1ST READING
The nuggets of wisdom we find in the Book of Ecclesiasticus have eternal value, if interpreted and understood correctly. As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, let us remember to be grateful for the blessing of our family as a gift from God. It is good to think about this once in a while because I am sure we will find something, if not many things, for which to be grateful. No matter how difficult our experience of family life is and has been, there are always blessings to be found if we look hard enough.
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
2 God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. 3 Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; 4 he stores up riches who reveres his mother. 5 Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. 6 Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. 12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not all the days of his life; 14 kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sin — a house raised in justice to you.
P S A L M
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
1 Blessed is everyone who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. (R) 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. (R) 4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (R)
2nd READING
A group or society is built on the love that people are willing to show and express to one another. True love always directs us towards the other — the one to be loved, whether that be God Himself or another person. In this way, we see that love creates a sense of community by drawing people together, often over and above mere choice, into relationships that are more than mere affection or attraction. We do not choose our family members — they are there by default. Let us seek to have the best possible relationships with all the members of our families.
Colossians 3:12-21
12 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. 14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
GOSPEL
As a child, Jesus lived in obedience to His parents. Obedience tends to be a “no go” word in society today. It is seen to be in conflict with the modern understanding of freedom. However, this is a totally false notion — both the modern concept of freedom as “freedom from…,” i.e., whatever it is that’s trying to enslave us, and also how we understand the concept of obedience as contrary to freedom. Biblically speaking, obedience to God’s will is what frees us from everything else that would enslave us to a life of sin. Ironically, it is only through obedience that we are capable of acting freely.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the words of Christ dwell in you richly.
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
13 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” 14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 19 When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. 23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”
think: Biblically speaking, obedience to God’s will is what frees us from everything else that would enslave us to a life of sin.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Sirah 36-40
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