[1 Samuel 1:20-22,24-28; Psalm 128; 1John 3:1-2,21-24; Luke 2:41-52]

In the Collect or the Opening Prayer led by our priest just before the readings today we hear the following “O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.” We are asked to model our family life on the Holy Family, but when we look into our Scriptures, at first glance, there appears to be very little to guide us.

In today’s Gospel passage we hear that the Holy Family went on a pilgrimage and, without the knowledge of his parents, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, spending time in the Temple, observing, listening, debating and praying. We can imagine the busyness and the bustle of the journey for it to take a day for Mary and Joseph to realise that Jesus was not travelling with them and another three days to find him in the Temple. If we are to use the Holy Family as a model for our own family, what can we get from this short passage? Firstly, that they went on pilgrimage together, this meant that they prayed together, and that Mary and Joseph took their role as the first teachers of their son seriously. They were bringing Jesus up in the faith. If we, as parents, think back to the Baptism of our children we can recall that we are asked to be the first teachers of our children and also to be the best of teachers for our children.

The next thing to pick up on is that Jesus, as a twelve-year-old was just like other twelve-year-old boys, he was seeking his place in the world, he was pushing the boundaries, he was trying to learn where he fitted in; all of this despite his divinity. Jesus, as a twelve-year-old assumed that his parents would realise where He was and as He knew He was safe. He would have assumed that His parents would think He was safe. This is shown by his questioning of them when they found Him in discussion with the elders.

My third observation from this passage is that Jesus; even though He is the Son of God, was submissive to his parents and lived under their authority; likewise, we are taught from our earliest days to honour our father and our mother. All of this was part of His education and as we know, even when Jesus was under the greatest of stresses; at the time of His Passion; He asked His Father to let this cup pass from him, but still carried out the will of His Father.

The Holy Family is a model of a Domestic Church. The smallest of Communities within the Church living together, loving together, catechising the younger members, teaching them how to grow in Faith and how to build a relationship with God. St John-Paul, said that the Holy Family’s home in Nazareth ‘is an authentic school of the Gospel’ and said it was part of the ‘divine plan to make the family an intimate community of life and love.’ Isn’t it wonderful to think that God has a plan for us and our family?

My final observation is that Mary ‘treasured up all these things in her heart.’ For me this highlights the importance of us as parents recognising significant stages in our children’s lives. Taking time out to think about what we are doing as parents, appreciating and living in the moment. This is something I struggled with when my children lived with me. I try harder now to appreciate and acknowledge the various stages in both my children’s and my Grandchildren’s lives.

Earlier this week Pope Francis opened the Holy Door to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Hope. A jubilee year happens every 25 years and we are encouraged to go on pilgrimage. Wouldn’t it be good if we could look for ways to go on pilgrimage with members of our family in the same way the Holy Family did in our Gospel?

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

The Holy Family

CCC 531-534: the Holy Family
CCC 1655-1658, 2204-2206: the Christian family, a domestic Church
CCC 2214-2233: duties of family members
CCC 534, 583, 2599: the Finding in the Temple
CCC 64, 489, 2578: Hannah and Samuel
CCC 1, 104, 239, 1692, 1709, 2009, 2736: we are God’s children now
CCC 163, 1023, 1161, 2519, 2772: we shall see him face to face and be like him

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • The Basingstoke Winter Night Shelter as it continues to support the homeless in our town.
  • Those struggling financially; that they get the help they need. May they not be too proud to ask for the help which is available for them.
  • Those who support the vulnerable in our communities.
  • As the Jubilee year of Hope begins, we pray for those planning pilgrimages with their family.

Deacon Tony

28th December 2024