GOSPEL POWER - DECEMBER 27, 2020 - SUNDAY

HOLY FAMILY

Gospel: Lk 2:22-40 

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,  a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

REFLECTION

The family is a divinely-willed, divinely-created, and divinely-sustained institution. God himself entered the world to be in solidarity with us by being born into and becoming a member of a human family. The readings of today’s feast are tightly woven together by the themes of faith and obedience—the indispensable ingredients of a stable and healthy family life. The first and second readings are all about Abraham who, against all odds, became the father of an ever-growing family, because he put his faith in God’s promises and obeyed God in all matters. In the Gospel, Joseph and Mary, whose engagement underwent a severe trial, became husband and wife through faith in and obedience to God’s revelation and action in their lives. Today, as the institution of the family is assailed by evil forces that seek to destroy it, the liturgical readings invite us to turn to God in faith and obedience, for He alone can see this well-loved institution through every ordeal and restore it to its designated place in his plan.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, help all families to weather the storms that threaten to break them up. Amen.