The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Lectionary: 17
Lectionary: 17
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying:
"Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great."
But Abram said,
"O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?"
Abram continued,
"See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
"No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir."
The Lord took Abram outside and said,
"Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be."
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would;
he did for her as he had promised.
Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time that God had stated.
Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his
whom Sarah bore him.
"Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great."
But Abram said,
"O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?"
Abram continued,
"See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
"No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir."
The Lord took Abram outside and said,
"Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be."
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would;
he did for her as he had promised.
Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time that God had stated.
Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his
whom Sarah bore him.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. (cf. 1) Blessed
are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
R. (7a , 8a) The
Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Reading 2COL 3:12-21
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Brothers and sisters:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer
his only son,
of whom it was said,
"Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name."
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer
his only son,
of whom it was said,
"Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name."
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
AlleluiaCOL 3:15A, 16A
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 2:22-40
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,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
—and you yourself a sword will pierce—
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
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,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
—and you yourself a sword will pierce—
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
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.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
according to the law of Moses,
they took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
Meditation: "The favor of God was upon him"
Do you know the favor of the Lord? After Jesus' birth,
Mary fulfills the Jewish right of purification after childbirth. Since she
could not afford the customary offering of a lamb, she gives instead two
pigeons as an offering of the poor. This rite, along with circumcision and the
redemption of the first-born point to the fact that children are gifts from
God. Jesus was born in an ordinary home where there were no luxuries. Like all
godly parents, Mary and Joseph raised their son in the fear and wisdom of God.
He, in turn, was obedient to them and grew in wisdom and grace. The Lord's
favor is with those who listen to his word with trust and obedience. Do you
know the joy of submission to God? And do you seek to pass on the faith and to
help the young grow in wisdom and maturity?
The Holy Spirit reveals the presence of the Savior of
the world
What is the significance of Simeon's encounter with the baby Jesus and his mother in the temple? Simeon was a just and devout man who was very much in tune with the Holy Spirit. He believed that the Lord would return to his temple and renew his chosen people. The Holy Spirit also revealed to him that the Messiah and King of Israel would also bring salvation to the Gentile nations. When Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon immediately recognized this humble child of Bethlehem as the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he prophesied that Jesus was to be "a revealing light to the Gentiles". The Holy Spirit reveals the presence of the Lord to those who are receptive and eager to receive him. Do you recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord with you?
What is the significance of Simeon's encounter with the baby Jesus and his mother in the temple? Simeon was a just and devout man who was very much in tune with the Holy Spirit. He believed that the Lord would return to his temple and renew his chosen people. The Holy Spirit also revealed to him that the Messiah and King of Israel would also bring salvation to the Gentile nations. When Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon immediately recognized this humble child of Bethlehem as the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he prophesied that Jesus was to be "a revealing light to the Gentiles". The Holy Spirit reveals the presence of the Lord to those who are receptive and eager to receive him. Do you recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord with you?
The 'new temple' of God's presence in the world
Jesus is the new temple (John 1:14; 2:19-22). In the Old Testament God manifested his presence in the "pillar of cloud" by day and the "pillar of fire" by night as he led them through the wilderness. God's glory visibly came to dwell over the ark and the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). When the first temple was built in Jerusalem God's glory came to rest there (1 Kings 8). After the first temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw God's glory leave it (Ezekiel 10). But God promised one day to fill it with even greater glory (Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 8-9). That promise is fulfilled when the "King of Glory" himself comes to his temple (Psalm 24:7-10; Malachi 3:1). Through Jesus' coming in the flesh and through his saving death, resurrection, and ascension we are made living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Ask the Lord to renew your faith in the indwelling presence of his Spirit within you. And give him thanks and praise for coming to make his home with you.
Jesus is the new temple (John 1:14; 2:19-22). In the Old Testament God manifested his presence in the "pillar of cloud" by day and the "pillar of fire" by night as he led them through the wilderness. God's glory visibly came to dwell over the ark and the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). When the first temple was built in Jerusalem God's glory came to rest there (1 Kings 8). After the first temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw God's glory leave it (Ezekiel 10). But God promised one day to fill it with even greater glory (Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 8-9). That promise is fulfilled when the "King of Glory" himself comes to his temple (Psalm 24:7-10; Malachi 3:1). Through Jesus' coming in the flesh and through his saving death, resurrection, and ascension we are made living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Ask the Lord to renew your faith in the indwelling presence of his Spirit within you. And give him thanks and praise for coming to make his home with you.
Mary receives both a crown of joy and a cross of
sorrow
Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for his sake. There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the Lord. Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. She received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take way. Do you know the peace and joy of a life surrendered to God with faith and trust?
Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for his sake. There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the Lord. Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. She received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take way. Do you know the peace and joy of a life surrendered to God with faith and trust?
The Holy Spirit renews our hope in the promise of God
Simeon was not alone in recognizing the Lord's presence in the temple. Anna, too, was filled with the Holy Spirit. She was found daily in the temple, attending to the Lord in prayer and speaking prophetically to others about God's promise to send a redeemer. Supernatural hope grows with prayer and age! Anna was pre-eminently a woman of great hope and expectation that God would fulfill all his promises. She is a model of godliness to all believers as we advance in age.
Simeon was not alone in recognizing the Lord's presence in the temple. Anna, too, was filled with the Holy Spirit. She was found daily in the temple, attending to the Lord in prayer and speaking prophetically to others about God's promise to send a redeemer. Supernatural hope grows with prayer and age! Anna was pre-eminently a woman of great hope and expectation that God would fulfill all his promises. She is a model of godliness to all believers as we advance in age.
Advancing age and the disappointments of life can
easily make us cynical and hopeless if we do not have our hope rightly placed.
Anna's hope in God and his promises grew with age. She never ceased to worship
God in faith and to pray with hope. Her hope and faith in God's promises fueled
her indomitable zeal and fervor in prayer and service of God's people.
Our hope is anchored in God's everlasting kingdom of
righteousness, peace, and joy
What do you hope for? The hope which God places in our heart is the desire for the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life and happiness with our heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus has won for us a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The Holy Spirit gives hope to all who place their trust in the promises of God. God never fails because his promises are true and he is faithful. The hope which God places within us through the gift of the Spirit enables us to persevere with confident trust in God even in the face of trails, setbacks, and challenges that may come our way.
What do you hope for? The hope which God places in our heart is the desire for the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life and happiness with our heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus has won for us a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The Holy Spirit gives hope to all who place their trust in the promises of God. God never fails because his promises are true and he is faithful. The hope which God places within us through the gift of the Spirit enables us to persevere with confident trust in God even in the face of trails, setbacks, and challenges that may come our way.
Is there anything holding you back from giving God
your unqualified trust and submission to his will for your life? Allow the Lord
Jesus to flood your heart with his peace, joy, and love. And offer to God
everything you have and desire - your life, family, friends, health,
honor, wealth, and future. If you seek his kingdom first he will give you
everything you need to know, love, and serve him now and enjoy him forever.
"Lord Jesus, you are my hope and my life. May I
never cease to place all my trust in you. Fill me with the joy and strength of
the Holy Spirit that I may boldly point others to your saving presence and
words of eternal life."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Christ who was rich became poor, by
Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"For this reason it seems wonderful that the
sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, 'a lamb a year old,' but
the second, since 'she could not afford' (Leviticus 5:7) the first. For as it
was written about her, Jesus' parents came 'to offer a sacrifice' for
him,'according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons."' But this also shows the truth of what
was written, that Jesus Christ 'although he was rich, became a poor man' (2
Corinthians 8:9). Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from
whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, 'But you, O
Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah' (Micah 5:2),
and the rest. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON
LEVITICUS 8.4.3)
Feast of the Holy Family – Cycle B
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
Introduction
The Feast of the Holy Family honors the family group of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This feast developed only in the 17th century. Built on the Gospel accounts, this family is looked upon as an excellent domestic unit representing the ideal family life. To promote family life and build up devotion to the Holy Family, a feast was established for the Universal Church in 1921 (under Pope Benedict XV), and it is currently celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas or on December 30 when Christmas falls on Sunday. There is an optional set of readings for the 1st and 2nd Readings, both are presented here.
1st Reading - Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Israelite wisdom, like the wisdom of other peoples, was the product of the scribal schools and the scribal class; this class first appeared under the monarchy and followed Egyptian models in administration and procedure. Wisdom is gained by counsel and instruction (Proverbs 1:5; 12:15; 13:14; 19:20f), and the young man is frequently admonished to accept instruction. Wisdom comes from association with the wise (Proverbs 13:20). The tradition of wisdom begins with primordial man (Ezekiel 28:12). The wise man accepts correction and instruction (Proverbs 9:8ff; 21:11); he is always learning, where the fool refuses to learn.
Israelite wisdom was modified by its relation to faith in Yahweh, which gives it a character of its own. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia had gods who were venerated for their wisdom, but these gods were specialists. Yahweh alone is truly wise; His wisdom is exhibited in creation (Proverbs 3:19; Job 38- 39).
Wisdom is a treasure which men cannot discover, for it is found only with God, who grants it to men. The wisdom of God is seen not only in His creation but in His management of human history (Job 12:13). Wisdom, while learned from tradition, is ultimately a gift of Yahweh (Proverbs 2:6).
The wisdom literature alone in the Old Testament directs attention explicitly to the problems of the individual person; it is free of peculiarly national traits and of messianism. Its merit is that it does draw attention to the importance of the business of daily life of the man who is not very important, and its emphasis on the fact that life is unity and integrity which must be preserved from the disintegration of folly is not misplaced.
Today we hear Sirach tell us that fidelity to parents (the 4th commandment) is fidelity to Yahweh.
2 For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. 3 He who honors his father atones for sins;
This goes beyond the 4th commandment which promises long life (Exodus 20:12).
4 he stores up riches who reveres his mother. 5 He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. 6 He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother. 12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength. 14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins -- a house raised in justice to you.
This is a commentary on the 4th commandment (Exodus 20:12). Fidelity to this commandment also atones for sins.
Optional 1st Reading - Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
After the fall of our first parents, God announced that a savior would redeem mankind from the power of Satan. One of the first steps toward the fulfillment of this promise was God’s choice of Abram (later renamed Abraham), whose faith would make him the father of a great people. God told Abram “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you” (Genesis 12:1-3). This is a three-fold promise of blessing: 1) Nationhood; 2) Name (which is dynasty or kingdom); and 3) Worldwide blessing. Our reading of today is the actions immediately preceding the formation of a covenant with God concerning the first promise, a covenant which is fulfilled in Moses; the second promise is sealed by covenant in Genesis 17:1-19, a covenant which is fulfilled in David; and the third promise is sealed by covenant in Genesis 22, a covenant which finds fulfillment in Jesus the Christ.
15:1 Some time after these events, this word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”
It was socially and legally acceptable at the time for childless parents to appoint as their heir either an adopted son or the child of a concubine. The name Eliezer means “God his help.”
3 Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.”
God rejects the possibility of adopting Eliezer in order to have an heir and instead states that Abram shall father a son. At this time Abram is about 85 years old and Sari, his wife, is no spring chicken either.
5 He took him outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” 6 Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
This is not salvation by faith alone, Abram has been obedient to God since Genesis 12 when he was told to leave the home of his kinfolk. Abram’s obedience to his faith in God is what merits credit as an act of righteousness. In between where this verse leaves off and where we rejoin the narrative in Chapter 21, Abram sires a son through Sari’s maidservant Hagar (means “flight” or “stranger”) who is also rejected by God, thus rejecting the second possibility of creating an heir through a concubine.
21:1 The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised.
At this point Abraham (Abram’s and Sari’s names were changed in Chapter 17) is 100 years old.
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.
The name Isaac means “laughter.” When Abraham had been told by God a year earlier that he and Sarah would be parents of a son, Sarah laughed (Genesis 18:10-15).
2nd Reading - Colossians 3:12-21
The purpose of Colossians was to bolster the faith of the community and correct errors reported about the church in Colossae. False teachers are at work in the community and since these false teachers are charged with “not holding to the head”, the errors must have arisen within the community. Jewish and pagan elements seem to be interwoven. The Jewish influence is evident in the references to observing suggested days, season, circumcision, and other Jewish practices (Colossians 2:16-17). In some circles of Judaism there was a strong belief in the mediatorship and power of the angels. The Qumran community attached a great deal of importance to the angel’s names and their roles in the affairs of the world.
The pagan influences at work in Colossae are reflected in beliefs that certain “elements of the world” or angelic beings were in control of the universe (Colossians 2:8,20). These “elements of the world” were a series of intermediaries between God and the universe. Each was considered to contain part of the “fullness of the Godhead” (Colossians 1:19; 2:9). They were the cause of creation (Colossians 1:15-17). They also shared control over various areas of the earth and over the destinies of men.
Paul had to counter the dangerous tendencies by pointing out the all-sufficiency of Christ in His role in the universe. He had to point out that the “fullness of the Godhead” was not shared by a multitude of intermediaries: all the fullness of God and His power was in Christ himself (1:19; 2:3,9). By His death on the cross, Christ had won a victory over all the forces that were considered to control the universe. In Old Testament wisdom literature Paul found proof that the whole universe had been created and directed by the wisdom of God from the beginning; now this wisdom had been fully revealed in Christ (Colossians 1:15-20).
In our reading today we hear Paul tell us some of the general principles for a life in Christ.
12 Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
When you were baptized, you clothed yourself in Christ. This is a brief description of that clothing. These terms (chosen, holy, beloved) were also used in the Old Testament to describe Israel. As a baptized Christian they have entered the new Israel, a community of God’s people – their relations to one another should reflect this.
13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
Forgive as you have been forgiven. The petition of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12) may be in Paul’s mind (see Ephesians 4:32).
14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
In verse 12 Paul told us to clothe ourselves in the attributes of Christ. Now we put on love (agape) as the final garment which covers all the others and binds them together. In the Sermon on the Mount, God’s great universal love is the supreme model for man “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
“Now what Paul wishes to say is that there is no benefit in those things, for all those things fall apart, unless they are done with love. This is the love that binds them all together. Whatever good thing it is that you mention, if love be absent, it is nothing, it melts away. The analogy is like a ship; though its rigging be large, yet if it lacks girding ropes, it is of no service. Or it is similar to a house; if there are no tie beams, of what use is the house? Think of a body, Though its bones be large, if it lacks ligaments, the bones cannot support the body. In the same way, whatever good our deeds posses will vanish completely if they lack love.” [Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 400) Homilies on the Epistle to the Colossians 9]
15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.
This is a vivid portrayal of the compact community of brothers in Christ, who is the source of unity, peace and harmony.
And be thankful.
For this one body, this community (common-unity), they must always be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
The presence of Christ in the community will manifest itself by a wise use of words and song to encourage one another.
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
As used here, this points out that even the singing is used for instruction of the community (one another). The instruction is for the whole community – they all have mutual responsibilities.
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Christians must recognize Jesus as Lord both in word and in action. In words, they will show this recognition best when they call upon Him in prayer as Lord. For Paul and the early Church, to say “do it in the name of the Lord” was a way of designating Christians. In the Old Testament “those who call on the name of the Lord: was a designation of sincere and pious Israelites; in the New Testament it is transferred to Christians (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 9:14), and the object of it is Christ. The title once reserved for Yahweh has been transferred to Christ. “No one comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:16).
18 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.
The husband is to be the spiritual head of the household. 1 Peter 3:1-6 expresses this same sentiment where the underlying assumption is that the wife is Christian and the husband is pagan – she is to win him over through Christian obedience. Ephesians 5:22-24 again says the same where the assumption is that both husband and wife are Christian. The root of this teaching is Genesis 3:16 and it is echoed again in 1 Timothy 2:12.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.
This theme is also expanded and expounded in 1 Peter 3:7 and Ephesians 5:25-31. God gave Eve to Adam as his inseparable companion and compliment (Genesis 2:18); she was therefore duty-bound to live in peace and with him. Man and woman have different, although complimentary, roles in family life; they are equal in dignity. The family needs a center of authority, and that authority belongs to the husband, in accordance with God’s design (1 Corinthians 11:3,12-14).
“Observe again that Paul has exhorted husbands and wives to reciprocity. As with wives toward husbands, here too he enjoins fear and love. For it is possible for one who loves to be bitter. What Paul says then is this: Don’t fight; for nothing is more bitter than fighting in marriage, when it takes place on the part of the husband toward the wife. For disputes between people who love another are bitter. These arise from great bitterness, when, Paul says, any one disagrees with his own member. To love, therefore, is the husband’s part, to yield pertains to the other side. If, then, each one contributes his own part, all stand firm. From being loved, the wife too becomes loving; and from her being submissive, the husband learns to yield.” [Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 400) Homilies on the Epistle to the Colossians 10]
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
The 4th commandment: “Honor your father and mother.”
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
In every family there should be an “educational exchange” between parents and children (Ephesians 6:1-4) in which each gives and receives.
“It is the duty of parents to create a family atmosphere inspired by love and devotion to God and their fellow man which will promote an integrated, personal and social education of their children” (Vatican II, Gravissimum educationis).
Optional 2nd Reading - Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
The date of composition of the letter to the Hebrews is not known but we can deduce that it was written prior to A.D. 70 because it warns the Christian against the temptation of returning to the ancient Levitical form of worship; a form of worship which disappeared with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is obviously written to a people who are steeped in the Old Testament, people who in all probability are converts from Judaism, and who may previously have even been priests or Levites. After becoming Christians, because of the persecutions of the time, they had to abandon Jerusalem, the holy city, and seek refuge in some coastal city such as Caesarea or Antioch. In their exile they look back with nostalgia on the splendor of the cult they had played a part in prior to their conversion. They feel discouraged and are tempted to give up their new faith, in which they are not yet well grounded.
To bolster their sagging faith, the sacred writer reminds them that final salvation, to which their faith leads them (and us), can only happen after death, when man sees God face-to-face, to the degree which God’s charity allows – in other words, to the extent that the Christian has put his faith into practice. Chapter 11, from which our reading for today comes gives an impressive account of the saints of the Old Testament, who were men of heroic faith, confident of the day when the divine promises would be fulfilled. Through the suffering, difficulties and obstacles they experienced in this life, and which they accepted with an unshakeable faith, they eventually attained the reward which God had promised them. Our reading for today concentrates on the faith of Abraham.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
Abraham’s faith is exemplified by his obedience to God’s command to migrate to Canaan
(Genesis 12:1, 4)
11 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
Abraham’s faith also allowed him to produce an heir with Sarah, even though both were well past normal childbearing years. As we heard in our first alternate reading, Abraham’s faith was tested as he tried to convince God the declare an heir either by adoption or by the offspring of a concubine. It was only through Sarah that a righteous offspring would be produced.
12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
It was through Abraham’s obedience to faith that his descendants would possess the land, although he would only be a sojourner in it (Genesis 15:16, 18), and would eventually become too numerous to count.
17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
The last example given of Abraham’s obedient faith is the case of his obedience to the command to offer Isaac in sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-19). His readiness to do so is particularly striking because his hopes for the fulfillment of God’s promise were bound up with Isaac.
19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Since Isaac didn’t actually die, it is likely that the sacred author sees Isaac’s deliverance from death as a symbol or type of the resurrection of Christ.
Gospel -Luke 2:22-40
Tradition tells us that Saint Luke was born in the Antioch of Syria. This suggests that he was of a Gentile rather than Jewish origin. This possibility appears to be borne out in Colossians 4:10-14 where Saint Paul singles some out as being “of the circumcision:” “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas ... and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God... Epaphras, who is one of yourselves... Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”
When Saint Luke became a Christian is unknown, quite possibly it was very early in the formation of the Church, but he states very early in his gospel account that he was not an eyewitness to the life of our Lord. The Acts of the Apostles, which Saint Luke also wrote, show him as a disciple and companion of Saint Paul; with some events being reported in the first person plural, implying that he himself took part in them.
From the very beginning the Church has always regarded Saint Luke’s Gospel as a sacred book: it was used for liturgical reading and is found in the earliest lists of books which the Church considers to be inspired by God. In the fourth century, the Council of Laodicea (sometime between A.D. 343 and 381) stated that only certain books could be read out in church and included in this listing were the “four Gospels according to Matthew, according to Mark, according to Luke, according to John.” The same regulations, with some changes in which books were included (so that they conform to what we know as the canon today), were issued by the Council of Hippo (A.D. 393) and the Council of Carthage (A.D. 397). It is believed that Saint Luke’s Gospel was written in the year A.D. 62 or at the beginning of 63.
Almost half of the content of Saint Luke’s Gospel is not to be found in the other Gospels. Among the important items exclusive to Luke are: his account of Jesus’ infancy, his setting of many episodes of Jesus’ public ministry within the framework of a long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, certain parables, and the account of the appearance of the risen Jesus to the disciples at Emmaus. Today we hear from his account of Jesus’ infancy.
Our gospel reading stresses the holy family’s strict obedience to the Law of Moses. Luke 2:21 says “When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” The requirement for circumcision is found in Genesis 17:12. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, a mark which designates that they belong to God’s chosen people.
Although not mentioned in our gospel reading today, Exodus 13:11-13 requires the sacrifice of all firstborn males (either of the flock or the family), with the provision that donkeys and sons shall be redeemed with a lamb, or if not redeemed its neck shall be broken. Numbers 18:16 states that the redemption shall take place at the age of one month and places a price of five silver shekels (a shekel is about 112 grams or about $100.00 at 2012 prices) as the price of redemption.
22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of
Moses,
Although the text is correctly translated as “their purification,” only Mary required purification. Mary’s uncleanness was not moral but only ceremonial. Leviticus 12:2-4 declares that a woman who has conceived and borne a son is ritually unclean. Mary is seen as being united with Jesus, and possibly with Joseph, in the Temple ceremony. Just as Jesus followed the full Mosaic Law and completely immersed Himself in humanity, Mary is presented as one with all womankind in giving birth to her child.
they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”
Jesus’ presentation in the Temple is in accordance with Exodus 13:1-16.
24 and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Rather than a year-old lamb, Mary and Joseph give the “offering of the poor”; one bird was for a holocaust of adoration, the other for a sin offering (see Leviticus 12:6-8; 5:7-10).
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,
The name Simeon means “hearing.” The adjectives which describe Simeon show that he took care in observing the moral obligations of the Law, a care which springs from a healthy fear of the Lord.
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
According to rabbinical tradition, the “consolation of Israel” was the final, unrecorded words that passed between Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:11) and that this would be made known when Elijah reappeared (Luke 1:17).
and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.
God is at work in saving His people.
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God,
The rabbis took children into their arms in order to bless them. The Greek word edexato implies that Simeon “received” what was being presented to him.
saying: 29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go
This implies the difficult service of Simeon’s days in the Temple.
in peace, according to your word,
Simeon is the watchman who is released from duty. He was most probably a member of, or at least was closely associated with, the Sadducee group and must have waited amid great suffering as he witnessed the priestly betrayal of many sacred obligations.
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
The universal scope of salvation reflects Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 52:10.
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Revelation under the image of light is especially used in the writings of John. When the glory of the Lord descended upon the ark of the covenant, Moses could not enter lest he die (Exodus 33:18-20; 40:35); having seen the glory, Simeon can die peacefully.
33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 and
Simeon blessed them
He proclaimed the fulfillment of Messianic blessings in them and announced their involvement in the continuation of these blessings among other men.
and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
This is probably a reference to an idea found in Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16. The goals and goodness, preached and lived by the Messiah, force all men to face up to their great sinfulness (their fall). This knowledge can completely destroy, as it does the proud; or it can prompt the humble to turn to the Messiah and through Him to rise to a new life.
Everywhere else in Luke the Greek word translated as rise, anastasis, is used exclusively for resurrection from the dead (Luke 14:14; 20:27, 33, 35).
and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The words Simeon addresses to Mary announce that she will be intimately linked with her Son’s redemptive work. The sword indicates that Mary will have a share in her Son’s sufferings; hers will be an unspeakable pain which pierces her soul. Our Lord suffered on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and it is those sins which forge the sword of Mary’s pain.
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna,
Rabbinical literature recognized seven (the number of the covenant) prophetesses: Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abagail, Huldah, and Esther. The Bible also mentions that the wife of the prophet Isaiah was called a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3). These women witnessed to God’s will, at least by holiness of life, sometimes by speaking in His name. The name Anna means “grace” or “favor.”
the daughter of Phanuel,
The name Phanuel means “face of God.”
of the tribe of Asher.
There is little known of the tribe of Asher as nothing is recorded beyond its holding a place in the list of the tribes (Genesis 35:26; 46:17; Exodus 1:4, etc.). Asher and Simeon were the only tribes west of the Jordan which furnished no hero or judge for the nation; at least until Anna the prophetess came along. The name Asher means “good luck.”
She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
The holy city represents all of the elect. Anna’s testimony is very similar to Simeon’s; like him, she too has been awaiting the coming of the Messiah her whole life, in faithful service to God, and she too is rewarded with the joy of seeing Him. The birth of Jesus the Christ was revealed by three kinds of witness in three different ways:
1) by the shepherds, after the angel’s announcement;
2) by the magi, who were guided by the star; and
3) by Simeon and Anna who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
All of us who, like Simeon and Anna, persevere in piety and in the service of God, no matter how insignificant their lives may seem in the eyes of others, become instruments of the Holy Spirit who uses us to make the Christ known to others.
39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
Before their return to Nazareth, Saint Matthew tells us that the Holy Family fled to Egypt where they stayed for some time (Matthew 2:13-23).
40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ as a child, that is, as one clothed in the fragility of human nature, had to grow and become stronger but as the eternal Word of God he had no need to become stronger or to grow. Hence he is rightly described as full of wisdom and grace [favor].” [Saint Bede the Venerable (ca. A.D. 710), In Lucae Evangelium expositio, in loc.]
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
Introduction
The Feast of the Holy Family honors the family group of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This feast developed only in the 17th century. Built on the Gospel accounts, this family is looked upon as an excellent domestic unit representing the ideal family life. To promote family life and build up devotion to the Holy Family, a feast was established for the Universal Church in 1921 (under Pope Benedict XV), and it is currently celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas or on December 30 when Christmas falls on Sunday. There is an optional set of readings for the 1st and 2nd Readings, both are presented here.
1st Reading - Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Israelite wisdom, like the wisdom of other peoples, was the product of the scribal schools and the scribal class; this class first appeared under the monarchy and followed Egyptian models in administration and procedure. Wisdom is gained by counsel and instruction (Proverbs 1:5; 12:15; 13:14; 19:20f), and the young man is frequently admonished to accept instruction. Wisdom comes from association with the wise (Proverbs 13:20). The tradition of wisdom begins with primordial man (Ezekiel 28:12). The wise man accepts correction and instruction (Proverbs 9:8ff; 21:11); he is always learning, where the fool refuses to learn.
Israelite wisdom was modified by its relation to faith in Yahweh, which gives it a character of its own. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia had gods who were venerated for their wisdom, but these gods were specialists. Yahweh alone is truly wise; His wisdom is exhibited in creation (Proverbs 3:19; Job 38- 39).
Wisdom is a treasure which men cannot discover, for it is found only with God, who grants it to men. The wisdom of God is seen not only in His creation but in His management of human history (Job 12:13). Wisdom, while learned from tradition, is ultimately a gift of Yahweh (Proverbs 2:6).
