Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Sunday within the Octave of Christmas: The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - ABC
[Sir 3:3-7, 14-17a; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Matt 2:13-15, 19-23,82]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 manh in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted - and you yourself a sword will pierce - that that the thoughts of many hearts may bes revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.....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. [Luke]
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2023 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
[Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40 - for Cycle B.]
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 manh in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted - and you yourself a sword will pierce - that that the thoughts of many hearts may bes revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.....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. [Luke]
The feast of the Holy Family, like that of the Holy Innocents (Dec. 28) and the Magi (Epiphany) directs attention toward the impact of Jesus' birth on various witnesses who come to see, believe and proclaim. The angels, shepherds, Simeon/Anna, and the Magi are all witnesses to the event. In the case of the feast of the Holy Family, there is a traditional focus on family life as a witness to the incarnation. Certainly, Mary and Joseph (along with any other occupants of that space) were the first witnesses! The Holy Spirit weighs in by inspiring Simeon to come to the temple on the day Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple. And, in a way, the temple itself is a witness to the one whose birth will mean a whole new sense of temple.
In my pastoral experience, the event of the baptism of a newborn has been an opportunity to see family life in action with all the siblings, relatives and friends present with sometimes interesting "dynamics" going on. I have seen the impact of family life on the many students who have come my way. Some students look forward to going home to family and some don't! Jesus' own family would be ambiguous about his eventual ministry to the point of trying to "seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." [Mark 3:21]
In celebrating "family" today, we celebrate not just some idealized notion of amily but all that comes with being "family." Simeon's prophecy meant rough sledding ahead, of which the crucifix is a constant reminder. We celebrate the lives and deaths of all families today, hopefully in gratitude for our own. AMEN