Cycle C

Good News C5

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

New American Bible Luke 2:41-52

Bible Gateway New International Version Luke 2:41-52

You are a part of God’s holy family. You are blessed by God because he made you to add something special to this world. God’s dwelling place is in your heart and soul.

In Jesus’ time, when they went to the temple for a celebration, it was like a family reunion. Everyone in the family went to the temple together. They made a caravan of people with camels and donkeys walking and riding along together. Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was walking along with another member of the family at the end of the caravan. They didn’t realize until everyone had gotten back from the trip that Jesus had not come back at all. So Joseph and Mary went back to look for him. They found him teaching in the temple. They scolded him and told him how scared and worried they had been. Jesus told them that they should have known that he was about his father’s business, meaning God the Father’s business. However, since Jesus loved and respected his parents so much, he went back home with them.

Jesus learned more carpentry skills from Joseph. He may have helped build a house or carve a wooden bowl. He may have helped his Mother set the table when company came. He may have baked bread. He learned about breaking bread with family and friends. He used this tradition to share bread with his disciples on Holy Thursday, the night before he died.

In life you may not always agree with your parents, but you can always respect them.

God picked your parents because he wanted you to learn skills and gain knowledge from them to help you live longer. Realize that like yourself, your parents are not perfect. Pray that God will give you the love and respect to stay with your parents and help them until time for you to go out on your own and do the will of God the Father. Ask God to give you the wisdom to make the right choices in life.

If your family is having problems getting along and people are not respecting each other, ask God to show you how to get along better. If your Father has lost his job and doesn’t have the skills for a new job, ask God to send someone to teach him new skills. If you find yourself hating everyone and being angry all the time, ask God to help you see the lovable traits in yourself and others. Ask him to forgive you for your faults, and help you do one good thing after another. When you do things for others out of love, this love will multiply and come back to you ten-times over.

Say the “Our Father” and thank God for giving you the ability to respect and honor your parents and others in your family.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

Copyright © 2003 Joan Y. Edwards