Homily Feast of the Holy Family Year B
Homily for
the Feast of the Holy Family Year B
Reading 1:
The author of the Book of Sirach builds upon the Fourth Commandment of God:
Honor your father and mother. The basis
for this command is our relationship with God and our relationship with our
parents, who have been given to us by God.
From the
outset the reading identifies the authority of parents over their children as
coming from God. Thus, whatever honor, obedience and respect we show our
parents is ultimately directed to God himself. With this revered respect and
honor for parents come promises of many blessings: atonement of sins, answered
prayer and blest by one’s own children.
This honor
and respect, comfort and care for parents are especially important when they
are old and dependent. Kindness to parents at this stage of their lives will
not be forgotten.
Why does God
give us this direction and admonition? He knows our human frailty and selfishness.
In today’s society aged parents are considered more of a burden than a
blessing. Some feel that euthanasia should be the norm rather than continual
care.
Today’s reading speak against that
attitude of our culture. Instead, it
reminds us that our elderly parents are still a gift from God and a blessing to
nurture, for one day we too may be in the same position. We should remember the adages of Jesus which
apply here. “What you do the least, you do to me.” “The measure which you
measure will be measure back to you.”
Reading 2: Family life and family values are disintegrating.
Living in the fast lane, trying to provide a better life than our parents had,
being under the pressure gun of society have cause much of this disintegration.
Just as it
takes work to have a successful career, it takes work to have a healthy family
life. Paul gives us a rule of family life, which makes sense if we see
ourselves as God’s chosen ones, called to be holy because we are beloved of
God. Let’s do an examination of conscience using this reading.
How
compassionate are we to one another in the family and to others? Is love the
reason why we do what we do? Does Christ’s peace control our hearts or do we
live in anxiety, anger and non-forgiveness? How thankful are we each day for the many
blessings we receive? Do we build each other up in love? Do we consciously try
to do all in the name of Jesus in love?
This passage
is such a powerful plan of life for each person in the family that it could be
reflected and acted on weekly throughout the coming year.
Gospel: A
child is a gift from God. Mary and Joseph received the child, Jesus, as a
special gift. They were obedient to the word of God and had him circumcised eight
days after his birth and brought him to the Temple to dedicate him to God. Have
you dedicated your child back to God, recognizing the gift they are to you?
What do we
hear in the reading? God reminds Mary and Joseph through the prophetic word of
Simeon that because this child is the Messiah of God, he will be a sign of
contradiction and a stumbling block to others. He will suffer. At the same time, even though Mary is the
blessed among women and highly favored daughter of God, she too will suffer. A
sword shall pierce her heart. But know that God’s plan will be accomplished
through obedience to his will both by the Jesus and by Mary.
Mary and
Joseph’s suffering would soon begin. They will have to flee from Herod’s
attempt to kill this child. They will again experience the suffering of anxiety
when Jesus remains in the Temple at the age of 12. Mary’s ultimate suffering
will occur as she stands under the cross and endure the cruel death of her son
at the hands of those he saves.
Every family
experiences their own sufferings. Children make decisions which in turn become
a sword in the hearts of their parents. Parents suffer with and because of
their children. That which sustained Joseph and Mary, namely, relationship with
God in obedience, will sustain today’s family in those moments as well.
Just as God
did not prevent Joseph and Mary from their difficult experiences but was with
them, so God will not prevent today’s families from the unexpected struggles,
but will be with them, giving them the grace to do his will.
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