Sunday December 27, 2015
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sunday Says
Lectionary: 17
The Sunday in between Christmas and Epiphany is traditionally celebrated in honor of the Holy Family. We continue in the Octave of Christmas.
Reading 1
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
In this week’s first reading, we hear from the wise book of Sirach. Families are the core unit of society, and this reading articulates the importance of a good relationship between a father and his children. Also, the responsibility of children to care for their parents through the end.
In a world with so many broken homes and distant families, we should be called to action to love our families and foster love in the hearts of all around us. This year of Mercy, do what you can to bring back or increase love in your family by forgiving wrongs done against you and others.
Or 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
- (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Or Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10
- (cf. 5a) Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.
Reading 2
Colassians 3:12-21
This week’s second reading is from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians with a beautiful encouragement to all people. We hear that if we surrender our hearts to the Lord, then we will truly be able to put on love in our hearts. Without the newborn baby Jesus, we wouldn’t be able to access this incredible and perfect love.
The end of the reading is specific of how we can be order and peace into our homes by following His commands, but it is no coincidence that the first part of the reading speaks of love and harmony. In our families, we often find difficult moments and struggles that threaten to pull us apart. This Christmas is a new opportunity to love and bring peace to those closest to us. No matter how difficult it may seem, trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He will provides you the love that you need and the mercy required to overcome any obstacle.
Or 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
Alleluia
Colossians 3:15A, 16A
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Gospel
Luke 2:41-52
On the Sunday of the Holy Family we hear one of the few stories of Jesus growing up in the Holy Family. This would be one of the most trying times for the most perfect family in history. As is custom, Joseph, Mary, and young Jesus would take regular pilgrimages to Jerusalem to visit the Temple. It took three days for Joseph and Mary to find the boy Jesus, and it must have been one of the their worst nightmares to lose the Son of God.
Our own lives often feel out of control and our family life can get messy, we can confide in the loving example of the Holy Family. Even when we know Jesus, and have Him close in our lives, things can get crazy. Trust that in the end, the Lord will look at us and simply ask us to Trust in Him.
Merry Christmas
