By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ –
Feast of The Holy Family – Cycle B – December 27, 2020
Readings: Sir 3:2-6,12-14; Col 3:12-21; Mt 2:22-40
Prologue: In continuation with the abovementioned theme, we can put the spotlight on the three members of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, Joseph—who are obedient to God’s Law/Word, live their lives according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
“And the child’s [Jesus’] father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him” (Lk 2:33)
Three Signposts from Scripture:
- The first reading from Sirach stresses the fact that the basic unit of social life is the family, which also ensures the perpetuation of the human race. This passage focuses on upholding the fifth commandment: “Honour your father and your mother” (Ex 20:12), which carries a promise: “so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” The idea of the keeping of the commandments as an atonement for one’s sins (vv.3,14) is prevalent in later Judaism. It could loosely be said that caring for one’s parents in their old age makes up for many other sins. Those who care for their aged parents experience blessedness not only as some external gift but in the very process of being caring and compassionate towards their family members most in need.
- The second reading contains ethical exhortations to be followed for ensuring a fruitful family life. First, there is a list of virtues to be ‘put on’ — “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (v. 12) — an echo of the vesting of candidates as they come out of the baptismal waters. Paul adds, “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (v.14). Then, there is a ‘household code’ which lists the duties that members of a family ought to accept and undertake for the smooth running of family and society. Christ is upheld as the model of forgiveness.
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The gospel passage of the presentation of Jesus in the temple can be seen from three perspectives. First, from a doctrinal lens it shows that Christ is fully human and undergoes all the processes which others of his time underwent, too. Thus, his parents take him to the temple to be presented to God and to offer the stipulated sacrifices.
Second, from a familial viewpoint, Jesus grows in his identity and his humanity in the context of a loving, caring family. His mother, Mary and foster-father, Joseph, do everything according to the mandates of the Law and ensure that he is well schooled in the traditions of his ancestors. They “were amazed at what was being said about him” (v.33). The presence and the prophesies of the prophetess Anna and Simeon upon whom “the Holy Spirit rested” (v.25) and to whom “it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (v.26) add to the significance of this Spirit-filled event. Mary is forewarned that her heart will be pierced as she accompanies her son through the ups and downs of his life, mission and death.
Third, there is a prophetic and typological dimension in this passage, for it is said, “The child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him” (v.40). These words are also said of two prophets before Jesus: i.e., Samuel (see 1 Sam 2:26) and John the Baptist (see Lk 1:80). While emerging from the line of prophets, Jesus is the greatest of them all since he is not only messenger but is also the incarnate message: God’s word made flesh. In Mary, Joseph and Jesus, then, we see the unfolding of a wonderful marriage between earth and heaven. In them, on the one hand, we get a glimpse of the workings of the Triune God, model of divine communion, and on the other, they map the pathways of perfection for human families to follow suit.
Three Models for Family Life Today:
Jesus: God’s poor son takes upon himself littleness and frailty, being born at the periphery and submitting to the Law by being presented in the Temple according to Jewish customs and traditions. God’s fullness will emerge and shine from emptiness and self-surrender.
Mary: God’s graced one, receptacle of the Spirit, prepares herself to accompany her son and allow her heart to be pierced by whatever God plans for her, her son and the world. Virginal love has no limits, no conditions and seeks no reward but rejoices in loving.
Joseph: “found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift. In him, we never see frustration but only trust. His patient silence was the prelude to concrete expressions of trust. Our world today needs fathers.” [Pope Francis in Patris Corde, n.7]
Fr. Francis Gonsalves, SJ is the Executive Secretary, CCBI Comm. of Theology & Doctrine and President, Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and former Principal of Vidyajyoti College, Delhi. He is also the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He has authored many books and articles and is a columnist with The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle national dailies.