Holy Family Sunday.
Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; LK 2:41-52.
The qualities of family life are enumerated in today’s readings.
1) The book of Sirach emphasizes the authority and dignity that Parents posses, and the honor and respect, and care that children owe to them.
2) St. Paul sums up how members of each family are to interact: with mercy, kindness, patience and forgiveness; bearing with one another and caring for each other.
3) The Gospel story about Jesus getting lost in the Temple, reminds us about a family celebrating Festivities of Salvation such as Christmas and Easter(Passover) are important part of family life. It also illustrates how sorrow, pain and worry are part of all families experience.
4) All of us are totally aware of the present world scenario: Anxiety, anger, pessimism, greed, corruption and economic collapse.
People are hurt because they see a slow motion of moral collapse.
Children without fathers, Schools without without discipline, rewards without efforts, crimes without punishment. These crimes,rapes and gang rapes every day in the news all over the world. These crimes continue without punishments. Some people want rights without responsibilities, communities without control; worst aspects of human nature such as lust, anger, greed and corruption are tolerated and indulged and incentivized.
5) Today more than ever before we need moral courage; parents need the authority and should take authority to confront these moral corruption. We need commitment, lifelong caring no matter what may happen.
We need in a family communication, and willing to take time to listen, dialogue and sharing one’s feelings.
We need compatibility, ability to get along, adjust and be flexible.
We need compassion, understanding weakness and sympathize with failure. Be kind always; every one is fighting a difficult battle in their lives.
We need confession, to one another, say sorry and be reconciled with, and forgive. A sense of humor to laugh at oneself and make others smile. and we need to learn to appreciate our children, and adopted children, nephews and nieces with whom we share life.
These reflections should serve as our guide to grow together as a happy family and holy family. We pray for it.
Fr. Lucas Thumma