Feast of the Holy Family

12-29-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Throughout the Infancy Narrative, we hear almost nothing about what Jesus did or said. Most of the time, we learn something about Him from the actions and words of other people and the events in the narrative. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel revealed Jesus as the Son of God (Lk. 1:35). At His baptism, a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved SON with whom I am well pleased" (Lk. 3:22). In v.49, Jesus refers to God as His Father. The finding at the Temple is the only glimpse we have of His childhood. About the mystery of His total consecration to the mission that flows from His divine Sonship. (CCC, 534)

In Dt. 16:16, "Three times a year, all your males shall appear before the LORD, your God, in the place which he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths." The Feast of the Unleavened Bread and the Passover constitute one event when all male Jews come to the Temple with their whole family. They travel in caravans, the men in one group, the women in another group, while the children can go in either group. At stops, the families meet again; Mary and Joseph at this stop realize that Jesus was not with the caravan and stayed behind.

Going back, they found Jesus listening and interacting with the elders, asking them questions. How could their son engage in a question-and-answer discussion? But their worries overwhelmed their wonder at how Jesus was teaching and discussing Scriptures with them, and all there were amazed at His understanding (v.47). Because Jesus is not an ordinary child, He is the Son of God, and He grew in consciousness knowing this.

v. 49 "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?" St. Ambrose explains this verse by saying that Jesus did not scold His parents for searching for their Son; Jesus’ words intend to make them raise the eyes of their souls to see what is due to the One whose Eternal Son he is. (Expositio Evangelii Secundum Lucam, ad loc.)

Let us reflect on the two aspects of this feast. First, learn from the Holy Family how to live our own family life. Please remember that the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is a model for us, and every family is a school of life. Second, we are all called more deeply into the truth that we are all God’s children and members of His family.

What runs in our family? Are we a praying family, a laughing family, a feasting-eating family, a partying family, or a dysfunctional family? How we care for our children leaves a lasting mark on our family from generation to generation. To imitate the Holy Family, our families must learn to love more, forgive more, embrace more, love more intensely, and leave the rest in God’s hands. A Holy Family: Loves God, loves others, and loves one another.

Today, we also remember our parents, their love and sacrifices, and the many times they went out of their way to seek and reach out to us. And for PARENTS: please remember that you don’t own your children. They belong to God more than us. They have a mission we should not hinder or stifle. We are partners of God in rearing and forming every child according to His will and plan.