of Mary, He took on our human nature and, along with Mary and Joseph, He experienced all the realities of family life. Joy and sorrow, fear, and despair, all the human emotions that are part of living as a human being are evident in the life that is revealed in Scripture.
The Gospel of Luke shows us a moment in the life of the family of Nazareth that is no doubt very familiar to families with children. Every family has a story about the child who was inadvertently left behind. When this event occurred, it brought out all the emotions. If the child was truly alone, a real trauma could be established. Even if there were other caring persons present, at least some level of fear was there, for the child or for the family members when they discovered the fact that one was missing. All of these are recounted in family tales of the one who was lost and found.
How the Holy Family responds to this situation is enlightening. First, they made it a family affair, searching for Jesus among the relatives. We are part of one family, the family we are born into, and we are at the same time part of a larger family, a clan. Our problems and concerns are shared, even if we are not conscious of this.
Retracing their steps was the next move. Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem. Searching everywhere they had been – where they stayed, among others known to them who were still in town, and finally at the Temple, they showed the perseverance of hope. They found Him among the teachers, engaged in spiritual discourse.
Jesus knew where He was all along. He was never lost. “And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” They did not understand His meaning. Mary chided Jesus, expressing the fear and sorrow that they experienced in the search. But the event was finished. They found Him and life went back to normal.
The end of Luke’s description of the child Jesus, now at the age of Bar Mitzvah, His becoming a “Son of the Law,” simply tells us that the family went back to their home at Nazareth and everything was back in order. “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 advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”
Mary’s pondering heart is the gift of contemplative prayer. Her life with Jesus and Joseph is the source of the mysteries we still contemplate. Scripture, especially Luke’s Gospel, gives us a glimpse into her heart and her memories. The actions Mary and Joseph took to raise Jesus remind us of the importance of our own familial adventures. We are invited to ponder and to relish the gift of family life.
The Holy Family represents humanity accepting God’s call to receive Him into our world. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the first family to respond to the indwelling of the Trinity that is promised to us. “Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.”
As we contemplate the Holy Family, may we open our hearts to the depth of prayer and relationship offered to us. May every family find healing and peace. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!