Walking with Jesus: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

For Sunday, December 31, 2023

Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-36; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40

We have just completed an unusual and very exciting week: Christmas Eve, the fourth Sunday of Advent, and Christmas Day on Monday. Today we are celebrating the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, New Year’s Eve; and tomorrow the solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, New Year’s Day. We have heard multiple readings on the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan for humanity: sending His Son, Jesus, to tell us of the absolute complete love God has for all humanity from the beginning, and the witnessing of that love in Jesus’ life, horrible death and glorious resurrection.

No doubt during these days we have had momentary glimmers of God’s love in those around us: from the little ones so excited about their presents and the lights and decorations; the visits and celebrations with families, sharing memories, laughs and loves; and even remembering how blessed we are to have the families and friends who have passed, both recent and ages ago — for, by their actions, they have cemented in our minds the meaning of deep, sacrificial caring and love. God has blessed, and continues to bless us, with the rich meaning of His love ... culminating in our reunion with Him and our loved ones forever in heaven. Let us take moments in that quiet, safe place within to let God continue to let us know the meaning of life and His love. Our readings today and tomorrow give insight into God’s loving plan and help us reflect deeper.

Genesis stresses the giftedness of Isaac. In Old Testament times, childlessness is viewed as a curse; although it is a cause of sadness, it is not a penalty from God. We hear the story of Abraham and Sarah and the birth of Isaac today. There are more stories of barren women who give birth: Rebekah (Jacob and Esau), Rachel, Samson’s mother, Hannah, Samuel’s mother, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and the birth of John the Baptist [Luke 1:5]. Today we hear how Abraham is sad and worried since he has no heir, even after God has promised one and numerous descendants. Today’s story, like the others, stresses the great faith of Abraham and Sarah who trust in a God whom they really didn’t know that well. Along with the other barren families, they pass their faith on to their children who are nourished by prayer and their loving actions to others.

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews — especially chapter 11 — draws upon the people and events of the Old Testament to paint a vivid description of religious faith, especially in times of obstacles and conflicts. These pages give us a masterful description of people of faith and how to live it when it's not easy. The narrative is a masterpiece and is developed chronologically: Hebrews 11:3-7 draws upon Genesis 1-9; Hebrews 11:8-22 draws from the period of the patriarchs; Hebrews 11:23-31 from the time of Moses; and Hebrews 11:32-38 from the history of the judges, prophets and the Maccabean martyrs. All have faced adversity … all know they are called by God to show God’s plan of salvation and love. These are trials we encounter every day — we need God too.

We hear Luke’s account of Jesus’ presentation in the temple: The Law of Moses requires the firstborn to be consecrated to the Lord. Its origin is derived from 1 Samuel 1:24-28 when Hannah offers her child Samuel. The law further stipulates that the parents should give “payment” to a member of the priestly family (Numbers 3:47-48). Luke is quiet about this stipulation. The Lord has promised Simeon that he will see the Messiah, the Christ, before his earthly life ends. Simeon prophesies that Jesus’ role in the world will bring much suffering upon Mary and Joseph. Mary will thus see her role from a much larger perspective. Tradition tells us that Joseph passes on to the Lord sometime between Jesus' “preaching in the temple” at age 12 and when He starts His ministry in His later 20s. Mary will have to take on more than the role of mother for the sake of her Son’s mission of saving us and all humanity. “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” (Luke 3:49) Recounting their journey up to Jerusalem, Luke implies that the journey of faith is not a solitary one but is meant to be undertaken in community with family. It definitely has its ups and downs. What children do to the parents can be troubling and heart-rending; at the end of chapter 2, Jesus seems oblivious to His parents' concern. Like Jesus we can and do receive grace to grow in wisdom, knowing the Lord is with us. We respond … we doubt … we reject … yet GOD IS ALWAYS SHOWING HIS LOVE AND IS LEADING US AT ALL TIMES CLOSER TO HIMSELF. Do we let God be God to us?

So I reflect on:

• The reading in Genesis spans chapters 15 through 21 … and a lot happens besides the renaming of Abram to Abraham. I can enlighten my faith by reading those chapters. Do I let myself learn and grow in my faith by reading Scripture?
• I imagine myself as a “star in the sky.” I am in a specific spot and time in creation in God’s family. Who am I in my family? How am I a “specific star” in the beauty of God’s star-filled night sky?

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“We had Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, and Simeon and Anna, though the latter were not a couple as such. All shared a vision and were open to God’s ways. Jesus was central. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple and made their offering, as they were a family of faith. We pray for the wisdom to live our faith and present Jesus to others as a guide in life.

“Life in a quiet village such as Nazareth was ordinary in many ways. Jesus grew and became strong. He was maturing in faith as well as humanly, for He was ‘filled with wisdom: and the favor of God was upon Him.’ May we continue to grow in maturity, both humanly and spiritually.”