Reflection for Feast of the Holy Family: Dec. 26, 2021

Reflection for Feast of the Holy Family: Dec. 26, 2021
1 Sam 1:20-22,24-28: To fully appreciate this passage, read what happened before Samuel’s conception and birth and what happens afterward. Hannah had prayed, desperately to God for a child after years of being unable to conceive. She had been mocked and abused by Peninah, Elkanah’s other wife, who had borne him children. This is a story of an ardent petition to God, that is answered favorably. Samuel is born and Hannah fulfills her promise to dedicate him to God’s service in the Temple, right after he is weaned. Read 1 Sam 2:1-11 and join Hannah in her prayer of worship, praise and thanksgiving to God. Then, read Mary’s Magnificat song/prayer of praise in Luke 1:46-56. See the connection between these women; Hannah and Mary, who both rejoiced at how our God can upset the established order, to bring justice and peace. Rejoice!

Psalm 84: 2-3;5-6;9-10: “Blessed are they who dwell in Your house,  O Lord.” This psalm continues our theme of petitioning God and then offering worship and prayers and thanksgiving for prayers answered; in this case for shelter and protection in God’s own house; the holy Temple in Jerusalem… or even, Heaven! Recall that in the first      reading, Hannah was literally offering her greatest treasure; her only son… Samuel… dedicated in service to God. Correspondingly, this psalm extols the meaningfulness and the spiritual joys and benefits of “dwelling in God’s house.” Reflect this week that we “dwell in God’s house” when we live in obedience to God’s laws. Then, we’re truly living as if God is dwelling with us! Only peace and serenity can come from this level of spiritual fidelity and commitment. Let’s make extra effort to live in harmony with God’s Will.

1 John 3:1-2,21-24: This loving passage further embellishes the    invitation to us to dwell in the house of God! By the saving graces of Jesus’ own Sacrifice on the Cross being poured over us, via our     baptism, we have been made fully adopted children of God; to dwell in God’s house… as His very children! Let’s not take this incomprehensible gift for granted. Let’s remember what John said….  “If our hearts do not condemn us…” (that is, if we are obedient to God and conform ourselves to God’s Will,) we can be totally confident in God’s protection and provision for us; in an environment of peace, tranquility and unsurpassed happiness, joy and love. Let’s take some time this week to contemplate that!

Luke 2:41-52: Today’s Gospel gives us a window on a holy family… the Holy Family… living in obedience to God’s Law and making a    pilgrimage to Jerusalem. They were going to the Temple (God’s house,) to celebrate Passover. They are a great model for us of the importance of worshiping God as a family. They also model that even the perfect family can have communication “glitches.” The scare for Mary and Joseph must have been horrible! Nevertheless, we find  Jesus in the Temple… God’s house, where He had quite naturally felt at home… and wherein He stayed, (perfectly at home), when His earthly parents left; each thinking He’d journeyed with the other parent. The picture of Jesus at twelve years old that we are given shows Him already to be beyond His years in insight and inquisitiveness about the Law. Imagine the wisdom of Jesus’ heart and mind… as Jesus, at His core, is pure love… the refulgence of wisdom… the Light that penetrates all with its purity and grace! Contemplate listening to the questions and answers that day! 

Lovingly,
Deacon Matt