GROW AS A DISCIPLE
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These are the attributes Paul instructs the Colossians in today’s reading to “put on” or to “clothe” themselves with. It’s quite a list, isn’t it? Paul goes on to talk about the virtues of the Christian family, which is fitting for today’s Feast of the Holy Family. It is reasonable to expect, then, that the Gospel passage would follow through by expounding on the virtues of the perfect family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Instead, in Luke’s Gospel, we have the only story in all of Scripture of Jesus’ childhood. The only one that shows the specific interactions of them as a family – it tells the story of Jesus at age 12 who stays in Jerusalem without Mary and Joseph knowing and who are unable to find him for days. Prayerfully reflecting on this unique glimpse of the Holy Family working through misunderstandings, fear, and hurt helps us relate even more to the true humanness of Jesus and the Holy Family.
GO
In the Holy Family, we see a model of relationship in human form. We are part of a holy family as well: we are children of God. And like Mary and Joseph, our family is enriched and strengthened when we are attentive to the presence of Jesus in our lives. Luke writes: “[Mary] kept all these things in her heart.” Like Mary, let us strive to hold Jesus’ words and commandments in our hearts so we can focus on God’s divine plan for our lives. In the next line of Paul’s letter offering us the “tools” for loving relationships (compassion – patience) he adds, “bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” In other words: love. We must put Jesus, who is love, at the center of our relationships and do everything in his name. Then our family, and our lives, will be holy indeed.
SING
Mary, mother of faithful love;
Joseph, gentle and humble man of God; Jesus, Son of Mary,
Bless, guide, and protect the families you created.