Your Word o Lord, make us Family
Listening to the Spirit
Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word
so that all your people may know and love You more
and understand You better.
As I go about my day may I not forget
the scriptures you have opened up for me.
Help me to recognize how You want for me
to apply Your Word to my daily life.
Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word,
may You enlighten my mind
and enkindle in my heart
a greater love for You and for others
in my family and in the world.
Amen.
Listening to the Word
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eightyfour. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Reflection
In these days, while celebrating Christmas and the presence of the Lord among us, we have found ourselves happy to share food around the table, coming together as families. It is nice to see on FB families posting pictures of the Christmas Vigil, of their “Noche Buena”, sharing food and exchanging gifts.
The birth of our Lord is a time for the family to gather and celebrate all the blessings the Lord has granted. Unfortunately for some families, this special time is a moment of suffering for different reasons: because the parents are separated, or there are serious difficulties among family members, because of diseases, or because one of the members is working abroad, supporting the family. Distance and the lack of somebody are a reason for pain, especially in these special days.
As families, we look at the Holy One: Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. It is not the perfect family because they went through several difficulties since the beginning: Mary found herself pregnant by the Holy Spirit; Joseph was forced to discern and search the will of God, and Jesus, the Son of God, was born in a manger, in a state of emergency. After a short time, the whole family was forced to escape. They migrated to Egypt. I had a chance to meet an Egyptian Coptic Orthodox priest, who shared with some of us that the Holy Family spent most probably 2-3 years in their country, while they were spared by the persecution of King Herod.
We can see and observe in them the TRUST in the plan of God for each one of them. Mary and Joseph were accustomed to LISTENING to God and LOOKING FOR His will. Therefore, we find them saying YES despite the future not being clear because they knew that everything was fulfilled for the love towards them and the people whom He loves. They were a family able to listen to God and one another. Hopefully, it is the same for our families. It is useless to say how much husband and wife need to talk, listen, and share. How much families need to have free time, have fun together, and prayer. Blessed are those families coming together and giving praise to the Lord.
Moreover, the Holy Family shows us another “strange” aspect: the obedience to the Word of God as a stronger binding among family members.
In today’s gospel, everything in these scenes smells of pacified bonds, with oneself and with others. Simeon, Anna, Mary, and Joseph, the child Jesus: the bonds are made solid and pacified by the common reference to the Word, promised in the ancient Scriptures and now fulfilled in the child of Bethlehem. That's where everything comes together, and that's where everything is reborn. Not flesh and blood, but COMMON OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD makes communion possible everywhere and in every kind of relationship.
Reflection Questions
Gospel Reflections
Allowing Jesus to Change Us
Who Is Jesus for Me? From Encounter to Mission
