Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Holy Family of Jesus


Mary and Joseph

Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:
[3]

Note: In Dioceses of the United States all of the options below are available. The readings specific to the B Cycle are Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3, Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9, Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19, and Luke 2:22-40 (or the shorter form - Luke 2:22, 39-40).

Reading 1:
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
He who honors his father atones for sins,
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
He who honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
He who reveres his father will live a long life;
he obeys he obeys the LORD who brings
comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not in the fullness of your strength.
For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
it will serve as a sin offering
--it will take lasting root.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

This reading from Sirach is essentially an exposition of the Commandment to Honor your father and mother. I goes into greater length about the positive benefits that come to the person who does so and does link to early Hebrew belief that the honor received by the father of a house hold was transferred to the children (just as in the omitted verses 8-11, the sins are also transmitted to the children). It should also be noted that while the meaning is not drastically changed, the reading presented above differs significantly from the text used in the Lectionary – see the ALTRE footnote below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or:
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3

Some time after these events,
the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying:
“Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great.”
But Abram said,
“O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”
Abram continued,
“See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir.”
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
“No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir.”
He (the Lord) took Abram outside and said,
“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would;
he did for her as he had promised.
Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time that God had stated.
Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his
whom Sarah bore him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3

Abram was earlier promised the land he now occupies as a possession. In this section we find Abram complaining that he has no heir and therefore all he has will pass to his servant. In response God tells him that he will be given offspring; “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”

God’s physical response is found in the first three verses of Chapter 21 as Sarah, the wife of Abraham is given Isaac, the heir of their union (in the intervening verses, Hanna, Sarah’s servant, bears him Ishmael).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:
[4] Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Psalm 128 is a song of thanksgiving. It begins here with the typical blessings for following and having faith in the Lord. This selection features the blessing a family brings to the faithful using the symbolism of vines and olives so favored by even the Lord.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or:
Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. (7a , 8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

The song of praise we are given today exhorts us to praise the Lord constantly and to remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac. We of course praise him for the new covenant in Jesus, for which the Son of God became the sealing sacrifice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II:
Colossians 3:12-21

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Col 3:12-21

Here we have the rather controversial family hierarchy of the era described by St. Paul. This entire section of the letter is a discourse on harmony within the family of Christ. It is important to note the instruction given in the first part of this reading. Paul describes the Christian rules for relationships; “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another”.

When the subordinated relationships are described below, equality in membership in the family is established.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or:
Colossians 3:12-17

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Col 3:12-17

This option omits the hierarchical relationship descriptions. Its focus remains consistent, however, driving the Pauline ideals of harmony and unity within the Christian Family.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or:
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
--and Sarah herself was sterile--
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer
his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

This reading from the Hebrews provides an example of faith from God’s relationship with mankind, Abraham and his miraculous role as father of nations. All his descendents never saw the promise of the resurrection – but died in faith and so have been invited to share. The passage concludes with the example of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac and his consequent understanding that God was able to raise those asleep in death.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel:
Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
They took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
“Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.”
and to offer the sacrifice of
"a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,"
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
[5]

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Lk 2:22-40

St. Luke begins the account of the Lord’s presentation reminding us that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, followed Mosaic Law by observing the Rite of Purification which by tradition was required of any member of the community who had come in contact with the “Mystery”, life and death, the birth of a child or the burial of the dead.

At the Temple in Jerusalem they encounter two prophetic figures Simeon and Anna. Both of these figures proclaim that the Messiah is come in the person of the Lord. We also hear from Simeon an image of the Lord’s passion and how a sword of sorrow will pierce the Holy Mother’s heart.

Simeon’s prediction, a man who “was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel”. was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not pass away until he had seen the Messiah. He has declared that this promise has been fulfilled and then turns to Mary and makes the prediction about the nature of Christ’s ministry and the nature of the sorrow she will endure.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or:
Luke 2:22, 39-40

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
they took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on
Lk 2:22, 39-40

St. Luke’s account of Jesus being presented at the Temple provides a unique insight into the Holy Family. They are faithful observes of the Law of Moses. “Their purification: syntactically, their must refer to Mary and Joseph, even though the Mosaic law never mentions the purification of the husband. Recognizing the problem, some Western scribes have altered the text to read "his purification," understanding the presentation of Jesus in the temple as a form of purification; the Vulgate version has a Latin form that could be either "his" or "her." According to the Mosaic law (
Lev 12:2-8), the woman who gives birth to a boy is unable for forty days to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple area by reason of her legal impurity.”[6] In addition to this description we see that Jesus was returned to Nazareth to grow in stature

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:

With the broad spectrum of scripture provided today we look for a common thread passing through it to guide our own understanding of what this feast should represent for us. We see the continuity of God’s plan that began in Genesis with Abraham and his promised family passing through the time of King David and the songs composed honoring Abraham’s faithfulness to his covenant with God. With that covenant, St. Paul says to the Hebrews, God’s family spread to be finally adopted in Christ.

In the Gospel of St. Luke the importance of stressing faith values in the family is expressed as we find Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Christ to the Temple as prescribed by Mosaic Law. Even in this act the savior is identified – the incarnate word made flesh is recognized by those under the influence of the Holy Spirit – in a sense; God recognizes his own essence in the child who is the Messiah.

What is significant for us to recognize is that even in the case of the unique Christ Child, the family creating an environment of holiness was important to relate. Jesus, an infant who was at once God came from Mary’s pristine womb into a family that guarded and nurtured the infant. They seek God’s help and protection and are guided by faith. The Holy Family is truly an example all families should follow.

Today, within the joy of this season when families are brought together by faith in God and faith in each other, we look at the crèche and see there Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We see the love of God and love of family and are moved once more to embrace the example of familial love they exemplify, pledging ourselves to do as they have done, establishing God’s presence in their families as a bond. It is so hard to do. With great love comes great power over those who love us and are loved by us. It is so easy to take them for granted or see unintended hurt in what they say or do.

Let us pray this day (and each day) that the Holy Family may guide our families as we strive to keep Christ in our midst.

Pax

[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used today is “The Holy Family with Angels” by Harmenszoon van Rijn Rembrant
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved
[5] v. 24 is omitted from the published text at USCCB but is contained in the Lectionary for Mass.
[6] See NAB Footnote on Lk 2:22

No comments: