Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

Just yesterday we came to this holy place to celebrate our Lord’s birth. Today we return to expand that celebration to his immediate family, the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph cared for their son, raising him in the religious traditions of their faith. In this loving environment, Luke says, “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” Let us pray today that our families may provide fertile ground for our children to grow similarly.
 

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

We are treated to some poignant words about families in today’s readings. Sirach speaks to an adult child taking care of an aging parent whose mind may be failing. Paul asks us to “put on” kindness and patience so that we may bear with one another and forgive each other. No doubt the Blessed Mother was quite anxious when Jesus stayed behind in his “Father’s house,” but she treasured this memory in her heart. May the words we hear today help us appreciate our own family relationships.
 

Reflections

• Today we hear the only Gospel story in which Jesus is neither an infant nor an adult. Just twelve, Jesus stays behind in the temple as his parents and fam- ily return to Nazareth. Parents can well imagine the feeling of growing frantic with worry over a missing child. Adolescents can easily relate to parents not understanding something that seems perfectly obvious. If even the Son of God, who astounds the teachers in the temple with his understanding, continues to advance in wisdom as he advanced in age, so much more so can we expect that both parents and teens will continue to advance in understanding and wisdom themselves. Let us ask God for heartfelt patience and kindness as we bear with one another through misunderstandings and anxiety.
 

Question of the Week

How can I apply the lessons from scripture to the various families I belong to: my immediate family, my extended family, my parish family, my family at school or work, the entire human family?

-from Pastoral Patterns

LEARN MORE about the significance of the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph