Tag: Holy Family

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

From the responsorial psalm: “Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:36-40)

There was 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.

After the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the prophetess Anna comes forward to Joseph and Mary and, as John tells us, “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” In her long life, Anna faithfully awaited the coming of the Messiah and sees just that in the child Jesus. Luke then tells us that Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth with Jesus, where he “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” Like Anna, Mary and Joseph remained obedient to God in fulfilling all the prescriptions of the law and returning home to raise Jesus in Nazareth, giving to the Lord the glory due his name.

God, help me be vigilant in recognizing your work in the world and the quiet ways you make your presence known. Attentive to this, give me the grace to know and do your will—not my will—throughout the day. From the first reading, help me call to mind the words of John as I look for direction: “Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.” From the enticing call of the world and its hollow pretentiousness deliver me. Give me the wisdom, Lord, to recognize it for what it is and instead grow and become strong in faith and childlike in my love for you. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” | Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

From the responsorial psalm: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:41-52)

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.

Luke tells us the story of Jesus at the age of twelve during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his parents for the Feast of the Passover. After the feast, Mary and Joseph begin their journey home, assuming Jesus was with them in the caravan of travelers. Returning to Jerusalem, they find Jesus after searching for him for three days. After finding him in the temple among teachers who are astouned at his wisdom, Mary questions why Jesus has done this to them and expresses her anxiety. In that moment, Mary did not understand what Jesus means when he explains that he was in his Father’s house. Over time, as Jesus “advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man,” Mary came to undersand more deeply that her son, and stepson of Joseph, was the Son of God. Through Mary’s help, we come to know the Son and the Father.

God, help me see the examples of perfect faith in you as modeled by the Holy Family. Mary speaks for herself and for Joseph when she said she looked for Jesus with great anxiety, yet in finding him they were astonished at his wisdom and closeness to you. As Jesus grew, he advanced in his love for you and sought your favor in every word and action. Give me the grace, Lord, to be free from all anxiety through the intercession of the Holy Family and in the knowledge that I am in the midst of Jesus, who sits at your right hand, whenever I seek your favor and do your will. Holy Family, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.

In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew tells us that an angel appeared to Joseph once again in a dream to tell him after Herod had died that “those who sought the child’s life are dead.” Joseph rose and took Mary and Jesus not to Judea, where Herod’s son now ruled, but to Nazareth. And in this way, what the prophets said would be fulfilled. Jesus was to be called a Nazorean. From today’s reading, the care Joseph gives his family is clear in his decision both to fulfill the word of the prophets and protect them from Herod’s son. Just as Joseph paid attention to the guidance of an angel of the Lord, how do I seek God’s guidance in order to accomplish his will?

Holy Family, see me and hear my prayers as a father and husband. Intercede for me to the Father that I know and understand his will. As the Responsorial Psalm says, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” Lord, teach me to honor you and be obedient to your word.

Thank you, God, for your guidance! Without you, I wander aimlessly toward an uncertain end even in daylight; with you, even if traveling by night, I know you guide me safely along the way.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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