The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Intention: That, in this Octave of Christmas, our Church will continue to find ways to be the Body of Christ and his Good News to all people and in all places.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 2:41-52
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
From the First Meditation for the Time of Retreat| Saint John Baptist de La Salle
It is characteristic of the providence of God and of his vigilance over human conduct to substitute for fathers and mothers persons who have enough knowledge and zeal to bring children to the knowledge of God and of his mysteries. According to the grace of Jesus Christ, that God has given to them, they are like good architects who give all possible care and attention to lay the foundation of religion and Christian piety in the hearts of these children, a great number of whom would otherwise be abandoned. You, then, whom God has called to this ministry, work according to the grace that has been given to you to instruct by teaching and to exhort by encouraging those who are entrusted to your care, guiding them with attention and vigilance, in order to fulfill toward them the principal duty of fathers and mothers toward their children.
Prayer
Eternal Father, on this day that we remember the Holy Family, may we hold them as a model of how to live together with faith, love and respect. Open our eyes so that we can see that we, too, are one family, sharing this life and this earth as our home. May we live together in peace and justice, ready to love one another and glad to do your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.