The wisdom literature alone in the Old Testament directs attention explicitly to the problems of the individual person; it is free of peculiarly national traits and of messianism. Its merit is that it does draw attention to the importance of the business of daily life of the man who is not very important, and its emphasis on the fact that life is unity and integrity which must be preserved from the disintegration of folly is not misplaced.
Today we hear Sirach tell us that fidelity to parents (the 4th commandment) is fidelity to Yahweh.
2 For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. 3 He who honors his father atones for sins;
This goes beyond the 4th commandment which promises long life (Exodus 20:12).
4 he stores up riches who reveres his mother. 5 He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. 6 He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother. 12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength. 14 For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins -- a house raised in justice to you.
This is a commentary on the 4th commandment (Exodus 20:12). Fidelity to this commandment also atones for sins.
Optional 1st Reading - Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
After the fall of our first parents, God announced that a savior would redeem mankind from the power of Satan. One of the first steps toward the fulfillment of this promise was God’s choice of Abram (later renamed Abraham), whose faith would make him the father of a great people. God told Abram “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you” (Genesis 12:1-3). This is a three-fold promise of blessing: 1) Nationhood; 2) Name (which is dynasty or kingdom); and 3) Worldwide blessing. Our reading of today is the actions immediately preceding the formation of a covenant with God concerning the first promise, a covenant which is fulfilled in Moses; the second promise is sealed by covenant in Genesis 17:1-19, a covenant which is fulfilled in David; and the third promise is sealed by covenant in Genesis 22, a covenant which finds fulfillment in Jesus the Christ.
15:1 Some time after these events, this word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”
It was socially and legally acceptable at the time for childless parents to appoint as their heir either an adopted son or the child of a concubine. The name Eliezer means “God his help.”
3 Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.”
God rejects the possibility of adopting Eliezer in order to have an heir and instead states that Abram shall father a son. At this time Abram is about 85 years old and Sari, his wife, is no spring chicken either.
5 He took him outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” 6 Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
This is not salvation by faith alone, Abram has been obedient to God since Genesis 12 when he was told to leave the home of his kinfolk. Abram’s obedience to his faith in God is what merits credit as an act of righteousness. In between where this verse leaves off and where we rejoin the narrative in Chapter 21, Abram sires a son through Sari’s maidservant Hagar (means “flight” or “stranger”) who is also rejected by God, thus rejecting the second possibility of creating an heir through a concubine.
21:1 The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised.
At this point Abraham (Abram’s and Sari’s names were changed in Chapter 17) is 100 years old.
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.
The name Isaac means “laughter.” When Abraham had been told by God a year earlier that he and Sarah would be parents of a son, Sarah laughed (Genesis 18:10-15).
2nd Reading - Colossians 3:12-21
The purpose of Colossians was to bolster the faith of the community and correct errors reported about the church in Colossae. False teachers are at work in the community and since these false teachers are charged with “not holding to the head”, the errors must have arisen within the community. Jewish and pagan elements seem to be interwoven. The Jewish influence is evident in the references to observing suggested days, season, circumcision, and other Jewish practices (Colossians 2:16-17). In some circles of Judaism there was a strong belief in the mediatorship and power of the angels. The Qumran community attached a great deal of importance to the angel’s names and their roles in the affairs of the world.
The pagan influences at work in Colossae are reflected in beliefs that certain “elements of the world” or angelic beings were in control of the universe (Colossians 2:8,20). These “elements of the world” were a series of intermediaries between God and the universe. Each was considered to contain part of the “fullness of the Godhead” (Colossians 1:19; 2:9). They were the cause of creation (Colossians 1:15-17). They also shared control over various areas of the earth and over the destinies of men.
Paul had to counter the dangerous tendencies by pointing out the all-sufficiency of Christ in His role in the universe. He had to point out that the “fullness of the Godhead” was not shared by a multitude of intermediaries: all the fullness of God and His power was in Christ himself (1:19; 2:3,9). By His death on the cross, Christ had won a victory over all the forces that were considered to control the universe. In Old Testament wisdom literature Paul found proof that the whole universe had been created and directed by the wisdom of God from the beginning; now this wisdom had been fully revealed in Christ (Colossians 1:15-20).
In our reading today we hear Paul tell us some of the general principles for a life in Christ.
12 Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
When you were baptized, you clothed yourself in Christ. This is a brief description of that clothing. These terms (chosen, holy, beloved) were also used in the Old Testament to describe Israel. As a baptized Christian they have entered the new Israel, a community of God’s people – their relations to one another should reflect this.
13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
Forgive as you have been forgiven. The petition of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12) may be in Paul’s mind (see Ephesians 4:32).
14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
In verse 12 Paul told us to clothe ourselves in the attributes of Christ. Now we put on love (agape) as the final garment which covers all the others and binds them together. In the Sermon on the Mount, God’s great universal love is the supreme model for man “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
“Now what Paul wishes to say is that there is no benefit in those things, for all those things fall apart, unless they are done with love. This is the love that binds them all together. Whatever good thing it is that you mention, if love be absent, it is nothing, it melts away. The analogy is like a ship; though its rigging be large, yet if it lacks girding ropes, it is of no service. Or it is similar to a house; if there are no tie beams, of what use is the house? Think of a body, Though its bones be large, if it lacks ligaments, the bones cannot support the body. In the same way, whatever good our deeds posses will vanish completely if they lack love.” [Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 400) Homilies on the Epistle to the Colossians 9]
15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.
This is a vivid portrayal of the compact community of brothers in Christ, who is the source of unity, peace and harmony.
And be thankful.
For this one body, this community (common-unity), they must always be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
The presence of Christ in the community will manifest itself by a wise use of words and song to encourage one another.
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
As used here, this points out that even the singing is used for instruction of the community (one another). The instruction is for the whole community – they all have mutual responsibilities.
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Christians must recognize Jesus as Lord both in word and in action. In words, they will show this recognition best when they call upon Him in prayer as Lord. For Paul and the early Church, to say “do it in the name of the Lord” was a way of designating Christians. In the Old Testament “those who call on the name of the Lord: was a designation of sincere and pious Israelites; in the New Testament it is transferred to Christians (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 9:14), and the object of it is Christ. The title once reserved for Yahweh has been transferred to Christ. “No one comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:16).
18 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.
The husband is to be the spiritual head of the household. 1 Peter 3:1-6 expresses this same sentiment where the underlying assumption is that the wife is Christian and the husband is pagan – she is to win him over through Christian obedience. Ephesians 5:22-24 again says the same where the assumption is that both husband and wife are Christian. The root of this teaching is Genesis 3:16 and it is echoed again in 1 Timothy 2:12.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.
This theme is also expanded and expounded in 1 Peter 3:7 and Ephesians 5:25-31. God gave Eve to Adam as his inseparable companion and compliment (Genesis 2:18); she was therefore duty-bound to live in peace and with him. Man and woman have different, although complimentary, roles in family life; they are equal in dignity. The family needs a center of authority, and that authority belongs to the husband, in accordance with God’s design (1 Corinthians 11:3,12-14).
