The Holy Family goes to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. St Luke, in his usual way of powerful understatement, says that they did this "as was their custom". They were in the habit of celebrating the Passover.

A family which truly desires to be strong in moral formation and spiritual development must develop habits and routines which help bring about these. We must carry out repeatedly those activities which build character, family life and a closeness to Jesus. Without this, our desires are simply wishes or fantasies.

The family is also a training ground which allows the young to mature into adults. There is a time to be together and a time for independent action. The prudent parent does not want to control and enslave the child. Rather, wise parents provide abundant examples of good moral living and know how to measure amounts of freedom and responsibility. Jesus returns to Nazareth with His earthly parents out of loving obedience. He grows in wisdom and age. But, there will come a time when Jesus must leave and proclaim the kingdom. Mary and Joseph are helping Jesus to prepare for this day.

The wise man, Sirach, indicated that a loving family relationship is possible when we allow the Lord to be the centre of that relationship.