Sunday, December 30, 2012

 

MEMORIAL, THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

DECEMBER 30, 2012
MEMORIAL, THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 / Col 3; 12-21 or 3:12- 17 or 1 Jn 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24 / Lk 2:41-52

SIRACH 3:2-6, 12-14
For the Lord established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her children. Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself. Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays. Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the Lord gives com fort to his mother. My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives. Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health. For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.

COLOSSIANS 3:12-21
Clothe yourselves, then, as is fitting for God's chosen people, holy and beloved of him. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience to bear with one another and forgive whenever there is any occasion to do so. As the Lord has forgiven you, forgive one another. Above all, clothe yourselves with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. May the peace of Christ overflow in your hearts; for this end you were called to be one body. And be thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you in all its richness. Teach and admonish one another with words of wisdom. With thankful hearts sing to God psalms, hymns and spontaneous praise. And whatever you do or say, do it in the Name of Jesus, the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as you should do in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not get angry with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, because that pleases the Lord. Parents, do not be too demanding of your children, lest they become discouraged.

LUKE 2:41-52
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast. After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it. They thought he was in the company, and after walking the whole day they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem searching for him, and on the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents were very surprised when they saw him, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you." Then 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 this answer. Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in divine and human favor.

REFLECTION
It is disheartening to hear and see the gradual decimation and demise of the family. We are more aware of the realities of broken homes, the single parents' phenomenon, child abuse, and parental addictions. Such scenario is alarming because of its far-reaching consequences. When mothers, fathers or both have to leave their families to earn abroad, there are not only economic gains but also social costs. Is the effort worth it?

The family, no matter what its shortcomings and flaws are, remains the fundamental human connection. None of our families is holy and perfect; each is a combination of all sorts of conflicts, compulsions, and craziness that put to test our love and forgiveness. But in the midst of all that, God remains present. There is no other place to find Him. It is the place where He found us.

Yet the understanding of family has to be expanded. At the center of Jesus' family life and at the center of his ministry is his Father. That relationship is for Jesus the most important in his life because that gives him direction and support that will sustain him in his suffering and death. When Jesus describes his family in Scriptures, he says that it is not a relationship of blood but rather a relationship of fidelity to the Word of God. That is why he said: "My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God and hear it."

Like Jesus, we are thus tasked to focus our lives on the Word of God. Whether we live alone or in a family, whether we have many relatives or none, we can be all part of Jesus' new and expanded family. The only requirement is to hear the Word of God and fulfill it. Since Jesus extended his family, today's Feast of the Holy Family truly belongs to all of us. Look around then and see the people around us are indeed members of our family.

We then pray in gratitude for our respective families both in its usual and expanded meaning. We pray for a greater familiarity and unity of sense as we become better witnesses of God's love.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Alejandro Lecaros
- Renan Lacida
- Chief Sam Rose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Dr Ugo Anyaugo; Mr Ogechi Anyaugo; Barr (Mrs) Barbara Ada Okoronkwo;Engr. Ifeanyi Matt Anyaugo; Mr. Chuba Anyaugo and Mrs Cordelia Anyaugo
… In Memoriam: Rex Owen O. Lucena
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Christopher S. Lim
- Birthday: Rizalito R. Reyes
- Birthday: Allan N. Garcia
- Wedding Anniversary: Joseph & Leslie Peralta
- Wedding Anniversary: Mr. & Mrs. Saturnino Lumboy
- In Memoriam (+): Narciso Yu, Sr.
- In Memoriam (+): Fr. Nestor Manlangit OFM
- In Memoriam (+): Paz Cabrera Bengzon
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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