“Observe again that Paul has exhorted husbands and wives to reciprocity. As with wives toward husbands, here too he enjoins fear and love. For it is possible for one who loves to be bitter. What Paul says then is this: Don’t fight; for nothing is more bitter than fighting in marriage, when it takes place on the part of the husband toward the wife. For disputes between people who love another are bitter. These arise from great bitterness, when, Paul says, any one disagrees with his own member. To love, therefore, is the husband’s part, to yield pertains to the other side. If, then, each one contributes his own part, all stand firm. From being loved, the wife too becomes loving; and from her being submissive, the husband learns to yield.” [Saint John Chrysostom (ca. A.D. 400) Homilies on the Epistle to the Colossians 10]
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
The 4th commandment: “Honor your father and mother.”
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
In every family there should be an “educational exchange” between parents and children (Ephesians 6:1-4) in which each gives and receives.
“It is the duty of parents to create a family atmosphere inspired by love and devotion to God and their fellow man which will promote an integrated, personal and social education of their children” (Vatican II, Gravissimum educationis).
Optional 2nd Reading - Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
The date of composition of the letter to the Hebrews is not known but we can deduce that it was written prior to A.D. 70 because it warns the Christian against the temptation of returning to the ancient Levitical form of worship; a form of worship which disappeared with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is obviously written to a people who are steeped in the Old Testament, people who in all probability are converts from Judaism, and who may previously have even been priests or Levites. After becoming Christians, because of the persecutions of the time, they had to abandon Jerusalem, the holy city, and seek refuge in some coastal city such as Caesarea or Antioch. In their exile they look back with nostalgia on the splendor of the cult they had played a part in prior to their conversion. They feel discouraged and are tempted to give up their new faith, in which they are not yet well grounded.
To bolster their sagging faith, the sacred writer reminds them that final salvation, to which their faith leads them (and us), can only happen after death, when man sees God face-to-face, to the degree which God’s charity allows – in other words, to the extent that the Christian has put his faith into practice. Chapter 11, from which our reading for today comes gives an impressive account of the saints of the Old Testament, who were men of heroic faith, confident of the day when the divine promises would be fulfilled. Through the suffering, difficulties and obstacles they experienced in this life, and which they accepted with an unshakeable faith, they eventually attained the reward which God had promised them. Our reading for today concentrates on the faith of Abraham.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
Abraham’s faith is exemplified by his obedience to God’s command to migrate to Canaan
(Genesis 12:1, 4)
11 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
Abraham’s faith also allowed him to produce an heir with Sarah, even though both were well past normal childbearing years. As we heard in our first alternate reading, Abraham’s faith was tested as he tried to convince God the declare an heir either by adoption or by the offspring of a concubine. It was only through Sarah that a righteous offspring would be produced.
12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
It was through Abraham’s obedience to faith that his descendants would possess the land, although he would only be a sojourner in it (Genesis 15:16, 18), and would eventually become too numerous to count.
17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
The last example given of Abraham’s obedient faith is the case of his obedience to the command to offer Isaac in sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-19). His readiness to do so is particularly striking because his hopes for the fulfillment of God’s promise were bound up with Isaac.
19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Since Isaac didn’t actually die, it is likely that the sacred author sees Isaac’s deliverance from death as a symbol or type of the resurrection of Christ.
Gospel -Luke 2:22-40
Tradition tells us that Saint Luke was born in the Antioch of Syria. This suggests that he was of a Gentile rather than Jewish origin. This possibility appears to be borne out in Colossians 4:10-14 where Saint Paul singles some out as being “of the circumcision:” “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas ... and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God... Epaphras, who is one of yourselves... Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”
When Saint Luke became a Christian is unknown, quite possibly it was very early in the formation of the Church, but he states very early in his gospel account that he was not an eyewitness to the life of our Lord. The Acts of the Apostles, which Saint Luke also wrote, show him as a disciple and companion of Saint Paul; with some events being reported in the first person plural, implying that he himself took part in them.
From the very beginning the Church has always regarded Saint Luke’s Gospel as a sacred book: it was used for liturgical reading and is found in the earliest lists of books which the Church considers to be inspired by God. In the fourth century, the Council of Laodicea (sometime between A.D. 343 and 381) stated that only certain books could be read out in church and included in this listing were the “four Gospels according to Matthew, according to Mark, according to Luke, according to John.” The same regulations, with some changes in which books were included (so that they conform to what we know as the canon today), were issued by the Council of Hippo (A.D. 393) and the Council of Carthage (A.D. 397). It is believed that Saint Luke’s Gospel was written in the year A.D. 62 or at the beginning of 63.
Almost half of the content of Saint Luke’s Gospel is not to be found in the other Gospels. Among the important items exclusive to Luke are: his account of Jesus’ infancy, his setting of many episodes of Jesus’ public ministry within the framework of a long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, certain parables, and the account of the appearance of the risen Jesus to the disciples at Emmaus. Today we hear from his account of Jesus’ infancy.
Our gospel reading stresses the holy family’s strict obedience to the Law of Moses. Luke 2:21 says “When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” The requirement for circumcision is found in Genesis 17:12. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, a mark which designates that they belong to God’s chosen people.
Although not mentioned in our gospel reading today, Exodus 13:11-13 requires the sacrifice of all firstborn males (either of the flock or the family), with the provision that donkeys and sons shall be redeemed with a lamb, or if not redeemed its neck shall be broken. Numbers 18:16 states that the redemption shall take place at the age of one month and places a price of five silver shekels (a shekel is about 112 grams or about $100.00 at 2012 prices) as the price of redemption.
22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of
Moses,
Although the text is correctly translated as “their purification,” only Mary required purification. Mary’s uncleanness was not moral but only ceremonial. Leviticus 12:2-4 declares that a woman who has conceived and borne a son is ritually unclean. Mary is seen as being united with Jesus, and possibly with Joseph, in the Temple ceremony. Just as Jesus followed the full Mosaic Law and completely immersed Himself in humanity, Mary is presented as one with all womankind in giving birth to her child.
they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”
Jesus’ presentation in the Temple is in accordance with Exodus 13:1-16.
24 and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Rather than a year-old lamb, Mary and Joseph give the “offering of the poor”; one bird was for a holocaust of adoration, the other for a sin offering (see Leviticus 12:6-8; 5:7-10).
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,
The name Simeon means “hearing.” The adjectives which describe Simeon show that he took care in observing the moral obligations of the Law, a care which springs from a healthy fear of the Lord.
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
According to rabbinical tradition, the “consolation of Israel” was the final, unrecorded words that passed between Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:11) and that this would be made known when Elijah reappeared (Luke 1:17).
and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.
God is at work in saving His people.
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God,
The rabbis took children into their arms in order to bless them. The Greek word edexato implies that Simeon “received” what was being presented to him.
saying: 29 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go
This implies the difficult service of Simeon’s days in the Temple.
in peace, according to your word,
Simeon is the watchman who is released from duty. He was most probably a member of, or at least was closely associated with, the Sadducee group and must have waited amid great suffering as he witnessed the priestly betrayal of many sacred obligations.
