Catechism Links[1]
CCC 531-534: the Holy Family
CCC 1655-1658, 2204-2206: the Christian family, a domestic Church
CCC 2214-2233: duties of family members
CCC 333, 530: the Flight into Egypt
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| “The Holy Family” by Claudio Coello, ~1685 |
Commentary:
When a Sunday does not occur between December 25 and January 1, this feast is celebrated on December 30 with only one reading before the Gospel.
Reading 1: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
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. It goes into greater length about the positive benefits that come to the person who does so. It is also consistent with the early Hebrew belief that the honor received by the father of a household was transferred to the children (just as in the omitted verses 8-11, the sins are also transmitted to the children).
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Commentary on Col 3:12-21
St. Paul exhorts the Colossians with a litany of positive attitudes that culminate in the cardinal axiom of the faith: “love one another.” He goes on to implore them to let the peace of Christ control their every action and to praise God constantly through Jesus, God’s only Son.
The passage describes the rather controversial family hierarchy of the era portrayed 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 in the verses following, equality in membership in the family is established.
CCC: Col 3:14 815, 1827, 1844; Col 3:16-17 1156, 2633; Col 3:16 2641; Col 3:18-21 2204; Col 3:20 2217; Col 3:21 2286
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Commentary on Col 3:12-17
This shorter option omits the hierarchical relationship descriptions. Its focus remains consistent, however, driving the Pauline ideals of harmony and unity within the Christian Family.
CCC: Col 3:14 815, 1827, 1844; Col 3:16-17 1156, 2633; Col 3:16 2641
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. (cf. 1) 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 given to those following and having faith in the Lord. This selection uses the analogy of the family and the blessing it brings to the faithful, using the symbolism of vines and olives, imagery commonly used in sacred scripture.
It also supports the creation of woman and the marriage theme in Genesis 2:18-25. It is the logical extension of the two becoming one flesh and the children flowing from that union.
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Commentary on Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
The story of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt is provided in St. Matthew’s Gospel. Angelic messengers are sent to keep Jesus from harm, and guide St. 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.) The actions that follow accomplish the task of saving Jesus from Herod. It is also reminiscent of Moses’ flight from Egypt and subsequent return which triggered the salvation event – the Exodus.
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 possibly a confusion with the term “neser.” The 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.
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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 are shattered in a dream. A messenger from God visits Joseph in his dream (This is the second time St. Joseph receives direct guidance in this manner. The first time was when he was reassured about taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:19-21). This time the message is one of alarm. He is told that King Herod wishes to kill Joseph’s ward and son, like the Egyptians from the time of Moses (Exodus 1:22). He was instructed to flee to Egypt until the danger passed.
We can only imagine the alarm this caused 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 not yet uttered a word, offered their life’s blood for the savior of the world (Hosea 11:1).
Nothing is known of the years Joseph and the Holy Family spent in Egypt while waiting for word from the angel to return. There are tales in the Apocryphal Gospels about these early years of Jesus’ life but nothing authoritative. What we can surmise is that these were years 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 the call to holiness. Only one who intensely loved the Father would be chosen to care for 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
In other years on this date: The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture used today is “The Holy Family” by Claudio Coello, ~1685
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