Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Sirach 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).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
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.
Reading II Colossians 3:12-21
Or Shorter Form Colossians 3:12-17
Here we have the rather controversial family hierarchy of the era described by St. Paul. It is important to note the instruction given in the first part of this reading (note: the option is given to omit this part of scripture passage for pastoral reasons). 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.
Gospel Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
The story of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt is provided in Matthew’s Gospel. Angelic messengers to keep Jesus from harm guide Joseph, the father of Jesus. (The verses 16-18 which are omitted in this reading tell the story of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem whose feast we celebrated on December 28.) In addition to accomplishing the task of saving Jesus from Herod, the flight to Egypt and subsequent return are reminiscent of Moses’ escape and the subsequent Exodus event.
The account also mentions that all that happens is in accordance with what has been prophetically revealed. The first reference, indicating that the Messiah was to be called out of Egypt is a reference to Hosea 11:1. The second reference is less clear as there is no specific Old Testament biblical reference to Nazareth. It is possible a confusion with the term “neser”. Old Testament texts are Isaiah 11:1 where the Davidic king of the future is called "a bud" (neser) that shall blossom from the roots of Jesse, and Judges 13:5, 7 where Samson, the future deliverer of Israel from the Philistines, is called one who shall be consecrated (a nazir) to God.
Reflection:
We continue to celebrate the early events in the life of Jesus during the Christmas season. Today the tranquility of the birth of the Lord and the accompanying rejoicing is shattered in a dream. A messenger from God visits Joseph again in his dream. This time the message is one of alarm. He is told that King Herod wishes to kill his ward and son. Like the Palestinians from the time of Moses, he was instructed to flee to Egypt until the danger passed.
We can only imagine the alarm this caused with Mary, the mother of Jesus. There can be no doubt, however, that this devout family listened to the Lord’s instructions and immediately left the area. We also know the threat was real. Shortly after the Holy Family left Bethlehem, Herod’s troops descended upon the town and killed every male baby between birth and two years old. Hosea the prophet had heard the cry of that horrible deed hundreds of years before. Infants, who had yet to utter a word, offered their life’s blood for the savior of the world.
Of the years Joseph and the Holy Family spent in Egypt while waiting for word from the angel to return, nothing is known. There are tales in the Apocryphal Gospels about these early years of Jesus’ life but nothing authoritative. What we can surmise is these were years were a time of great peace for Mary, Joseph and their young son. Their devotion to God was intense, since only one who listens carefully to God may hear with clarity their call to holiness and walk in His peace. Only one who intensely loved the Father would be chosen to protect and nurture the most precious gift ever given. Only one who walked with God daily would hear the messenger who told them it was safe to return.
We rejoice today with the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and Jesus who is the Christ. We rejoice for their years of peace and love, safe in Egypt. We thank God for calling them back to Nazareth so the young Jesus would grow to manhood and fulfill the rest of his prophesied mission to bring us salvation. Finally we look to the perfect love expressed within the Holy Family and pray that our families may work toward that same unity.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Holy Family” by Claudio Coello, ~1685
Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Sirach 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).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
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.
Reading II Colossians 3:12-21
Or Shorter Form Colossians 3:12-17
Here we have the rather controversial family hierarchy of the era described by St. Paul. It is important to note the instruction given in the first part of this reading (note: the option is given to omit this part of scripture passage for pastoral reasons). 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.
Gospel Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
The story of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt is provided in Matthew’s Gospel. Angelic messengers to keep Jesus from harm guide Joseph, the father of Jesus. (The verses 16-18 which are omitted in this reading tell the story of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem whose feast we celebrated on December 28.) In addition to accomplishing the task of saving Jesus from Herod, the flight to Egypt and subsequent return are reminiscent of Moses’ escape and the subsequent Exodus event.
The account also mentions that all that happens is in accordance with what has been prophetically revealed. The first reference, indicating that the Messiah was to be called out of Egypt is a reference to Hosea 11:1. The second reference is less clear as there is no specific Old Testament biblical reference to Nazareth. It is possible a confusion with the term “neser”. Old Testament texts are Isaiah 11:1 where the Davidic king of the future is called "a bud" (neser) that shall blossom from the roots of Jesse, and Judges 13:5, 7 where Samson, the future deliverer of Israel from the Philistines, is called one who shall be consecrated (a nazir) to God.
Reflection:
We continue to celebrate the early events in the life of Jesus during the Christmas season. Today the tranquility of the birth of the Lord and the accompanying rejoicing is shattered in a dream. A messenger from God visits Joseph again in his dream. This time the message is one of alarm. He is told that King Herod wishes to kill his ward and son. Like the Palestinians from the time of Moses, he was instructed to flee to Egypt until the danger passed.
We can only imagine the alarm this caused with Mary, the mother of Jesus. There can be no doubt, however, that this devout family listened to the Lord’s instructions and immediately left the area. We also know the threat was real. Shortly after the Holy Family left Bethlehem, Herod’s troops descended upon the town and killed every male baby between birth and two years old. Hosea the prophet had heard the cry of that horrible deed hundreds of years before. Infants, who had yet to utter a word, offered their life’s blood for the savior of the world.
Of the years Joseph and the Holy Family spent in Egypt while waiting for word from the angel to return, nothing is known. There are tales in the Apocryphal Gospels about these early years of Jesus’ life but nothing authoritative. What we can surmise is these were years were a time of great peace for Mary, Joseph and their young son. Their devotion to God was intense, since only one who listens carefully to God may hear with clarity their call to holiness and walk in His peace. Only one who intensely loved the Father would be chosen to protect and nurture the most precious gift ever given. Only one who walked with God daily would hear the messenger who told them it was safe to return.
We rejoice today with the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and Jesus who is the Christ. We rejoice for their years of peace and love, safe in Egypt. We thank God for calling them back to Nazareth so the young Jesus would grow to manhood and fulfill the rest of his prophesied mission to bring us salvation. Finally we look to the perfect love expressed within the Holy Family and pray that our families may work toward that same unity.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Holy Family” by Claudio Coello, ~1685
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