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
The universal scope of salvation reflects Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 52:10.
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Revelation under the image of light is especially used in the writings of John. When the glory of the Lord descended upon the ark of the covenant, Moses could not enter lest he die (Exodus 33:18-20; 40:35); having seen the glory, Simeon can die peacefully.
33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 and
Simeon blessed them
He proclaimed the fulfillment of Messianic blessings in them and announced their involvement in the continuation of these blessings among other men.
and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
This is probably a reference to an idea found in Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16. The goals and goodness, preached and lived by the Messiah, force all men to face up to their great sinfulness (their fall). This knowledge can completely destroy, as it does the proud; or it can prompt the humble to turn to the Messiah and through Him to rise to a new life.
Everywhere else in Luke the Greek word translated as rise, anastasis, is used exclusively for resurrection from the dead (Luke 14:14; 20:27, 33, 35).
and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The words Simeon addresses to Mary announce that she will be intimately linked with her Son’s redemptive work. The sword indicates that Mary will have a share in her Son’s sufferings; hers will be an unspeakable pain which pierces her soul. Our Lord suffered on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and it is those sins which forge the sword of Mary’s pain.
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna,
Rabbinical literature recognized seven (the number of the covenant) prophetesses: Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abagail, Huldah, and Esther. The Bible also mentions that the wife of the prophet Isaiah was called a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3). These women witnessed to God’s will, at least by holiness of life, sometimes by speaking in His name. The name Anna means “grace” or “favor.”
the daughter of Phanuel,
The name Phanuel means “face of God.”
of the tribe of Asher.
There is little known of the tribe of Asher as nothing is recorded beyond its holding a place in the list of the tribes (Genesis 35:26; 46:17; Exodus 1:4, etc.). Asher and Simeon were the only tribes west of the Jordan which furnished no hero or judge for the nation; at least until Anna the prophetess came along. The name Asher means “good luck.”
She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
The holy city represents all of the elect. Anna’s testimony is very similar to Simeon’s; like him, she too has been awaiting the coming of the Messiah her whole life, in faithful service to God, and she too is rewarded with the joy of seeing Him. The birth of Jesus the Christ was revealed by three kinds of witness in three different ways:
1) by the shepherds, after the angel’s announcement;
2) by the magi, who were guided by the star; and
3) by Simeon and Anna who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
All of us who, like Simeon and Anna, persevere in piety and in the service of God, no matter how insignificant their lives may seem in the eyes of others, become instruments of the Holy Spirit who uses us to make the Christ known to others.
39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
Before their return to Nazareth, Saint Matthew tells us that the Holy Family fled to Egypt where they stayed for some time (Matthew 2:13-23).
40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ as a child, that is, as one clothed in the fragility of human nature, had to grow and become stronger but as the eternal Word of God he had no need to become stronger or to grow. Hence he is rightly described as full of wisdom and grace [favor].” [Saint Bede the Venerable (ca. A.D. 710), In Lucae Evangelium expositio, in loc.]
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,
Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND
JOSEPH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, LUKE 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, LUKE 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40
(Sirach 3:2-7,12-14; Psalm 128; Colossians 3:12-21 or Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Psalm 128; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19)
KEY VERSE: "They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord" (v.22).
TO KNOW: As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple for the rite of purification (Lv 12:2-8). Though this poor family could not afford a lamb for the sacrifice, they held the "lamb of God" in their arms. In the Temple that day were two elderly servants of God, Simeon and Anna, who awaited the deliverance of Israel. Simeon praised God for allowing him to see the one who would bring salvation to his people, and light to the Gentiles (Lk 2:32). Simeon's words to Mary pierced her heart; she would not be spared the suffering of her son. Luke paralleled the account of Simeon with that of Anna, a pious widow who spent her days in the Temple praying and fasting for the redemption of Israel. Anna is called a "prophetess," one who interpreted God's actions in the world. She gave thanks to God and told everyone that deliverance would come through this child. When they left the Temple, the holy family returned to Nazareth where their son Jesus grew in wisdom and grace.
TO LOVE: Do I tell others of the salvation offered by Jesus?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to bring the good news of salvation to my family.
Sunday 31
December 2017
Feast Of The Holy Family.
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3. Psalm 104(105):1-6, 8-9. Hebrews 11:8,
11-12, 17-19. Luke 2:22-40.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever—Psalm 104(105):1-6,
8-9.
‘Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God.’
This reading from Luke reminds us of the wonderment of new
parents, of possibilities, hopes, and fears for the new life they have to
nurture and the family they have become.
We can only imagine the domestic life of the Holy Family. They
are an example of domestic church, living in communion as they faced the
insecurities
of Jewish family life under Roman rule. Families have
traditionally come together to celebrate at
this time of year.
As the year draws to an end it is a natural time for reflecting
on the giftedness, the challenges, the fragility, and the strength of family
bonds. May the imminence of the new year allow us to draw on the strengths,
face the challenges, respect the fragility, and embrace the giftedness of our
own unique family.
ST. SYLVESTER, POPE
Saint Sylvester was born in Rome around the year 250. At a young
age, he was put under the care of a priest to be formed in the practice of
religion and sacred literature. He enjoyed providing shelter to Christians
passing through the city, and would take them with him, wash their feet, serve
them at table and give them all the care the needed in the name of Christ.
One
of the Christians that Sylvester hosted was Timothy of Antioch, an illustrious
confessor of the faith. When he arrived in Rome, no one dared to receive him,
but Sylvester considered it an honor.
For
a year, Timothy preached the gospel Jesus Christ with great zeal, while
Sylvester selflessly shared his own home. After Timothy died as a martyr,
Sylvester buried his remains, but was quickly accused of having hidden the
martyr’s treasures, and the governor had him imprisoned.
In
reply to the accusation, Sylvester said, “Timothy left to me only the heritage
of his faith and courage.”
After
the governor one day swallowed a fish bone and died, the guards' hearts were
softened, and they set the brave young man free. Sylvester’s courageous acts
became known to Pope Melchiades, who elevated him to the diaconate.
Under
the tyranny of Diocletian, the persecution of Christians grew worse while
Sylvester was still a young priest. Most Christians that went abroad were put
to the test of offering sacrifice, with the alternative of apostasy or death.
During
this difficult time, Sylvester strengthened the confessors and martyrs, and God
preserved his life from many dangers.
Sylvester
became Pope in 314, after Pope Mechiades died, and reigned until 335. He is
remembered in particular for the Council of Nicea, the Baptism of Constantine,
and the triumph of the Church.
A
memorable story from Sylvester’s pontificate involved Constantine, who was
attacked by leprosy. He was still a pagan at the time, and unconcerned for the
Christians, whose doctrine was entirely unknown to him.
One
night Saint Peter and Saint Paul appeared to him and commanded him to call for
Pope Sylvester, who would cure him by giving him Baptism. He obeyed, and the
Pope baptized him, with which came Constantine’s conversion.
Even
though some facts about Pope Sylvester are unknown, his feast day is celebrated
on December 31 in memory of his death in 335.
