General. Family life is passing through hard times and looking at the exemplary union of the Holy Family recall memories of better times, perhaps even in our own families. We recall the old saying, a family that prays together lives together, and we wonder how to adapt it once more in our own lives. This Eucharist may yet be the starting point to get back to prayer and union. Jesus is the Son in the Holy Trinity, the child in the Holy Family and the Saviour in our own lives. Looking at him as the Lamb in this Divine Sacrifice may well signify to us that even in our own family, humility counts and that we can only patch up many dreary situations by being submissive to our partner, no matter what we might think of who is right or wrong.

Ecclesiastes. Wise sayings for sons and daughters about how to behave towards their parents in their old age. Life goes on but that which has been done with one’s parents is also done unto him or her by their children in the latter times of their lives. This is the fourth commandment in a nutshell, showing the meaning of living in a good (and holy) family where respect and good customs run through the blood even unto later generations.

Letter to the Colossians. This reading provides a good introduction to the second paragraph which is of the essence of this Sunday’s feast. It is important to have a docile, merciful character, to be forgiving to all just as the Father has forgiven you, and above all to be charitable towards your neighbour. All this makes a holy person who even in family life behaves with full holiness towards all those around. Hence the importance of a holy Christian family which shines out in silence as a light in the modern world.

St Luke. Jesus sought doing his Father’s Will from the very start of his life. Yet his parents, as good parents who take care of their children, were too bothered about him being safely with them and obeying their behests. Jesus had to be in His Father’s house on earth, even as he was in heaven. This was his priority and he held firm to it; so did his parents when they understood that he was an extraordinary, chosen child. Many vocations are actually lost because parents do not accept God’s calling for their son or daughter, even if they run ‘good’ families. A vocation is gift of God’s love and no parent can ever shut out such grace from reaching his or her family.

Christmas Readings from the Church Fathers

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