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 529, 583, 695: The Presentation in the Temple
CCC 144-146, 165, 489, 2572, 2676: Abraham and Sarah as models of faith
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“The Holy Family” by Bartolomeo Schedoni, 1610-12
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Commentary:
Reading 1: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Commentary on Sir 3:2-6, 12-14
"Throughout the book each doctrinal passage is followed by a section to do with practical applications, sapiential [wisdom] thoughts on moral conduct, eulogies of virtues and sapiential advice on where to seek things that are truly good, etc. This is the first such section. In it the reader will find an exhortation to prudence in all its various forms."[5]
This selection from Sirach is 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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Or: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
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.”
"A critical juncture in the spiritual journey of Abram. He clings to the Lord's promise of many descendants (13:16) and a land inheritance (12:7; 13:14-15), but he is forced to wrestle with the unsolved problem of childlessness (15:2). As later [below] in 22:1-14, God is giving him an opportunity to be tested and found faithful (1 Mac 2:52) (CCC 2374, 2570)."[6]
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, Hagar, Sarah’s servant, bears him Ishmael). "The birth of Isaac and the banishment of Ishmael: these pivotal events ensure that Isaac alone will inherit the covenant promises made to Abraham (17:21; 21:12)."[7]
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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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R. (7a , 8a) 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.
CCC: Ps 105:3 30
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Reading II: Colossians 3:12-21
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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Commentary on Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
This reading from Hebrews provides an example of faith from God’s relationship with mankind. The author uses Abraham and his miraculous role as father of nations. None of his descendants ever saw the promise of the resurrection – but they died in faith and so have been invited to share that inheritance. 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.
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Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
Commentary on Lk 2:22-40
St. Luke begins the account of the Lord’s presentation recalling 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, the Holy Family encounters two prophetic figures, Simeon and Anna. Both of these figures proclaim that the Messiah has 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, 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. Upon seeing the Lord, he declares that this promise has been fulfilled, and then turns to Mary, making the prediction about the nature of Christ’s ministry and the nature of the sorrow she will endure.
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Or: Luke 2:22, 39-40
Commentary on Lk 2:22, 39-40
In the shorter version of the Gospel, the focus is more on the revelation of the Christ, as opposed to the impact of this revelation on Mary, the Mother of God. St. Luke’s account of Jesus being presented at the Temple provides a unique insight into the Holy Family. They are faithful observers 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 (Leviticus 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.”[8] In addition to this description, we see that Jesus was returned to Nazareth to grow in stature. The passage ends with Canticle of Simeon, having seen the Christ, now being able to go to his final rest fulfilled.
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Reflection:
In the Gospel 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
St. Luke’s story of the Holy Family shows the importance of stressing faith values in the family, 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 (the very first Domestic Church). 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
In other years on December 31st: Optional Memorial for Saint Sylvester I, Pope
[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 Bartolomeo Schedoni, 1610-12
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Wisdom Books”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 399
[6] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Genesis © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp. 37
[7] ibid pp.43
[8] See NAB Footnote on Lk 2:22
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