LECTIO DIVINA: THE HOLY FAMILY
(B) LUKE 2:22-40
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 10
THE SACRED FAMILY (B)
The one longed-for by all
The presentation of the Child in the Temple
Luke 2:22-40
The presentation of the Child in the Temple
Luke 2:22-40
1. Opening prayer
O God, our Creator and Father, you willed that your Son, generated before the dawn of the world, should become a member of the human family. Rekindle in us an appreciation for the gift of life, so that parents may participate in the fruitfulness of your love, old people may pass on to young ones their mature wisdom, and children may grow in wisdom, piety and grace, all giving praise to your holy name. Through Christ our Lord.
O God, our Creator and Father, you willed that your Son, generated before the dawn of the world, should become a member of the human family. Rekindle in us an appreciation for the gift of life, so that parents may participate in the fruitfulness of your love, old people may pass on to young ones their mature wisdom, and children may grow in wisdom, piety and grace, all giving praise to your holy name. Through Christ our Lord.
2. Reading: Luke 2:22-40
22 When the time came for their
purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord,
"Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24
and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord,
"a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout,
looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And
it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death
before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came
into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed
God and said, 29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou
hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
-
that the Word of God may dwell in us and that we may allow it to enlighten our
lives;
- that before we pass any comments, the very light of the Word may shine and dominate with the mystery of the living presence of the Lord.
- that before we pass any comments, the very light of the Word may shine and dominate with the mystery of the living presence of the Lord.
4. Some questions
to
help us in our personal reflection.
a)
Why should Jesus, Son of the Most High, and his mother Mary, conceived without
sin, obey the prescriptions of Moses? Maybe because Mary was not yet aware of
her innocence and holiness?
b) Is there special significance in the words and attitudes of Simeon and the prophetess Anna? Do not their actions and joy perhaps recall the style of the ancient prophets?
c) How can we explain this "sword" that pierces: is it a rending of the consciences before the challenges and richness of Jesus? Or is it only the inner pains of the Mother?
d) Can this scene mean anything to parents today: for the religious formation of their children; for the plan that God has for each of their children; for the fears and sufferings that parents carry in their hearts when they think of the time when their children grow up?
b) Is there special significance in the words and attitudes of Simeon and the prophetess Anna? Do not their actions and joy perhaps recall the style of the ancient prophets?
c) How can we explain this "sword" that pierces: is it a rending of the consciences before the challenges and richness of Jesus? Or is it only the inner pains of the Mother?
d) Can this scene mean anything to parents today: for the religious formation of their children; for the plan that God has for each of their children; for the fears and sufferings that parents carry in their hearts when they think of the time when their children grow up?
5. A key to the reading
for
those who wish go deeper into the text.
a) As laid down in the law of Moses/of the
Lord. This is a kind of refrain repeated several times. Luke
mixes two prescriptions without making any distinction. The purification of the
mother was foreseen in Leviticus (12:2-8)
and was to take place forty days after the birth. Until then, the woman could
not approach sacred places, and the ceremony was accompanied by the gift of a
small animal. But the consecration of the first-born was prescribed in Exodus
13:11-16, and was considered a kind of "ransom" in memory of the
saving action of God when he liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. For
this also the offering was a small animal. In all of this scene, the parents
seem to be in the process of presenting/offering their son as was done with
sacrifices and Levites, while through the persons of Simeon and Anna it seems
rather God who offers/presents the son for the salvation of people.
b) Simeon and Anna: these
are figures full of symbolical value. Their role is one of recognition, that comes from
both the enlightenment and action of the Spirit and a life lived in expectation
and faith. Simeon especially
is defined as prodekòmenos,
that is, one entirely absorbed in waiting, and one who goes forward to welcome.
He, too, appears to be obedient to the law, the law of the Spirit, who leads
him towards the child in the temple. The canticle he proclaims manifests
his pro-existentia,
he has lived in order to come to this moment and now he withdraws so that
others may see the light and the salvation to come for Israel and the
pagans. Anna completes
the picture, by her very age (symbolical value: 84 equals 7x12, the twelve
tribes of Israel; or 84 – 7 = 77, double perfection), but above all by her way
of living (fasting and praying) and by her proclamation to all who "looked
forward". She is led by the Spirit of prophecy, docile and purified in her
heart. Besides, she belongs to the smallest of the tribes, that of Aser, a sign
that the small and fragile are those more disposed to recognise Jesus, the
Saviour. Both of these old persons – who look like an original couple – are
symbols of the best of Judaism, of faithful and meek Jerusalem, that awaits and
rejoices and that from now on allows the new light to shine.
c) A sword will pierce: generally
these words are interpreted as meaning that Mary will suffer, a drama made
visible of the Our Lady of Sorrows. Rather, we need to see the Mother as a
symbol of Israel. Simeon feels the drama of his people who will be deeply torn
by the living and sharp word of the redeemer (cf Lk 12:51-53). Mary represents
the path: she must trust, but will go through times of pain and darkness,
struggles and painful silences. The story of the suffering Messiah will be
painful for all, even for the Mother. One does not follow the new light of the
whole world without paying the cost, without being provoked to make risky
choices, without being always born again from on high and in newness. But these
images of the "sword that pierces", of the child who will
"trip" and shake hearts from their lethargy, are not to be separated
from the meaningful action of the two old persons: the one, Simeon, takes the
child in his arms to show that faith is a meeting and an embrace, not an idea
of theorem; the other, Anna, takes on the role of proclaiming and enkindles a
bright light in the hearts of all who "looked forward" to him.
d) Daily life, an epiphany of God: finally,
it is interesting to note that the whole episode emphasises the situation of
the most simple and homely: the young couple with the child in their arms; the
old man who rejoices and embraces, the old lady who prays and proclaims, those
listening who appear to be indirectly involved. At the end of the passage, we
also get a glimpse of the village of Nazareth, of the growth of the child in a
normal context, the impression of a child extraordinarily gifted with wisdom
and goodness. The theme of wisdom woven into the fabric of normal life and
growth in a village context, leaves the story as if in suspense, and it will be
taken up again precisely with the theme of the wisdom of the boy among the
doctors in the temple. Indeed, this is the episode that follows immediately (Lk
2:41-52).
6. Psalm 122
I
was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord!"
Our feet have been standing within your gates,
O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
"May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!"
For my brethren and companions' sake I will say,
"Peace be within you!"
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
"Let us go to the house of the Lord!"
Our feet have been standing within your gates,
O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
"May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!"
For my brethren and companions' sake I will say,
"Peace be within you!"
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
7. Final Prayer
Father,
we praise you and we bless you because through your Son, born of woman by the
working of the Holy Spirit, born under the law, has ransomed us from the law
and you have filled our life with light and new hope. May our families welcome
and remain faithful to your designs, may they help and sustain in their
children the new dreams and enthusiasm, wrap them in tenderness when they are
fragile, educate them in love for you and for all creatures. All honour and
glory to you, Father.
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