Feast of the Holy Family (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Feast of the Holy Family (C), December 30, 2012

Liturgical readings


Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Psalm 128
Colossians 3:12-21
Luke 2:41-52

"On the third day they came upon him in the temple."


Like all Jewish families, St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother brought the Lord Jesus with them for the feast of the Passover. The Lord was twelve years of age at the time. When the feast ended, his parents returned home not knowing that he remained behind. As soon as Joseph and Mary realized this, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him. On the third day of their search, they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers of the Law. When Mary expressed her anxiety at not having him by their side, Jesus replied in words his parents did not understand.


St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother were responsible parents. Although the Lord Jesus may have known the way back home - since it was their yearly custom to do so - his parents nevertheless wanted to be certain that he was safe. Both of them knew in faith that they were entrusted with someone of divine origin because of the many events related to his birth: the angel Gabriel; the miraculous conception of Elizabeth; the angel's messages to Joseph in his dreams; the visit of the shepherds; the visit and gifts of  the Magi.  But Joseph and Mary's human understanding cannot grasp yet the words Jesus spoke at the Temple. The Lord's wisdom and knowledge are beyond any human understanding.


The Lord Jesus, like any Jewish boy, was obedient to his parents. Tradition recounts that he spent thirty years in Nazareth growing up with the people of his own generation. His mother kept all the events related to her son in her memory and contemplated them in her heart. Jesus also learned the trade of his foster-father Joseph: carpentry. Nothing much is known about this hidden years, except that Jesus progressed steadily in wisdom before God and his townmates in Nazareth. This story of the Finding in the Temple, and mention of their hidden family life, reminds us of the many good qualities each of them exemplifies for every member of the Christian family.

Points for reflection: How can the Holy Family inspire us to treasure the traditional Catholic values we have always known?