28.12.2003 Holy Family Sunday
First Reading: I Samuel 1, 20-22,24-28
Psalm 83
Second Reading: 1 John 3, 1-2,21-24
Gospel Reading: Luke 2, 41-52
The first Reading and the Gospel Reading take us to the Temple. In the episodes
described in both readings, it is a mother who opens her heart and speaks.
Anna wants to go and offer sacrifice only after the baby Samuel, who was the
fulfilment of her prayers, had been weaned. Her sacrifice was her son himself,
whom she had consecrated to the Lord and whom she would then leave in the Temple
to serve God! In doing this she shows that she was not trying to possess him
or dominate him, but to give him to God. The child was a gift from God and she,
the mother wished to give him to the Lord in recognition of the fact that her
prayer had been heard.
Mary and Joseph, as was tradition, went to the Temple every year at Easter.
Their hearts belonged to God and they gave themselves truly to Him: with their
pilgrimage they renewed their promise to Him. It was Easter and this time their
pilgrimage would reflect something of the future Easter, the loss of their son
for three days. Already able to take his own decisions, their son remains at
the Temple, where the word of God is listened to and meanings discussed. Perhaps
he thought that his parents had brought him to the Temple to leave him there,
as was the case with Samuel? He wishes to be about his Father's business as
he had learnt from his parents: does this not mean to stop and listen and search
thoroughly the Word of God? His parents looked for him in anguish. They hunted
for him in tears for three days, just as the disciples were to weep for three
days when Jesus was missing in the tomb. His parents' sufferings were a prelude
for that of the disciples. They suffered, not because Jesus had remained in
the Temple, but because they did not know where he was. They were, of course,
happy that their son loved the Word of God. They had gone to the temple and
taken him with them to manifest and strengthen their love and his love for God
and to reconfirm their loyalty to the people of Israel.
This Sunday is called Holy Family Sunday: we can look at this scene and find
consolation or stimulus for our families. Is there a message in Jesus' decision
for our young people? Can Mary and Joseph's desperate search for Jesus console
today's parents, or give them some idea as to how to treat their children differently?
Can Jesus relationship with Mary and Joseph be of help in creating new relationships
within the family? It is good to see that at the age of twelve Jesus could make
his own decisions and make them in order to listen to God and find greater understanding
of His Word. This decision of the boy Jesus encourages us not to waste time
in trivialities. His reply can help parents to trust their children when they
make courageous choices regarding their faith. Their maturity can be measured
by the choices they make, not by their age! Children belong first of all to
God, and He may call them to give their lives to Him! In doing so, they find
fullness, profound joy, fulfilment. "Did you not know that I must be in
my Father's house?" Jesus thought it was obvious for all what he was doing!
But then he returned with his parents to Nazareth and obeyed them in all things.
To do his Father's will meant to do what Mary and Joseph asked of him. In this
way he expresses his love for God the Father and loving his earthly mother and
father he demonstrates the commandment he would later give his disciples. We
are reminded of this commandment by St John in the verse that we read today
from his letter.
Love one another is the secret for stability and joy in every family. To say
that we must love each other is not enough, however. Who is able to? Whoever
believes in Jesus Christ is able to live this "commandment"! Parents
who believe in Jesus are able to love each other and cultivate a true and freeing
love towards their children. Children who believe in Jesus know how to love
their brothers and sisters in serenity, free of envy, jealousy and selfishness.
Children who believe in Jesus know how to respect and honour their parents,
to look after them when the need arises. Families who believe in Jesus grow
in unity, are open and able to help others. Let us always look at the family
from Nazareth, where Jesus is at the centre. This will keep our minds on the
presence of God and able to bring His love to the earth. When we are His servants,
like Samuel and like Jesus, we are true to ourselves, happy and useful to the
world!