The Obedient Child

~~~ Feast of the Holy Family ~~~

 

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

 

 

Jesus stays behind in the temple without telling Mary and Joseph.

Jesus is acting like a typical child.

He knew he was okay so why would his parents need to be worried.

Obviously at age twelve Mary and Joseph trusted him to be more responsible.

They were actually shocked that he had not told them.

They did not have cell phones or 'gps' to track him.

 

'...After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers...'

 

It is common in large families to think your child is safely

with another family member when in fact they are not.

This is exactly what happens to the Holy Family.

Today the authorities can issue as amber alert, but in the time of Jesus

the parents had to retrace their steps looking for their child.

 

Family dynamics have not changed much in all of history.

Parents still have expectations of their responsiblity for their children.

Children still want to test their independence.

 

Jesus accepted Mary and Joseph's concern for him.

He did not argue even though he did give them a reason for his behavior.

He left the temple and returned home with them.

 

"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

 

 

Saint Paul gives us the best qualities for every family to strive toward...

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
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.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.

 

If we can treat all members of our family with compassion, kindness,

forgiveness, and love we would all have better

a relationship with one another.

 

Jesus was obedient to Mary and Joseph just as he was

obedient to the Father who sent him to be one of us.

 

Mary and Joseph did not yell and scream at Jesus;

they did ask him for an explanation for his behavior after finding

that he was safe.

 

During the holidays families can become very stressed.

Before you over react take a deep breath and recall

the Holy Family.

Above all else love your family.