THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH
27 DECEMBER 2015
At
the beginning of his novel, Anna Karenina,
Leo Tolstoy writes, “all happy families are alike; each unhappy family is
unhappy in its own way.” As the novel
progresses, Tolstoy makes it clear that it is not peace and tranquility that
makes a family, but adversity, struggle, and suffering. These inevitable challenges are what make
families unique, strong, and interesting.
Children learn from these experiences, and we become who we are through our
families.
As we
gather today to reflect further on the Mystery of the Lord Jesus taking on
human flesh and dwelling in our midst, we are given the example of the Holy
Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. There
is no way we can compete with that family!
The mother never sinned, the stepfather trusted the angel’s word that
the child was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the child is
God himself! But in one very important
way, our families can identify with that family in the way all families have to
face adversities, struggles, and sufferings.
The Gospels
tell us very little about their family life.
But, the Gospel passages assigned to this Feast every years provide some
hints. In Cycle A, Saint Matthew tells
us that they had to escape the murderous plotting of Herod and become
immigrants in a foreign land, where their ancestors had been slaves. In Cycle B, Saint Luke reports the
presentation of Jesus in the Temple, with Simeon blessing the child and telling
his mother her heart would be pierced by many swords of sorrow. In this year’s Cycle C, Saint Luke tells the
story of Joseph and Mary frantically searching for their son. Once they become aware that he was not with
the other one, they rush back to Jerusalem.
After three frantic days of searching, they finally find him answering
questions and teaching in the Temple.
Like so many pre-teens, he must have gotten so caught up that he did not
bother to let them know where he is. How
many of you parents have been exasperated because your child did not call you
and were mystified by the response: “I
knew where I was!”? Neither Mary nor
Joseph understands what Jesus is talking about.
But they ponder his answer in their hearts. In time, Mary will connect his place in the
Temple with the destruction of his own body and its being raised in three days.
In response, Jesus goes home to Nazareth with them, is obedient to them, and
grows in age and wisdom.
All of us
can tell stories of the adversities, struggles, and sufferings we have endured
as families. In celebrating our faith
that the Lord Jesus truly dwells in the midst of our families, we can take new
courage in knowing that these things can actually contribute to making our
families holy. Saint Paul tells us how
to improve our families now. He reminds
us that we emerged from the waters of Baptism clothed with the white garment
signifying our oneness with Christ. The
patterns of our family structure may not be the same as family structures in
Colossae during the first century. But,
we can put on the garments of heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience. Wearing these
garments, we can bear with one another and forgive each other. We can put on love, knowing that the garment
of love is not woven from warm emotions, but from hard and persistent work to
put the good of others ahead of our own.
I have
enjoyed a great Christmas with my family.
They love the new rectory and have done everything possible to bring
chaos and life to it. In gathering as a
family, we remembered those members of our family who have been called home to
God. We ate and drank and played games
and exchanged presents. We also laughed
a lot and expressed a new gratitude for the gift of each other. Carrying this gift of gratitude with us, we
renew our faith that the Light of the Lord Jesus shines in whatever darkness we
will encounter next year. He dwells in
our midst.
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