The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The assigned readings are Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; and Luke 2:41-52. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 128 (Psalm 128:1-5).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him,
they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

Reflection on this feast:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Holy Family (December 30, 2012)

Msgr. Charles Pope: Recovering God’s Plan for Marriage and Family: A Sermon on the Feast of the Holy Family (29 DEC 12)

The Deacon’s Bench: Homily for December 30, 2012: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (29 DEC 12)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Feast of the Holy Family: Piety . . . in the 21st Century?

The Sacred Page: The Joy and Challenge of Family Life: Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family (27 DEC 12)

Word on Fire: Sermon 625: What Makes a Family Holy: Feast of the Holy Family

Dr. Scott Hahn: Our True Home (December 30th 2012 - Feast of the Holy Family)

The New Theological Movement: What Jesus taught Mary when he was "lost", and then found (29 DEC 12)

The Word Engaged: God Made Flesh (Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph C)

Vatican Radio: Feast of the Holy Family - 30 Dec 2012

For additional reflection:

Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II: Familiaris Consortio (On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World) (22 NOV 1981)