The shepherds hurriedly went and found Mary and Joseph and the newborn baby lying in the manger (Luke 2:16).

 

A special family: THE FAMILY OF NAZARETH. What makes it so special? There is no need to go around in circles to arrive at the most plausible answer: Jesus is the reason for its existence. It is a home founded on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE; an environment where the evangelical counsels are presented in their most perfect form: poverty, chastity and obedience. We cannot place such a family on any other level than that of being a place of divine manifestation, of the leadership of the New Humanity, of the encounter between the divine and the human, between the One who empties Himself and the humanity that elevates itself, of the “divine commerce: humanization of God and divinization of man”; a place to which desperate eyes turn in the hope of liberation, dignity and peace. 2. Certainly, many families, from a human point of view, identify with the family structure of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, because many are adopted, many, consequently, are adoptive parents, adoptive mothers, among others. It is possible for each person to find in the home of Nazareth a light for their own experience and relational life, being able to go beyond the purely natural and not fear advancing more deeply into the beauty of a family according to God's mind: full of faith, love and hope, detachment, temperance, unity and fidelity, introducing nothing else into their midst other than the presence of Jesus Christ. Even those who live in orphanages and shelters can, through a profound experience of faith, understand and create, where they live, an authentic family form in the light of the human family of Jesus. Many mistakenly use family concepts derived from the incredible creations of men and women who have distorted their legitimate faith; cases that are not rare throughout the world. The definition of family cannot be given based on any interpretation or situation. What defines family life is that which determines it, which grounds it and gives it support. There will be no family where truth does not take center stage, where self-giving love is diminished, where life is relativized and faith is insignificant. The human family has its reason for being only in God. 3. A family obedient to the Law of God. The family of Nazareth complies with the law established in Dt 16:16-17, going to Jerusalem every year for the feast of Passover. As is customary, they must offer a gift in the Temple, but Luke’s text does not speak directly about what Mary and Joseph offered. However, it is indirectly saying that the gift offered is Jesus himself, who, having reached maturity in faith, is aware that he belongs entirely to the Father. Mary and Joseph need to return to their daily lives, but Jesus is aware that he must always return to the will of the Father, remain with Him and care for His plan. Daily life is important, but it is relative; life in communion with God is absolute. The best part, therefore, as Jesus himself said to Martha, is to remain before the Lord, listening to Him, as Mary did. Jesus’ communion with the Father has existed since all eternity, and on earth it is expressed in the visibility of an incarnate Son, obedient to his human parents and in an empty way: Jesus is obedient, intelligent, attentive, determined, authentic, chaste, celibate, pure, confident, aware of his identity, mission and how he should be among us, and free. 4. After a day of walking, Mary and Joseph begin to look for Jesus among their relatives and acquaintances. Luke is categorical: if they want to find the Savior, they must go to the place where His heart is. Jesus loves His earthly relatives, but His heart is with the Father. In searching for their son, Mary and Joseph remind everyone who was lost with the death of Jesus. They did not know what to do, where to go, where to find Him now. Here there is an obvious allusion to the Christian Easter: first to the harshness of death and then to the resurrection. In this case, it can be said that it is not Jesus who is lost, but the one who seeks Him. He is in the Father's house, waiting for those who seek Him and can understand Him. This waiting does not mean that He does not take the initiative for salvation. In fact, He has already taken the initiative by coming into the world, but He also waits for man's response, for man to come to Him, even when surrounded by the anguish and uncertainty of the present time, but with confidence. If we want true transformation of humanity, we need to enlighten people so that they begin to seek Jesus, the absolute Revelation of the Father. There will only be a true family when everyone understands that Jesus Christ is the Reason for being and the only Path to fulfillment.

The shepherds hurriedly went and found Mary and Joseph and the newborn baby lying in the manger (Luke 2:16).

As people loved and chosen by God, we celebrate this feast in communion with all our families. Invited to imitate the virtues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let us contemplate the Holy Family, a model of mutual love and care and obedience to the divine will. First Reading: Sirach 3:3-7, 14-17 The liturgy of the Word shows us God’s plan for our families. Let us welcome the Word of life and allow ourselves to be enlightened by it, so that we may follow paths that build family life. A reading from the Book of Sirach – 3God honors the father in his children and confirms the authority of the mother over them. 4Whoever honors his father will have his sins forgiven; he will avoid committing them and will be heard in daily prayer. 5Whoever respects his mother is like one who lays up treasure. 6Whoever honors his father will rejoice in his children, and on the day he prays, he will be heard. 7Whoever respects his father will have a long life, and whoever obeys his father is a comfort to his mother. 14My son, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him while he lives. 15Even if he is losing his sense of humor, be understanding toward him; do not humiliate him all the days of his life. The love shown to your father will not be forgotten, 16but it will make amends for your sins, 17and in righteousness it will be for your building up. – The word of the Lord. Optional reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28. Responsorial Psalm: 127(128) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! 1. Blessed are you who fear the Lord / and walk in his ways! / From the work of your hands you will live, / you will be happy, / everything will be fine! – R. 2. Your wife is a fruitful vine / in the heart of your house; / your children are olive shoots / around your table. – R. 3. So shall every man be blessed / who fears the Lord. / May the Lord bless you from Zion / every day of your life. – R. Optional Psalm: 83(84),2-3.5-6.9-10. Second Reading: Colossians 3,12-21 Reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians – Brothers, 12you are loved by God, his chosen saints. Therefore clothe yourselves with sincere compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, 13bearing with one another and forgiving one another if any of you has a grievance against another. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14Above all, love one another, for love is the bond of perfection. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which as members of one body you were called. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you in all its richness. Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiving in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through him give thanks to God the Father. 18Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be rude to them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is good and right in the Lord. 21Fathers, do not intimidate your children, or they will become discouraged. – The Word of the Lord. Optional reading: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24. Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts / and may his word dwell richly in you! (Col 3:15ff) – R. Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke – 41Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast as usual. 43After the Passover, they began their journey back, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, and his parents did not notice him. 44Supposing he was in the caravan, they traveled a whole day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. 47All who heard the boy were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” 49Jesus answered them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50But they did not understand the words that he said to them. 51Then Jesus went down to Nazareth with his parents and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. – Word of salvation.