Search
December 31, 2023: Feast of the Holy Family Cycle B
-
Mary and Joseph presented Jesus according to the dictates of the law. In the fullness of their Jewishness, they carried out with Jesus what Moses prescribed centuries before.
This Gospel of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is a model presentation by his mother Mary and step-father Joseph, who will be Jesus’ earthly father figure for some years to come. Their presentation of the Christ child as parents is grounded in their central belief system; that of worshipping the one, true God of Israel.
And this central belief system will remain with Jesus throughout his 33-plus years (“I have come for the house of Israel”), culminating in a Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven. A return home for him.
As Christians, we hold close to our hearts and minds the same central belief system that Mary and Joseph did when they brought Jesus into the presence of Simeon and Anna that day. With one noted difference, or addition. Our central belief system has added to it the One presented in the Temple as our Savior.
As a small child that day in the Temple, Jesus is the Christ. The One who was “coming into the world.” Very few people knew this about him the day his parents entered the Temple with their Son. Simeon and Anna knew. Mary knew who her Son was, of course. Joseph, he knew from the dream that told him to take Mary his wife into his home, when the angel told Joseph, “Open your front door for her, and let her enter.”
Others had a sense of our Lord’s Divine nature. Shepherds in the field watching over their flocks; the Magi whom we celebrate next week. They had a stronger sense of belief of who Jesus is than the rest of the world. This short list covers everyone who knew Jesus, or was close to knowing the truth of who he is.
Our Lord still needed to grow into manhood, say certain things like “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Go and sin no more.” Or “I am the resurrection and the life.” He still needed to perform certain actions, like raising Lazarus from death, or curing 10 lepers who shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on us.” He sure did.
And then a Cross entered at the prime of his life, followed by an empty grave. And then appearing to his disciples, making them witnesses to his victory over death.
At that point, our central belief system, a system that carries us through the highs and lows of our daily living, through our struggles and addictions, through our grief at the loss of our loved ones … Their witness to his resurrection is when our central belief system in the Lord began to increase in awareness that he is the center of human history. And that ultimately, our lives depend upon him for meaning and purpose.
As a religious family of brothers and sisters in the Lord, we have many motherly and fatherly figures we look up to who lead us to Jesus. I think of two good friends, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. They were brother and sister in Christ with an undying central belief system in the One they worshipped. Their faith passed on from their families, connecting it back to the Apostles.
On this Feast of the Holy Family, a family of strong, devoted faith in the God of Israel, the one, true God whom we are not to place false gods before, or any fake gods. On this feast we do well to walk our journey with gratitude for those who came before us, who passed on the gift of their faith in Jesus through the Spirit working in their lives.
Those who have influenced our central belief system, a system always on the go in building up our faith and good works. A system that offers us hope in what’s to come. A belief system, when fully operational, that defines the fullness of our life.
May the Lord bless our families in this New Year, families that are the lifeblood to a healthy society. Made possible through the blood of Christ poured out for the good of the world. And may we be families of peace, that seek peace, extend peace, who pray for peace.
It’s a good central belief system we have, from the Apostles forward to now. In fact, there is no better one. A mature system that places Jesus Christ at its center.