Sunday in the
Octave of Christmas -29 December 2024
The Holy Family of Nazareth (year C)
Mass Readings: 1 Sam 1:20-22. 24-28 (or Sir 3: 2-6, 12-14) Ps 128 1 Jn 3:1-2. 21-24 (or Col 3:12-21) Lk
2:41-52.
Key Verse to Meditate: And when he
was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival (Lk 2:42).
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the
Lord,
I recall a peculiar event that took place after a Christmas Mass.
In a certain parish, amidst the hurried rush to get home, a child was
inadvertently left behind. The parents, likely from a distance away, were
heading home when the parish priest contacted them to inform them that their
child was missing. Realizing their mistake, they immediately returned to find
their crying child and took him back into their arms.
On another occasion, I remember visiting a park with ice cream in
hand when we noticed a young girl, perhaps eleven or twelve years old, looking
lost and anxious. Though she didn’t cry, the worry on her face was
unmistakable. An elderly lady, noticing her distress, approached and gently
spoke to her. Learning that the girl had been separated from her father, the
lady took the initiative to call him using the child’s number. When the father
arrived to reunite with his daughter, the joy on her face was palpable as she
ran to hug him tightly.
Today, on the Octave of Christmas, Mother Church celebrates the
Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The feast reminds us of the significance
and sanctity of family life. A family-a unit consisting of a father, mother,
and children-is always a blessing and a gift of grace.
The Liturgy today Highlights the Beauty of Family life through Three
Distinct Readings:
The First reading presents the family of the prophet Samuel,
showing the faith and devotion of his parents, Elkanah and Hannah, as they
dedicate their son to the Lord at Shiloh. The Second Reading from St. John
reminds us that we are all children of God and calls us to live in accordance
with this divine identity. The Gospel narrates the Holy Family’s anxious search
for the boy Jesus, whom they find in the temple after three days, offering
profound lessons about family unity and trust in God.
A family united in the Lord is truly a blessed family. The Holy
Family of Nazareth exemplifies this unity, serving as a model for all families
to invite God’s presence and live according to His precepts.
The First Reading: The Family of the
Prophet Samuel
The First Reading recounts the story of the birth of Samuel, the
first great prophet of Israel and the anointer of kings. Samuel’s birth marked
a turning point in Israel’s history, heralding the establishment of kingship
and the transition of worship from Shiloh to Jerusalem.
Hannah, his mother, was a woman of deep faith and prayer. She
fervently prayed to the Lord for a child, and when her prayers were answered,
she kept her promise by dedicating Samuel to God’s service. As Scripture
records: “So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is
dedicated to the LORD.” (1 Sam 1:28)
Hannah named her son Samuel, meaning “He-who-is-from-God,”
signifying her recognition of God’s blessing in her life. Her unwavering trust
in God’s providence is evident when she declares: “For this boy I prayed, and
the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him” (1 Sam 1:27).
Hannah’s faith-filled life exemplifies the power of a mother’s
prayer in shaping the lives of her children. Throughout Scripture, we see that
faith-filled women like Hannah, the mother of Samson, Elizabeth, and Mary,
played pivotal roles in salvation history. Their trust in God brought forth
figures who would lead and transform the people of God.
In our families today, the faith and prayers of mothers have
similarly nurtured countless saints, priests, and religious leaders. A godly
mother, like Hannah, is a blessing that impacts generations.
In today’s second reading, St. John reminds us of a profound truth:
we are all children of God. How do we feel when someone says, “You are a child
of God”? Does it fill us with joy and hope? It should inspire faith and
enthusiasm within us.
St. John proclaims this truth with great emphasis: “See what love
the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is
what we are.” (1 Jn 3:1).
He reinforces this in the next verse: “Beloved, we are God's
children now” (1 Jn 3:2).
These verses fill us with excitement and grace, reminding us that
we have become children of God because of Christ Jesus, the Son of God, our
Lord and Savior. The season of Christmas beautifully reflects this divine
dimension of our identity. It reminds us that we are God’s children, destined
to see Him as He is when He is revealed to us.
