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

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the festival of Passover.

This Gospel is a beautiful portrayal of a young Jewish boy, much like any of our own children, who finds himself alone in the Temple of Jerusalem. At twelve years old, he is on the cusp of adulthood. Jesus, the incarnate Messiah, both human and divine, goes to the Temple in Jerusalem without his parents, eager to learn from the teachers and rabbis. In this moment, he is not just the Son of God, but also a boy, much like any other.

His mother, Mary, knows him like no one else can. She knows he was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She has been there for him from the very beginning, nurturing him, feeding him, teaching him to walk. She treasured all these moments in her heart. Joseph, a man of few words, is anxious with Mary. He prays for Jesus, his son.

Jesus tells his parents, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” They do not understand, but Jesus is obedient to them. Mary keeps all these things in her heart. Jesus advances in wisdom, age, and favor before God and people.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s words remind us of the profound significance of the Eucharist in our lives. It is the bond that unites the Christian family. He warns that without the Eucharist, the strength of the family is diminished. On this feast of the Holy Family, we are encouraged to follow the example of Mary and Joseph, who brought Jesus to the Temple to pray and observe the rituals. Let us strive to make the Eucharist the unbreakable bond that keeps our family together.

Prayer

Lord, we learn much as we preach the Gospel, celebrate the Mass, and receive Communion. We pray that the Eucharist may bind us more closely together as members of our own family, the family of the Church, and the human family throughout the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray! Amen.