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reflections and guide

Feast of the Holy Family

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First Reading: Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14

Background/Context

The book of Sirach was written by Jesus Ben Sirach 200 years before Christ was born. It was later translated into Greek by his grandson for the benefit of the Alexandrian Jews who were dazzled by the Greek culture and wanted to abandon their Jewish faith and follow the ways of the pagans.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

God established the family in the marriage of Adam and Eve. The first reading teaches us the importance God places on family. Loving and honoring our parents, especially when they are old, yields a long life, material blessings, answered prayers and forgiveness of our sins.

How to Proclaim

Read slowly to emphasize the lessons being taught. This is a didactic Hebrew poetry characterized by parallelism, i.e., same thought for every two lines. To be more effective, the second line should be read like an echo of the first. There should be a longer pause between the lines with different thoughts.

Word Watch

Sirach - SAI-rak

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Responsorial Psalm: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD AND WALK IN HIS WAYS!

Reverential awe for the Lord brings prosperity and blessings for the family.

 

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Second Reading:Colossians 3: 12-21

Background/Context of the Reading

The letter to the Christian community in Colossae was written by Paul when he was in Jail in Rome. Even when he was in prison, Paul was overflowing with love and teaches how loving Christians should treat each other in the family, the community and society as a whole.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

As God’s chosen ones, as God’s beloved, we, too, we must reflect this awesome love in our lives. Paul almost runs out of words – compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness – to stress the love we should have for each other. Since that it was God who chose our parents, siblings and children for us, our family, created by God, must reflect His love. And this love is nourished by thanksgiving, prayer, and meditating on the Scripture.

How to Proclaim

The first paragraph should be proclaimed in an encouraging manner as this is an exhortation on proper Christian conduct. Don’t breeze through the virtues but give each one emphasis. There should be a longer pause before the last paragraph which must be proclaimed calmly and clearly to emphasize the proper behavior of family members to each other.

Word Watch

Colossian - kuh-LAH-shihnz

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Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Background and Meaning

Several weeks after Jesus was born, an angel tells Joseph to go to Egypt to protect Jesus. It should be difficult for the newborn baby and his mother to undertake this journey but still they followed to the detail God’s instructions through His angel.

From Mary and Joseph, we learn obedience to God’s will. Their life’s purpose and center was Jesus. The trial they had to face did not weaken them but strengthened them all the more. They knew that God loves them and will protect them from all dangers. Our families today are threatened by many dangers. To face these, our family should have Christ as its center, with His love reigning in all our hearts. Only fervent Christians, steeped in prayer and the Scriptures, can build solid Christian communities.

Reflections

How do we reflect Christ's love within our families and the communities we are part of?

How do we know and ensure that Christ is the center of our families?

 

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