Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke  2,41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover, 
and when he was twelve years old, 
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning, 
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, 
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple, 
sitting in the midst of the teachers, 
listening to them and asking them questions, 
and all who heard him were astounded 
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished, 
and his mother said to him, 
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them; 
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Today, there are so many families going through a crisis, as well as so many families that are being born, so let’s  meditate:

1. Jesus. A child is a blessing and not a mistake. A child brings happiness to the family; the nine months of pregnancy are nine months of hope in a home. This makes me think of those who dream of having a child and can’t; of those who struggle to adopt a child to expand their hearts and battle against so many obstacles. A son or a daughter is sacred. In baby Jesus we see all those who consider themselves a child of God.

2. Mary. In the figure of Mary, we see a humble young woman.  Her humility is such that she always puts herself last, like most mothers do! And they endure so much for the family’s sake. I’m thinking of all those mothers who are even martyrs of their family.

3. Joseph. He is the figure of the generous, hard-working, attentive, and gentle father. 21Imagine the delicacy with which he treated Mary, the respect and love for Jesus. So many men today take care of their family and give up so much for them!  In Joseph we see the figure of brave men who face adversity, who dream and work for their family’s wellbeing. 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may we follow your example and renew our families. Holy Family, pray for us.

Remember that something good is on the way! 

God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.