30.12.2007 - The Holy Family; Jesus, Mary
and Joseph - year A
First Reading Ecclesiastes 3,2-6.12-14 Psalm
128 Second Reading Colossians 3,12-21
Gospel Reading Matthew 2,13-15.19-23
The Creed with which we profess our faith every Sunday, is called
the Nicene-Constantinople Symbol: it was written in the Councils of Nicene (325)
and of Constantinople (381). The Bishops of these two Councils worked carefully
to give Christians precise formulations of their faith as opposed to
those ideas that could be misleading. In particular the Nicene Council proclaimed
the divinity of God's Son; that of Constantinople the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
The Creed contains the fundamental truths of our faith which were formulated
from a careful reading of the Holy Scriptures and of the faith of the apostles
and the Christian communities. It is important for a Christian to know the creed:
not just to know it by heart, but to understand the meaning of every sentence
and of every word. Then it will be a real defence against the many beliefs that
today seem possible and, at first sight, attractive truths. It is necessary
to defend oneself, but it is better to know in depth what we believe, the great
love of the Father who sent us Jesus, the love and wisdom of Jesus who promised
and sent us his Holy Spirit! I will try to transmit what I have understood,
without, of course, being able to express all the richness!
The gospel reading offers us a realistic image of Jesus' family in three difficult
moments: they have to flee from Herod and find exile abroad in Egypt, where
a different language is spoken and where there is a different religion. They
return from Egypt as soon as possible, but they cannot stay where they had planned;
it was too dangerous. So they had to make their home in a village that knew
them and tended to judge them and consider them with subtle contempt. What is
very striking and should make us reflect is that Joseph never makes his decisions
on the basis of his own reasoning or feelings, but always waits for confirmation
from on high, a sign from God: this he receives by word or in a dream. Another
reason to reflect is the unity between Mary and Joseph, a unity in which Jesus
lives and grows! There is also the peace and serenity in which Joseph and Mary
live their difficulties and the problems which give them opportunities to show
their obedience to God and their faith in him.
This family, unique in its holiness, is not the consecration of material wellbeing!
It is a family which has to do with poverty and faith in God on a daily basis
and does not compare their lot with that of other families, because their vocation
and their mission is different, new, and to be discovered day by day!
Our families can find great help in contemplating obedience to God and obedience
to each other, the tolerance and patience and willingness of Mary and Joseph
and the Child. And what we cannot find in the Holy Scriptures may the Holy Spirit
tell us in the depths of our hearts. In this light we can also observe the gentleness
and respect between Mary and Joseph, their veneration for the Child, a veneration
which is always alert and careful not to complain, for in every and any situation
God can manifest his will and his plans are to the benefit of all. The Holy
Spirit talks to us of the Holy Family in Ecclesiastes. Mary and Joseph and Jesus
certainly live their relationship according to what was written, with that wisdom
that knows how to unite the love for God with the love, easy or difficult, for
their near and dear.
Even the Apostle Paul proposes the Word of God when exhorting the faithful to
make of their families a place for the manifestation of the kingdom of God:
"The word of Christ lives abundantly amongst you; learn and help each other
with wisdom"! Holding the Word in their hearts, wives will be able to live
in their relationship with their husbands a sacramental love, which reflects
the obedience of the Church to Jesus, and their husbands show in their love
for their wives, the love of Jesus who offers himself for salvation. Even children
and parents can manifest God's love, his goodness and kindness, his patience
and compassion, in their lives together: this is not always easy, even St Paul
recognises this, for the difference in age and education, the difference in
the circles we frequent can give rise to deep misunderstanding. Through observing
Mary and Joseph and Jesus may we learn how to use the sweetness of understanding,
God's love and the gentleness of the Holy Spirit in all our relationships!