The Characteristics of God’s
Children
As children of God, we are called to live out our identity by:
1. Believing in the name of Jesus Christ and placing our trust in
Him.
2. Keeping His commandments at all times.
3. Pleasing God in all that we do so that our prayers may be
answered.
4. Loving one another, for love is the hallmark of God’s children.
(1 Jn 3:21-24)
If we embrace this divine identity, we can truly build holy
families on earth, modelled after the Holy Family of Nazareth.
The Gospel Reading: The Boy Jesus in
the Temple
Today’s Gospel presents the final episode of the infancy narrative,
where Jesus, for the first time, speaks as a young boy and takes center stage.
The evangelist tells us that Jesus’ parents, being devout Jews, travelled
every year to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. This year, the twelve-year-old
Jesus accompanied them. The Passover, one of three major pilgrimage feasts, was
an eight-day celebration involving significant travel and communal worship (Ex
23:14-17; Deut 16:16).
After the feast, as Mary and Joseph began their journey home, they
realized that Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. This was a moment of great
anxiety for His parents. Imagine their distress as they searched for Him-not
just for one day, but for three days. Surely, they would have been consumed
with worry and possibly even blamed themselves or each other for their
perceived carelessness.
Finding Jesus in the Temple
On the third day, they found Jesus in the temple, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them, and asking questions. Imagine their relief and
amazement when they saw this scene. Not only was their anxiety eased, but they
also witnessed the remarkable wisdom and understanding of their young son: “And
all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” (Lk 2:47).
This moment foreshadowed the impact of Jesus’ teachings during His public
ministry, where His words would similarly astonish and silence His listeners
(Luke 20:26).
Mary, filled with a mother’s concern, spoke first: “Child, why have
you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you
in great anxiety” (Lk 2:48).
Her words reflect a natural expression of a parent’s worry.
However, Jesus responded with clarity: “Why were you searching for me? Did you
not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49)
With this statement, Jesus revealed His unique identity and
mission. He was not in Joseph’s house but in His Heavenly Father’s house,
fulfilling His Father’s work. Though His parents did not fully understand His
words, Mary treasured these moments in her heart (Lk 2:51).
After this event, Jesus returned to Nazareth with His parents and
was obedient to them. The Gospel concludes with a note on Jesus’ growth: “And
Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” (Lk
2:52).
The Holy Family of Nazareth: A Model
for All Families
The Holy Family of Nazareth serves as a beacon of hope and a model
for Christian families. Every Catholic family is called to reflect the
holiness, love, and unity of the Holy Family.
As ministers of the Word, we must promote the beauty of family life
by encouraging values such as nurturing faith-filled children, fostering
fidelity and commitment, and creating homes filled with God’s presence.
We also remember in prayer the broken families and Christian
couples facing difficulties in their family life. May the faith, love, and
holiness that prevailed in the first Holy Family of Nazareth be present in
every family on earth.
May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph bless and protect our families. May we
all become carriers of Christ’s light, bringing reconciliation, unity, peace,
and holiness to our homes and the world.
Points for Personal Reflection
As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, we are
invited to reflect on our own lives and ask: Are we striving to imitate their
example?
Do we, as parents, emulate Mary and Joseph by being obedient to the
Word of God and faithfully carrying out His will in our lives?
Are we, as holy parents, deeply committed to nurturing the faith of
our sons and daughters, helping them grow closer to God?
Do children respect and honour their parents, as emphasized in the
Book of Sirach?
In today’s alternative first reading, we hear a powerful reminder:
“Be kind to your father in his old age.” (Sir 3:12)
How do we treat our parents in their sickness and old age? Do we
care for them with kindness, patience, and love, recognizing their sacrifices
and honouring them as a gift from God?
Every Christian family is called to be a reflection-a miniature
version-of the Holy Family of Nazareth. May this feast inspire us to grow in
holiness, strengthen our familial bonds, and live as true witnesses to the love
and grace of God in our homes.
