HOLY IN ALL SIMPLICITY... That's the Family!

Dec. 30, 2011

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

Gn 15,1-6.21,1-3  or Hb 11,8.11-12.17-19

Lk 2,22-40

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This day is usually celebrated in the Philippines as Rizal Day, the day when the great Philippine patriot died a martyr's death for the independence of our country. Call him a masonic heretic or whatever, we can still examine his early life as a Catholic and see that he grew a really splendid childhood in the guidance of his parents, Don Francisco Rizal and Doña Teodora Alonso. From the basic Latin Catholic prayers under his mother's tutelage to the first schooling in Biñan upon his father's decision, we can see Jose grow in Christian and scholastic wisdom thanks to the help of his parents. Perhaps without Teodora and Francisco, we could never have the great man in history as Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal.

As we ponder much on the nationalism brought about by this day, we also look on our faith and see that we are also celebrating the Feast of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the humble and simple, yet sanctified Family of Nazareth. The three main characters of this family show how God chose to save the human race, that is through the basic unit of society, the family. Beyond the usual glam and pomp of families and clans of the old ages and even of the present era, especially those of 'royal' lineage, we see these three people in all their simplicity: Joseph the silent carpenter, Mary the hardwoking mother, and Jesus the one subject to their guidance on Earth. Nothing can be seen in them as special, except the fact that they work and pray in God's favor.

The Gospel episode for today, the last Friday of 2011, revolves on the presentation of the infant Jesus to the temple. In order to fulfill the demands of the law, Jesus' parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem to be presented to God, along with their sacrifices so that Mary may be purified in the sight of the Jews. As we may hear, it is the custom that every male which opens the womb is to be consecrated to the Lord. This is one important event in the life of the Jewish family, and we can imagine the immense joy that a couple has in offering the firstborn male as a sign of gratitude to God who created them and gave them everything they need.

He who is God-made-flesh is presented to God, in order to confirm his saving mission which he had from the moment of birth. Mary who is ever-virgin is cleansed in the sight of the law, confirming the maternal mission entrusted to her of taking care of her Son who is Emmanuel. Joseph, as we may realize, is silent in this episode, as in the other Gospel accounts; he is the one who carefully ponders in his heart the wonder of God which is taking place in his wife and son. Through this, Joseph himself is becoming sanctified with God's wonders.

What's more in this episode? We see two witnesses confirming the child's saving mission in the years to come. Simeon the old man who cradled Jesus in his arms and proclaimed, Now Lord, you may take your servant! My own eyes have seen the salvation you prepared for us!  Anna who also came in that  moment telling the passers-by that the salvation has come. It is clear to these two Jews, as we hope we do know, that this family has something special to do for our sake: Jesus, the destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, Mary, whose heart shall be pierced with a sword, and Joseph the silent witness and guardian of the Holy Mother and Child.

Though they appear to us a simple and humble people, they still have a special role in our salvation. In order for Jesus to fulfill his saving act, he must first undergo the tutelage of his parents. Without their guidance, Jesus would never grow up as we know him. He would grow radical, not as a holy man but rather as a barbaric person. We may not even know Jesus at all! 

See, Joseph and Mary has much to do to make Jesus who he is. As parents, they had the hard role of molding him and making him a worthy person and favorable in the eyes of God. Parents as they are, they fulfilled their prime responsibility, and of this they are venerated and acclaimed.

Look at our families today, and ask ourselves: As parents, do we still guide our children to the right path of life? As children, do we still show respect to our parents? As a family, do we still work and pray and guide each other so that we can still consider ourselves as a family God wants us to be?

As we draw the year 2011 to a close, this may be a proper call for all families to reflect on the wonder of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Simple as they are, they still showed their  great participation in God's plan of salvation. This may also be our challenge in the coming New Year and everyday, that we grow within our family the everlasting love of God. Let us never be afraid to proclaim to the world that our families are also favored by God in work, prayer, and love for LIFE and one another.