Reflection by Deacon Matt

Feast of the Holy Family:

Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14: Today, on this celebration of the Holy Family, it’s helpful to reflect upon God’s prescription for holy, peaceful and serene family life. Of course, children are expected to obey and honor their parents. Furthermore, adult children are expected to exercise even more valiant patience, if their parents become afflicted with any form of dementia or mental decline. God calls children to be kind, considerate and respectful of their parents. Rewards are promised to the dutiful son or daughter who lives out these commands from God.
Not all parents interact with their children in ways that are honorable and/or respectful of their sons and daughters. Parents need to lead by example. We show our children the way to treat us, by the ways we behave towards others. This truism bears serious reflection!

Psalm 128: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.” Those who are reverent to God and obedient to God’s Commands enjoy positive consequences. Their relationships are more tranquil and their lives are less stressful. The obedient person who conforms her or his life to fulfilling God’s Will enjoy a level of serenity that disobedient and sinful people will never experience until they convert and change their behavior.

Personal goodness and sanctity generate orderliness, peace and an inner joy that cannot be experienced by those who turn away from God. There’s no promise that obedient servants of God won’t suffer from injustice and abuse in this life; but they are promised that they will dwell, forever in the Presence of God in Paradise. Descriptions of the Heavenly Kingdom in Scripture are convincing that living the devout Christian life on earth will be rewarded richly in the Heavenly Kingdom!

Colossians 3:12-21: St. Paul adds some suggestions to govern our behavior as the Holy Family achieved and maintained. Once again, reflect on the fact that Mary and Joseph led by example; demonstrating great reverence to God, adherence to God’s Will and willingness to sacrifice for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

St. Paul encourages us to practice demonstrating heartfelt compassion and kindness toward others; beginning with our own families. We’re to be humble, gentle and patient in our interactions with others. Our living out God’s Command to be loving, forgiving and generous toward others will help us to grow in wisdom, holiness and joy that can only be gained through practice of obedience to and conformity with God’s Will.

Luke 2:41-52: Ponder this scenario of Mary’s and Joseph’s setting a good example for Jesus. They are humbly obeying God’s Command that they and their people participate in the Passover Feast in Jerusalem; despite the fact that doing so required arduous travel and a significant measure of personal sacrifice of money, time and effort. When it came to obedience to God, Joseph and Mary are models of the good and faithful servant of God!
When Jesus responded to the Father’s prompting to “spend some time in the Father’s house,” Mary and Joseph hadn’t been consulted by Jesus, first. Jesus had to be taught about “family protocol” and the importance of letting parents know of His whereabouts.

Deacon Matt