Reflection:     
The world, with all its advancements supposedly in the field of child psychology and so-called modern parenting, for as long as it does not fully embrace the values of Christ, will continue to experience some kind of dysfunction at the core unit of society, which is the family.

The Word for the whole month of December, which is: “Disciples of Christ prepare with vigilance and rejoicing for Christ’s coming” emphasizes the need for every Christian to bring Christ into his home not just during the Season of Advent but every day of the year.

This final week of December with the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family has for its Theme: We celebrate the coming of Christ when we honor and obey the commandments of God.  Obedience is the overriding spirit of Christ’s life from the time His coming was announced to His parents, throughout His childhood up to His ministry and passion.  A child learns obedience in the family first to his father and mother and later on to God as influenced by his parents.  Thus, God’s favor settles upon the father and mother, and eventually passes on to the child when he sets off on his own.  We are heartened by the Promise this week from Psalm 128: 1-2: “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord and walks in His ways.  For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork, blessed shall you be, and favored.” 

First Reading: The Obligation of Children (Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14)
A particularly moving portion in the First Reading that of Sirach says: “My son, take care of your father when he is old, grieve him not as long as he lives.  Even if his mind fails, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength.”  (Sir. 3: 12-13)  The love of children for their parents is precious in God’s eyes.  The world today influence children to think that it is purely the obligation of parents to rear and educate their children.  And later on in life, they move out, become successful and somehow seem to have no sense of indebtedness whatsoever.

In a home where love seems to be inadequate, we can expect such responses from children.  While genuine parental love means providing for children’s temporal needs, the building up of children’s spiritual character is of foremost importance.  This is achieved only when true and self-less love abounds in the home.  Love begets love.  Thus, children reciprocate likewise with love for their parents, not out of obligation but out of heartfelt gratitude.

Early in our Community life we are taught that the Fourth Commandment of honoring one’s father and mother is the only commandment that comes with a promise of long and prosperous life.  Sirach from verse 3 to 6 elaborates on the promises such as: they will earn great wealth in front of God, their sins will be forgiven, they will have a long and happy life with children of their own, and their prayers will always be heard.

A simple check: How many of us have been remiss in visiting our aging parents regularly even just to see how they are?

Second Reading: The Role of Parents (Colossians 3: 12-21)
Before we begin to think that the readings for The Feast of the Holy Family are all about children’s attitudes and responsibilities towards parents, St. Paul in Colossians balances our first reading.  The family is likewise where we first learn about and experience “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,” (Col. 3: 12-13).  It is for everyone to put on as though a garment — a garment of love so that the peace of Christ can control our hearts.

Husbands are advised to love their wives and not to provoke their children so as not to embitter them or discourage them, (Col. 3: 19-21).  St. Paul elaborates further on this in Ephesians 5, saying that men as husbands and as fathers must love those closest to him and entrusted to him.

Fatherhood is a very special gift and a special responsibility.  First of all, men should conduct themselves as fathers even to their spouse, meaning, they should treat their wives with such loving care and tenderness as they would treat their fragile little daughter.  He protects them and guides them to be humble, proper and holy both in the way they speak and act in the sight of God and man.  Secondly, as father to his children, he likewise molds them to have the strength of character and integrity they would need when they go out into the world.

The Gospel: The Holy Family as Model Family; Jesus as Model Son (Luke 2: 41-52)
A young teenager beginning to flex his independence or parents momentarily losing their child in a mall or supermarket — these are common modern-day experiences.  There are however three things that may be worth mentioning:

1. “I must be in my Father’s house” reading the part about Mary asking, “Son, why have you done this to us?”  And Jesus replying in such fashion can be misinterpreted as disrespect.  But these passages give us several insights:
a) While Jesus may have been fully aware that He is the Son of God, this was enhanced by the guidance of Joseph and Mary.  Joseph and Mary imparted into Jesus’ human heart the abiding love for the Father.  Parents today should impart to their children a deep love for God, a burning desire to be with the Father and that they too are children of God.
b) The gentleness of Joseph and Mary shows their respect for their child even at His young age.  There were no hysterics, just a gentle question.  Of course, after being “lost” for almost three days, any parent would just be relieved to have their child back.  However, when Jesus replied that He must be in His Father’s house, though the parents did not understand His response, Mary remained silent and simply “kept all these things in her heart,” meaning, she just kept to herself to contemplate on what had transpired and what had been said.  From Mary we learn about gentleness and giving children some space.

2. “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.”  Perhaps, as a growing teenager, Jesus was exercising a little independence, a little “distancing” — something that any normal teenager would do.  But Jesus also knew how to discern even from His mother’s words and actions what the Father expects of Him.  Jesus discerned from Mary’s question that it was not yet His time to be “about His Father’s business” (as other bible translations would have it).  Seventeen years later, He would again discern the Father’s will from His mother’s words, “Son, they have no more wine.”  This time Mary was telling Him that it was His time.  Jesus always discerned the action of the Holy Spirit in His mother.

Going back to the temple in Jerusalem, where was Joseph throughout this solemn exchange between Mother and Son?  Joseph had not said a word.  But he had not been passive.  We’d like to think that Joseph beamed with pride at his Son’s answer, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2: 49).  Jewish tradition dictates that the education of the son is the responsibility of the father.  So, for about thirteen years, Joseph must have taught Jesus about His Father in heaven.  Joseph was not a jealous earthly father who knew that Jesus was not his own flesh and blood yet he knew his responsibility as a father to teach his son about His real Father in heaven as all fathers should.  Here, Jesus gave his earthly father the highest honor by proclaiming what Joseph had been teaching Him that He must be “about (His) Father’s business”, “that (He) must be in (His) Father’s house.”

Reflection Question: 
Perhaps, we have made a number of mistakes in dealing with family members before joining Community that has resulted in deep hurts.  But love is never late.  What do you need to do in order to begin or continue the process of healing within the family or between you and a member of your family?  Ask God to help you first acknowledge your own shortcomings.

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
December 30, 2012 (Sun)    Sir 3:2-6,1-14/ Ps128:1-5/ Col 3:12-21/ Lk 2:41-52 or
1Sm 20-22,24-28/ Ps 84:2,3,5,6,9,10/ 1Jn 3:1,2,21-24/
Lk 2:51-52
December 31, 2012 (Mon)    1Jn 2:18-21/ Ps 96:1,2,11,12,13/ Jn 1:1-18
January 1, 2013 (Tues)        Nm 6:22-27/ Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8
January 2, 2013 (Wed)        1Jn 2:22-28/ Ps 98:1-4/ Jn 1:19-28
January 3, 2013 (Thur)         1Jn 2:29-3:6/ Ps 98:1,3-6/ Jn 1:29-34
January 4, 2013 (Fri)            1Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98:7-9/ Jn 1:35-42
January 5, 2012 (Sat)          1Jn 3:11-21/ Ps 100:1-5/ Jn 1:43-51

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

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