Lk 2:22-40
Jesus was born into a family. We must never forget that. He did not magically skip the human birth process which is dangerous and messy under the best of circumstances. He did not shift his shape at will. He did not wreak havoc on earth and then return to some mountaintop. Unlike pagan small 'g' gods, Jesus was born into and lived on the same earth where we now live, and did so in the same way we do. He grew through infancy, childhood, adolescence,
and into adulthood. Only after becoming an adult did he begin his public ministry.
What we would call Jesus' "nuclear" family was small. However, it is important to remember that the Ancient Near Eastern concept of family was different than it is today. That is hinted at in today's gospel.
He was part of a large extended family. He was part of the House of David.
We are not always certain what references to his brothers, sisters, and cousins mean or if they can be translated into contemporary terms. Even today the use of brother or sister in the U.S. must be put into context at times as we do not always use brother or sister to refer to someone with whom we parentage.
Jesus was born into and emerged from a particular milieu. He lived in a specific geographic place, during a specific time in history, and in a particular religious-social setting. The world of the Holy Family was governed by the religious traditions and laws of Israel. They were observant of those laws, both religious and civil. Thus, Mary and Joseph made the arduous ninety mile journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' birth to be counted in the census ordered by the emperor.
The late Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner made an important observation about Jesus being born into, and coming of age within, a family. He wrote, (Jesus) “came into the world the same way we did in order to come to terms with the given facts of human existence, and to begin to die”
". . . to come to terms with the given facts of human existence, and to begin to die."
So it is for all of us. At some point we have to come to terms with the given facts of our existence. We must come to terms with the fact that we, and those whom we love, must die.
We know nothing of Jesus' youth or family life. In the Spiritual Exercises,
Ignatius refers to the decades between His birth and public ministry as the hidden life of Jesus. In today's Gospel we hear of Jesus' Presentation in the Temple, a ritual in accord with the religious customs and laws of Israel. Later we will hear of Jesus at the age of twelve, the only narrative of Jesus' life from His birth until he began his public ministry.
It seems reasonable to assume that Joseph died before Jesus began his public ministry. How old was he when Joseph died? How did that affect him? How did it change the relationship between Jesus and His mother.
We know nothing about the daily life, routines, conversation, or even the eating habits of the Holy Family. But we do know they observed the laws of Israel.
And we have their example of obedience to God's will.
We have the example of Mary’s yes, a yes that changed the history of the world. A yes that still echoes throughout the universe and will continue echo even after the universe has ended.
We have the example of Joseph’s silent yes to the angel who instructed him: “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife . . .” and who later instructed him to flee to Egypt. Joseph's assent, was manifest wordlessly by his actions.
We have the examples of Jesus' obedience within the structure of his family. We will hear the Gospel describing Jesus being lost in the Temple. It ends with: “He went down with them to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.”
And we have Jesus' "yes" in the Garden of Gethsemane where He offered his total obedience to God the Father as He prayed, “if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
As we commemorate the Holy Family, as we contemplate how they responded yes to the will of God, we pray that we will always respond with Mary's yes,
fiat mihi secundum tuum; “may it be done unto me according to your word.”
We pray that we have the strength to quietly do what needs to be done in the manner of Joseph.
And finally we pray that we always respond with Jesus' words, “Not my will but thine."
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The photos are of the Christmas Market in Ljubljana. It is a temporary outdoor market that is much much much more pleasant than Target or the horrors of a mall.
Have a Blessed New Year
Fr. Jack, SJ, MD
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