Breaking Open the Word
December 28
Introduction
Readings:
Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-5
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-27
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Introduction
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The first reading reminds us of the fourth of the Ten Commandments: Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you. Significantly, it is the only one of the Ten Commandments associated with a promised blessing for obedience. He tells us that our signs of honor and respect toward our parents are promised blessings beyond a good earthly life.
So important is one's conduct towards parents that God promises that He will always hear the prayers of an obedient and caring child, and acts of kindness towards one's parents have the power to atone for sins. Even for those who sadly had a less than ideal parent, or even worse a bad parent, they can still respect the 4th commandment by living a holy life of good virtue and character, to atone for the sins of the parent and to honor God by rising above the difficulty and to try to be a model parent themselves.
Note in the last part of this passage, of taking care of your father when he is old. When I was young and I would hear this scripture, when my Dad was smart and able and sharp minded, I wondered if my Dad’s mind would fail when he got old. In time he did get dementia, and at times it was hard taking care of him, to still be considerate, and to not revile him. This passage was there to remind me, and even when his mind was so blanked, I still could see in a faint glimmer the same great man. Later we would again experience this with my father-in-law for several years, and we find comfort that to God kindness to a father will not be forgotten.
In the Responsorial Psalm, we see the benefits of those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways, their work will be blessed and favored by God. The wife shall be blessed with wonderful children, the husband will be blessed with prosperity, living in a peaceful home.
In the Second Reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians, he urges them to be images of Christ to one another. He calls upon the Colossian Christians to take on a total transformation in body and soul in imitating Christ. The interior transformation begins with the spiritual conversion starting with their Baptism in which they receive the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit. It is a step that calls for the resolution to renounce sin to lead a life that is in imitation of the life of Christ. That commitment leads to an exterior transformation in dealing with families, friends, and even strangers.
On this feast day of the Holy Family, read again today’s second reading from Colossians 3:12-17, contemplating it in the context of the beautiful marriage relationship of Mary and Joseph.
Gospel Explained
Ponder St. Joseph. Notice how he was such a man of great faith (Matthew 1:19 “he was a righteous man”) that whenever an angel spoke to him he recognized God’s messenger and obeyed. Note that as soon as he received this message they left in the night, such was the urgency.
Mary, woken up in the middle of the night with his message, immediately packed up for the trip and gathered up her tiny infant. Think of the life of young Mary. She had to be a gentle soul, spending many hours in prayer and studying scripture, and obedient to her parents. How her life has changed, first in carrying the mystery of the virginal conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Who believed her? Then there is the visitation to Jerusalem in her first 3 months of pregnancy. Then in her 9th month she must make the 97 mile trip the Bethlehem, and deliver her child in a stable or cave. Now Joseph tells her that the child is in grave danger and they must flee to Egypt in the night. So young to be dealing with all these life situations, but a woman of great faith in God’s plans, and she had a great faith and trust in Joseph too.
There is a great typology in the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt. 1700 years earlier Jacob and his sons left for Egypt for a better life, only later to become slaves for 400 years. Then with the leadership of Moses they returned from Egypt to the land promised by God. But they didn’t stay loyal to God, and in time had to be punished by exile in Babylon. This time, Jesus would return from Egypt and correct the first failure by obeying God’s will.
Like a tree that is cut down, David’s line from his father Jesse was cut off, or so it seemed. Yet like it often happens in a cut down tree with the roots remaining, sometimes a little shoot will appear, and if given the chance will grow back into a great tree again. That is Jesus of the line of David.
Today's Theme
The theme for this Sunday is doing the will of the Father, through the Holy Family.
Mary is called blessed among women and full of grace by the angel Gabriel. What the angel announced to her was not able to be humanly conceived, even to us to this day, that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by a man. Her reply “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to your word.”
Joseph was not Jesus’ natural father, but under Jewish law He was considered his son and, thus, a direct descendent of David like His father. There are no words of Joseph in any of the gospels, but we can form a very good picture of him by his actions. There were four encounters with an angel in his dreams, and he immediately acted on those orders because he was such a holy man, attuned to God’s will. Imagine Joseph’s thoughts when the angel said this Son would “save His people from their sins”, and in the temple at the Presentation, when Simeon prophesied: “this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel.”
Considering the virgin conception, the child’s birth in a stable, the death threat of the infant and the trip to Egypt, we might say (but Joseph did not) “what have I gotten myself into with this woman!” But no, life with the Holy Family was full of goodness and love because these three people were full of goodness and love.
Jesus, though He was God’s son, obeyed His human parents. In the incident of Him staying behind in the temple for 3 days when He was 12, after His parents found him Luke says “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them… And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52).
18 years later, Jesus started to personally invite His first disciples, and they joined Him at a Wedding in Cana. He seemed to not be concerned when His mother discovered an embarrassing problem with the young couple running out of wine. When she asked Jesus to solve the problem He hesitated, seemingly not ready at that time to begin His public ministry, which He knew would ultimately lead to the cross. But when Mary told the servants “do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5) Jesus obeyed her request. His action essentially acknowledged and confirmed His obedience to His mother- “do whatever she tells you.” Finally Jesus, while He was dying on the cross, not wanting His mother to be a widow without a son, gave her His closest apostle John to care for her. Jesus throughout His entire life was constantly oriented to doing the will of the Father. He says “I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the One who sent Me” (John 6:38).
Theme in our Life Today
In the canticle of Mary, she says “My soul magnifies the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” In her great humility she says “He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness”, and proclaims “the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.” Mary is the model of obedience to the will of the Father. She has appeared to people all over the world, and her consistent message is to pray, to honor her Son, and always to do the will of God.
Joseph models unwavering obedience. As peculiar as his situation was, he obeys without complaint. He says not a word. What we do know about him is that his prompt obedience is crucial to God’s plan. He knows nothing except the next step of the journey, but he always takes that step. The Bible is filled with people who failed to do God’s will, but somehow God worked through their failings to achieve His intentions. But not Joseph, he works so perfectly with the Father.
So also is our obedience crucial to God’s plan. We cannot see the fullness of God’s plan for our lives any better than Mary and Joseph could see it for their lives. But we can be assured that our faithfulness will lead to great things too. We will not always be aware of them. Sometimes a seed that we plant in one place will blossom, unseen by us, in another. We may never know how we have changed the world by doing the will of the Father until we are with Him in Heaven. It may not be in our lifetime, and maybe not even be in the ones we leave behind, but maybe generations later. In any event, God will not fail to bless our faithfulness. May we use Jesus, Mary and Joseph as an example in our lives, being attuned to God’s message, and then doing it.
Prepare for Sunday
To Prepare for this Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word, consider the following:
1. Read the Infancy narratives: Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-23, Luke chapters 1 & 2
2. Read some of the infancy prophesies: Isaiah 7:14, Jeremiah 23:5, Micah 5:2
3. Be like Jesus. Be like Mary. Be like Joseph. Listen and do the will of God.
Let us pray:
A Prayer To The Holy Family
JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you.
Amen.