Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6,12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
The Feast of the Holy Family has only been celebrated officially in the Church for 100 years. Having just celebrated the Birth of Jesus, we are now celebrating His earthly father and mother who take care of Him.
However, when we think of Jesus later mentioning the family, He openly questions the terminology of a nuclear family. He rather refers to a kind of “Family of Faith”.
In Ecclesiasticus or Sirach, the Book of Wisdom, the duties according to one of the Ten Commandments is described as to “Honour your father and mother”. In Ecclesiasticus 2 the focus is on the trust in God. If we trust in God, we have nothing to fear. God is like a father to us.
In this passage, the perfect father is described: a father who cares and takes care; a father who protects and provides.
The mother is described as having rights over her children – a right that is also protected by the father. There is no mentioning of daughters. The passage is about the sons, the heirs in a patriarchal system.
If we see the terms father and mother in a wider sense, we could regard them as the heirs and protectors and those who are true carers. This is what a human family needs, and if these roles are fulfilled, there will be peace on earth. Justice and compassion will rule, and even if people get old and weak, they will not be despised. True solidarity is the foundation of a peaceful community.
Paul reiterates the message of compassion, kindness, patience and forgiveness.
In his Letter to the Colossians, he refers in this context to the ‘Peace of Christ’ that would reign in our hearts. This peace depends on solidarity and on the knowledge that we need one another in order to become one body in Christ. All our knowledge and skills make up the one body in Christ. Each part of this body has a specific role to play. Authority and power come with responsibility, and all action must come out of wisdom and love.
Our Gratitude needs to be so sincere that we sing for joy in the knowledge of our Father in Heaven.
Joseph, who, in a dream, was asked to take Mary for his wife and to look after her and the child, now has another dream in which the angel of the Lord gives him a message. He is asked to leave his home and escape to Egypt to keep mother and child safe. He doesn’t hesitate. Just like Joseph in the Old Testament whom his brothers wanted to kill came to Egypt from where he later saved the Israelites, Joseph is asked to save Jesus from being killed – and Jesus would become our Saviour.
Joseph is ready to act according to the angel’s word. He leaves when he is told to leave and he returns when he is asked to return. Even the new home of Nazareth is not a coincidence.
Matthew reminds us that Jesus’ life is the fulfilment of the Scriptures: ‘I called my son out of Egypt.’ and ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’
It is interesting to see that today’s story refers to the time after the Wise Men left while their visit is traditionally celebrated around 6 January.
However, the focus today is on the Holy Family and Joseph keeping Jesus and His mother safe.
As we are remembering the Holy Family, let us remember all those who are family to us and to whom we are family – protecting and supporting each other in the knowledge that if one part of the body is not well, the other parts are also suffering.
BM
