The Holy Family

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;
    a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
    and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
    he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
    and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
    he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
    grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
    revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
    firmly planted against the debt of your sins
    —a house raised in justice to you.

My own tendency as I read this is to measure my own children against God’s Word, a sort of end of term report card. This is easy to do when you are a parent, to see the word son (and daughters aren’t excluded from the Wisdom) and think that this Wisdom is meant for our benefit. Yesterday in Mass though Holy Spirit reminded me that every one of us has parents, and this Wisdom is therefore universal to the human condition. This New Year’s Eve let’s take our focus off of others and perhaps how they measure up and spend time reflecting on ourselves. How am I reflecting this Wisdom in my life to others? Am I a good son/daughter to my mother and father? This reading is universal in another way of course. God is the Universal Father. Independent of our earthly circumstances, we all have a Heavenly Father. For those of us who are Catholic, we all have a heavenly mother as well. How can I better respect the authority of God this New Year? How can I revere God and honor God?

Colossians 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 
if one has a grievance against another; 
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love, 
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

As New Year’s resolutions go, I think that Paul can speak to every heart with this letter today. Read slowly through Paul’s letter a couple of times today and tomorrow, what does the Holy Spirit call to your heart? Where can you resolve to make this new year one that can change you in the best way possible, toward greater holiness? The first half of this reading instructs us in the virtues that strengthen our relationships with others. The second half instructs us in the ways that we honor God, that we can grow closer to a Father. Put together Paul has given us a practical manual for how to live the first reading from Sirach.

Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification 
according to the law of Moses, 
They took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, 
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, 
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel, 
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 
that he should not see death 
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; 
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus 
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 
“Behold, this child is destined 
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted 
—and you yourself a sword will pierce— 
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, 
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years, 
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple, 
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time, 
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child 
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of 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.

As I began praying and reflecting about this upcoming turn of year, God placed on my heart the word that tend to be identified with New Year’s, Resolution, which led me to the word resolute also. I want to share with you the definitions of these words and their synonyms.

Resolute: admirably purposeful, determined, unwavering, bold, steady (synonyms: constant, faithful, loyal, steadfast)

Resolution: The act or process of resolving (synonyms: courage, mettle, spirit, tenacity)

God’s law is sacred, it is holy, it is universal. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were not exempt from God’s law, they were resolved as a Holy Family to fulfill it. As each of us set aside time and reflection on what we would like to resolve ourselves to this upcoming new year, where are our efforts and focus worthy of the definition? Spend some time with God as this year closes asking Him in prayer where He would like to see greater resolve in your life. May God grant each of you peace as we stand on the threshold of a new year, may He be a part of your resolution. Amen!