Feast of the Holy Family (Lk. 2:22-40) “Family Values”
Feast of the Holy Family (Lk. 2:22-40) “Family Values”
Every Sunday we come here to humbly worship our God. We want to please God. People of faith, no matter what their religion, follow laws that we believe are inspired by God. When we try to explain why we engage in certain rituals we might hesitate. But the truth is that we want to express our love for God. Love of others demands that we make sacrifice. Love of God inspires us to worship.
We here in the reading that we have in the Gospel of Luke that Mary and Joseph are fulfilling the dictates of the Law of the Lord. The writer says that five times in what is presented today. Obviously, the writer wants us to recognize that Jesus came from a religious family.
The author of Luke was writing to a Gentile audience. He himself wasn’t quite sure of Jewish religious practice. He mixes two religious ceremonies together here. We hear of a sacrifice that was made for the purification of Mary. Whenever a woman gave birth, she was rendered unclean. The individual was supposed to refrain from mixing with others until the proper amount of time had passed. Also, an animal sacrifice was supposed to take place to complete the rite of purification. Another ritual was that of dedicating the first-born male child to the Lord. Each boy who was born first in a family was dedicated to the Lord’s service. Mary and Joseph observed these customs.
Jesus, of course, was passive in all of this. He didn’t choose to be initiated into the Jewish faith. Nor did he choose to be dedicated to the Lord’s service, but his parents chose to do this. All Jewish customs were followed.
After these things were done Simeon and Anna arrived. With all celebrations of birth there is a mixture of joy and trepidation. Simeon and Ana reflect those feelings. We see them react with joy. The long wait for the arrival of the anointed one was over. But then we have a prophecy that seems to come out of nowhere. Simeon tells Mary and Joseph:
“Behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many ….
and to be a sign that will be contradicted and (to Mary) a sword of sorrow will pierce your heart.”
We can imagine that these words could be uttered to any mother and father as they look at newborn children. Despite the best parenting, children often go astray. Most sons and daughters make mistakes in life. We hope that when our children make poor choices, they don’t have lasting repercussions. But at times this happens. We can’t ensure that every child we raise will be sin free.
One thing that is certain about family life is its uncertainty. Family life is a mystery that slowly unfolds over time. The faint of heart don’t establish families. Perhaps that is why we have so many people who remain single today. Getting married, starting a family, is just too scary. To enter any vocation is a gamble. But is playing it safe satisfying?
In the marriage ritual of the church that was used many years ago there is an instruction that is very realistic. The instruction is also very poetic. It is said before a husband and wife pronounce their vows:
“The union you enter is most serious, because it will bind you together for life in a relationship so close and so intimate that it will profoundly influence your whole future. That future, with its hopes and disappointments, its successes and its failures, its pleasures and its pains, its joys and its sorrows, is hidden from your eyes. You know these elements are mingled in every life and are to be expected in your own. And so, not knowing what is before you, you take each other for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you part.”
The holidays cause families to reconnect. Most of the time that leads to happy memories. Other times family gatherings remind us of old wounds. The joy and the pain are real. Family life is a beatitude. Sometimes family life may seem like a trial, but it is always something has the potential of drawing us closer to the mystery of God. And that is what makes living in a family a sacred undertaking.
Reflection Questions:
Did I come from a perfect family? What were some of our family struggles?
Are family difficulties always a curse? What is a part of my family history that was hard but caused me to grow?
Dear Parishioners,
On Sunday January 7th we will be celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany. One of the things we have done in past years has been to have an appreciation party for our parish volunteers. COVID and our construction caused us to forgo this party. We will be reinstating this tradition at the Damian Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on the 7th. There will be free refreshments for all who come. This is an open house so people can come and go as they please. Spend five minutes or two hours. Hopefully, people will feel free to relax since the Christmas rush is over. Please join us.
A few days ago, I learned of the death of Fr. Duane Jack, who was a co-pastor at Sacred Heart in the 1970’s. His funeral will be at Christ the King in Moline. At this point, the service will be on Friday morning.
I have known Fr. Jack since I was in grade school. His first assignment was in Kewanee. He grew up in the Quad Cities, he went to Alleman, and he spent most of the rest of his life serving in our area. He is probably best known for being the Cursillo Program’s spiritual director. He helped thousands of people to grow closer to Christ over almost fifty years. He did as much if not more than any priest in the area to evangelize others.
Fr. Jack was very humble and unpretentious. His ministry was never about him. He served the Lord with all his energy. He was never in robust health, but he continued to minister until shortly before his death. He was a priest we all could depend on. He did not vacation too much but found his joy in being present when people needed him. His love of the Lord was evident to all.
Let’s pray for Fr. Jack and his family and for all who mourn him.
Blessings,
Fr. Mark