Our Sunday Reflections

CLICK HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of
December 29th, 2019.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 

CLICK HERE for the Readings of December 29th, 2019.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 

The Christmas Season begins Christmas Eve Night and continues through January 12th, 2020.  

Welcome the Light into your Life by celebrating the Eucharist!

First Christmas Blessing & Mass, (Infants)
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph  
Sunday, December 29th:  10:30AM

New Year's Eve, Eucharistic Adoration,
Tuesday, December 31st:  7:00AM-7:00PM

New Year's Day Mass,
Solemnity of Mary,Mother of God
Wednesday January 1st:  9:00AM

The Epiphany of the Lord,
Sunday, January 5th: 8:00AM and 10:30AM

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,
Sunday, January 12th: 8:00AM and 10:30AM

Sunday December 29th, 2019.  Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 
 

Joseph rose in the night and took the child and his mother into Egypt. 
Matthew 2: 14 

 
Every time, I come across an image, a picture or carving of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it looks almost perfect.  Artists and craftsmen make sure to portray this family as ‘still’, ‘calm’, beautiful, spotless and holy. In real life however, how many of our families are or can be like this?  Yet we know and believe that Jesus, Mary and Joseph are the Holy family, a model for us all. 

What does it take for us to be a little like them? Might this be the challenge of today’s readings on this feast of the Holy Family? 
 
The writer of Sirach in the first reading , speaks about honor and respect of one’s parents: ‘whoever honors his father atones for sins, when he prays he is heard; he stores up riches  who reveres his mother,…he will have a long life’ ( keep in mind , this is a patriachical society , hence the emphasis of ‘father’ and ‘He’ ) . What makes a whole and holy family in this ancient worldview is the fulfillment of one’s obligations toward others. Children have a filial duty towards their parents and this will bring them blessings and prosperity with God. The point we might take from this is: being family is rooted in ‘a responsibility, an obligation towards others’.
Being family can never be about ‘rights’ or being entitled or personal benefit, but more about serving others. This obligation is most crucial at the most frail state in life. (When he is old, grieve him not, even if his mind fails, be considerate; kindness to a father will not be forgotten). In the hard effort of fulfilling this obligation, we attain holiness and wholeness.
 
Sirach’s worldview, unlike ours today, might not stress or speak to brokenness in family: abuse, power struggles, competition, the challenges of mixed families, divorce, the absent parent, a woman/mother’s role (all our modern day complexities).  But the point still remains, we have an obligation towards others. This makes us ‘family’.
 
Joseph is again the key subject of today’s gospel. Twice he must rise in the night.  First, to flee to Egypt (Herod is searching to destroy the Child), then again he rises and brings the Child back to the Land of Israel. Even he doesn’t feel it is safe and he must withdraw to Galilee, to the town of Nazareth.  Joseph never relents on his obligation, challenging as it was. He must protect his family.  He will do so, listening attentively to God’s will.  
Again, it is about fulfilling a responsibility towards others.
 
What then is our challenge? What will make us, our families or societies, communities; nations live a little like the holy family? 

Rise!!  ‘Rise in the night’ to the needs and concerns of others. We must look again at the most basic units of our human family but also the wider community and ask: are we concerned or responsible enough for others? Others who are in a frail or failing state? How responsible have we been? Might this obligation towards the other be what heals society’s big dilemmas of injustice, inequality, and poverty? 
 
Saint Paul says to the Colossians and to us: what we let control our hearts will determine what kind of ‘family’ we are.  He mentions putting on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, forgiving one another and above all, love.  What do you ‘see’ in the world of today?  How about our concern for the elderly, the sick, innocent; did you note the Child Jesus was a refugee in Egypt? 
 
The readings seem to say to us:  Be less self preserving and more self giving.  A true family spirit starts here.
 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us.
 
A Blessed feast day to all families!
Fr. Anthony



CLICK HERE for an understanding of the Christmas Season.

CLICK HERE for additinal information on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.


View the below video for another Sunday Reflection on the readings.