The first Sunday of the Christmas season is always dedicated to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Having just celebrated the birth of Jesus, nothing could be more fitting than to give special recognition to the family this moment created.
The Word for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Mathew 2:13-15, 19-23
Our first reading comes from the Wisdom of Ben Sira, which we also know as the Book of Sirach. This ancient catechism comes from a Jewish sage from Jerusalem at about 175 BCE (and later translated into Greek by his son around 117 BCE). Our passage fittingly comes from the chapter reflecting on our responsibilities to our parents. Our 4th Commandment reminds us to “honor your father and your mother.” This Commandment, along with other requirements under the Mosaic Law code, provides for special consideration for one’s parents. Family was the social and economic engine that drove the ancient world. As it was the parent’s job to care for children, it was understood that come the time, it was the children’s job to care for their parents. This responsibility isn’t lost on Ben Sira’s catechism as he reminds us, in the spirit of the Commandments and the Mosaic Law, of the special treatment and honor owed to one’s parents. Our Psalm reflects the importance of this teaching as we sing, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” In other words, those who follow this important teaching will find favor with God.
Our second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. This week’s passage has Paul describing how we need to treat one another. In this case, he doesn’t specifically state how children or parents should act toward one another, but how everyone, “God’s chosen ones,” are expected to treat each other, using Christ as the example. If you read the long form of this reading, we come across the passage that reads, “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.” The short form excludes this part and is most likely the form you will hear at most Masses. The controversy of this language is not without consideration, but it can also derail us from the spirit of the message that is important to this celebration – that we owe it to one another to treat each other as Christ would treat us.
Our Gospel from Matthew give us a story that is unique to Matthew’s gospel, where we have the Holy Family going into exile in Egypt until King Harrod has died. There are two important elements to this story: First, of the resilience of the family unit to care for one another, and second, the importance of listening to and following the Lord. Also typical of Matthew, he sees all these actions as revealing the truth of the ancient prophecies, further acknowledging that this child is the expected messiah.
Final thoughts:
The addition of a child changes the nature of a family. It’s a fact. Whether it’s a first child or any subsequent children, the family is forever changed by the addition of this new soul. Everything changes because now there is a whole new person who isn’t just added to the group, but is dependent on the group for life itself. Those who have had children understand this. Those who have experienced the addition of a younger sibling understand this to a certain extent. Though the understanding and function of “family” has been evolving rapidly since the end of World War II, it still remains the basic social and economic unit of society. When a family is formed it’s no longer just “me,” but it becomes “us.” So it seems only fitting that we celebrate the Holy Family as a family unit, all three of them offering their special gifts to each other.
The Word for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Mathew 2:13-15, 19-23
Our first reading comes from the Wisdom of Ben Sira, which we also know as the Book of Sirach. This ancient catechism comes from a Jewish sage from Jerusalem at about 175 BCE (and later translated into Greek by his son around 117 BCE). Our passage fittingly comes from the chapter reflecting on our responsibilities to our parents. Our 4th Commandment reminds us to “honor your father and your mother.” This Commandment, along with other requirements under the Mosaic Law code, provides for special consideration for one’s parents. Family was the social and economic engine that drove the ancient world. As it was the parent’s job to care for children, it was understood that come the time, it was the children’s job to care for their parents. This responsibility isn’t lost on Ben Sira’s catechism as he reminds us, in the spirit of the Commandments and the Mosaic Law, of the special treatment and honor owed to one’s parents. Our Psalm reflects the importance of this teaching as we sing, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” In other words, those who follow this important teaching will find favor with God.
Our second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. This week’s passage has Paul describing how we need to treat one another. In this case, he doesn’t specifically state how children or parents should act toward one another, but how everyone, “God’s chosen ones,” are expected to treat each other, using Christ as the example. If you read the long form of this reading, we come across the passage that reads, “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.” The short form excludes this part and is most likely the form you will hear at most Masses. The controversy of this language is not without consideration, but it can also derail us from the spirit of the message that is important to this celebration – that we owe it to one another to treat each other as Christ would treat us.
Our Gospel from Matthew give us a story that is unique to Matthew’s gospel, where we have the Holy Family going into exile in Egypt until King Harrod has died. There are two important elements to this story: First, of the resilience of the family unit to care for one another, and second, the importance of listening to and following the Lord. Also typical of Matthew, he sees all these actions as revealing the truth of the ancient prophecies, further acknowledging that this child is the expected messiah.
Final thoughts:
The addition of a child changes the nature of a family. It’s a fact. Whether it’s a first child or any subsequent children, the family is forever changed by the addition of this new soul. Everything changes because now there is a whole new person who isn’t just added to the group, but is dependent on the group for life itself. Those who have had children understand this. Those who have experienced the addition of a younger sibling understand this to a certain extent. Though the understanding and function of “family” has been evolving rapidly since the end of World War II, it still remains the basic social and economic unit of society. When a family is formed it’s no longer just “me,” but it becomes “us.” So it seems only fitting that we celebrate the Holy Family as a family unit, all three of them offering their special gifts to each other.
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