The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - Feast
In the Octave of Christmas
Today we honor family life in general by
pausing to ponder the particular and beautiful hidden life within the home of
Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In many ways, their daily life together would have been
very similar to other families at that time. But in other ways, their life
together is entirely unique and provides us with a perfect model for all
families.
By God’s providence and design, the family
life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was spoken of in the Scripture very little. We
read of the birth of Jesus, the presentation in the Temple, the flight into
Egypt and the finding of Jesus in the Temple at age twelve. But other than
these stories of their life together, we know very little.
The line from today’s Gospel quoted above
does, however, give us some insight worth pondering. First, we see that this
family “fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord…” Though this is
in reference to Jesus being presented in the Temple, it should also be understood
to apply to all aspects of their life together. Family life, just like our
individual lives, must be ordered by the laws of our Lord.
The primary law of the Lord regarding family
life is that it must share in the very unity and “communion of love” found in
the life of the Most Holy Trinity. Each person of the Holy Trinity has perfect
respect for the other, gives selflessly to each other without reserve, and
receives each person in their totality. It is their love that makes them one
and enables them to act together in perfect harmony as a communion of divine
Persons. Though Saint Joseph was not immaculate in his nature, the perfection
of love did live in his divine Son and in his immaculate wife. This
overwhelming gift of their perfect love would have daily drawn him into the
perfection of their lives.
Ponder your own closest relationships today.
If you are blessed with a close family, ponder them. If not, ponder the persons
put into your life who you are called to love with familial love. Who are you
to be there for in good times and in bad? Who are you to sacrifice your life
for without reserve? Who are you to offer respect, compassion, time, energy,
mercy, generosity and every other virtue? And how well do you fulfill this duty
of love?
Reflect, today, upon the fact that God wants
you to share in a communion of life, not only with the Most Holy Trinity but
also with those around you, especially your family. Try to ponder the hidden
life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and seek to make their family relationship the
model for how you love others. May their perfect communion of love be a model
for us all.
Lord, draw me into the life, love and
communion that You lived with Your Immaculate Mother and Saint Joseph. I offer
You myself, my family and all those to whom I am called to love with a special
love. May I imitate Your family love and life in all my relationships. Help me
to know how to change and grow so that I may more fully share in Your family
life. Jesus, I trust in You.
Source: My Catholic Life
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