Gospel Reading: Luke 2:41-52
His parents found Jesus sitting in the midst of the teachers.
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.
Saint’s Words:
Through God’s mysterious design, it was in that family [the Holy Family] that the Son of God spent long years of a hidden life. It is therefore the prototype and example for all Christian families. It was unique in the world. Its life was passed in anonymity and silence in a little town in Palestine. It underwent trials of poverty, persecution, and exile. It glorified God in an incomparably exalted and pure way. And it will not fail to help Christian families – indeed, all the families in the world – to be faithful to their day-to-day duties, to bear the cares and tribulations of life, to be open and generous to the needs of others, and to fulfill with joy the plan of God in their regard.
– Pope John Paul II (Familiaris Consortio, 86)
Family Prayer to the Holy Family
O Heavenly Father, our loving God,
you have given us the Holy Family as our patron
to bless and guide our families
that the fruit of the Holy Spirit,
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control,
shall reign in our homes.
As husbands and wives,
teach us to love our spouses more than ever.
As parents, give us wisdom and knowledge
in rearing our offsprings to be responsible
and successful Christians forever.
As brothers and sisters,
may we learn to care and support for one another
and be of inspiration to each other.
As children, teach us to be obedient
just as Jesus showed obedience
and respect to Mary and Joseph.
As Christians, melt us, mold us, fill us, and use us,
in spreading the good news in our community
that they may see Christ in us.
When trials come, help us to face them
with trusting faith and confidently hope
that all things work for good for those who love God.
May we have a happy holy family forever through Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, our miraculous patron,
the adorable Holy Family.
Amen.
