29 Dec
Sun
SUNDAY IN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Ecclus 3: 2-6, 12-14
Ps 127: 1-5
Col 3: 12-21
Lk. 2:41-52
(Ps Wk I)
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The Feast of the Holy Family invites us to understand that God is at work in a socially “imperfect”family and to imbibe the family’s faithfulness to their Jewish roots. Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. At 12 years of age, Jesus was also there to perform his Bar Mitzvah, a coming of age ceremony when a Jewish boy is officially considered ad adult, thereby becoming a son of the commandments (mitzvah). The apparent difference is Jesus’comprehension of the law which amazes the teachers at the temple courts.

The reaction of Joseph and Mary to Jesus’ disappearance was normal because a lost child in the great city during a major festival is as big a concern as it would be today. Their anxiety contrasts with the calmness of their son who displayed all the normal traits of a teenager. Although His parents did not understand His action, Jesus nevertheless submitted to their authority and grew “in wisdom, in stature and in favour with God and men.” (v52)

The Holy Family was not hyper-religious nor socially outstanding in a way that may attract sensationalism. It is their normality that allows every family to imitate them to fulfill the roles God has entrusted them. Mary treasured this as a holy humane eperience of the family. For God calls and graces every family to become holy and none is outside this call.



Dear Lord, You have placed everyone in a family, may each role in the family be appreciated deeply.



DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day jul be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE
Let us pray that this Jubilee strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
Elaboration

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