Reflections on the readings for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (December 27, 2020): SIR 3:2-6,12-14; PS 128:1-2,3,4-5; COL 3:12-21; LK 2:22-40
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
To serve God means to put ourselves into His hands and allow Him to have His way with us. It means devotion and loyalty no matter what God asks because His way is always guided by love. Mary and Joseph had already shown that in their responses to God’s angelic messenger and their journey to Bethlehem.
On this first Sunday after Christmas, we venerate the Son of God as the core of the Holy Family. The Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus’ presentation at the temple. After the birth of Christ, we see Him taken by His mother Mary and foster father Joseph to fulfill their religious obligations. “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord” (Luke 2:22-23). We have already heard about the virtuous characters of Mary and Joseph. Now we see this demonstrated by adherence to all that is required of them as faithful Jews. Not only are they doing what the law asks of them, but also starting the Holy Infant on His path in serving the Father throughout His earthly life.
We are introduced to two more people who are dedicated to the will of Almighty God: Anna, the prophetess, and Simeon, who is described as having the Holy Spirit upon him. Indeed, he has been promised the incredible gift of actually seeing the Messiah before he dies. Simeon tells the Holy Family that the Baby Jesus will be both a light for the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. But he also counsels them that Jesus’ life will also mean suffering and sorrow – not only for Him, but also for many others including His mother. To serve God means to put ourselves into His hands and allow Him to have His way with us. It means devotion and loyalty no matter what God asks because His way is always guided by love. Mary and Joseph had already shown that in their responses to God’s angelic messenger and their journey to Bethlehem. Soon they would leave everything behind in order to seek refuge in Egypt. All that Mary and Joseph ever did was focused on protecting, providing for, and raising Jesus with the magnificent affection and passion in their hearts. Let us imitate their single-hearted attention to our Savior. Let us, too, serve Him with love all our days and make our own homes places where His message and mercy are made welcome.