Book Reviews and More: The Feast of the Holy Family 2018

Saturday, 29 December 2018

The Feast of the Holy Family 2018

The Feast of the Holy Family 2018

The readings for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, note there are alternate readings available for both the first and second readings:

First Reading 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 or Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 84:1-2, 4-5, 8-9, 10 Response 4a
Second Reading 1 John 3: 1-2, 21-24 or Colossians 3:12-21
Gospel Luke 2:41-52

When there are options for the readings I am always interested to find out which will be preached from on Sunday. I have read these readings a few times since Christmas. And I reflect on how busy and hectic this time of year can be. From the second option for the first reading, Sirach 3:2-4, 12-14 two sections really stood out for me:

“The person who honours their father will have joy in their own children, and when they pray they will be heard.”

and

“For kindness to your father will not be forgotten and will be credited to you against your sins – a house raised in justice for you.”

I think about all the people who do not have good relationships with their fathers, or their parents. I think about all the single mom’s I have known over the years. And about the percentage of the prison population that are from fatherless homes. I also think about my own father, and the many kids that have come through his him in foster care. Some who consider themselves lifelong part of the family. They when they go home visit. That have taken our family name. My father’s and step mothers example touched their lives, and they honour them.

From the Second readings we are reminder of our son ship. That we are children of God. Both of these readings remind us of the calling we have, of our relationship with God, and of our need to live that out in our actions.

From 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24

“Beloved, see what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
…
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
…
Whoever obeys his commandments abides in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us. By the spirit that he has given us.”

From Colossians 3:12-21

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.
…
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
…
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.”

Last weekend at mass Father was recounting a story about a visit with an elderly parishioner. The woman over 100 years of age stated that "I wish we had more devotion to Joseph like we did previously.” And also “We really have a wonderful faith as long as we practice it.” And it so hit me when he said those words. Today is one of the days we honour Joseph during the church year. And As Joseph and Mary rejoice when they found Jesus in the temple. So God rejoices when we come home to him. When we honour him, and we practice our faith.

And so I pray for you my readers, that if you are a person of faith, that you live it, and live it well. And if you are not, that you would be open to the truth of Catholicism, of Christianity. And I ask that you pray that my actions live up to my theology. In what I do, and what I choose not to do, in what I say, and what I choose to leave unsaid.

Blessings upon you on this feast of the holy family.