Ken Overberg, S.J.

Dec 27, 2009    Holy Family
 
As we celebrate Christmas, Holy Family, and Epiphany, it is essential for us to recognize that the Christmas stories are proclamations of faith and not exact historical accounts. Essential—so that we can hear these stories as Gospel, and not just sentimental stories of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  Indeed, the infancy narratives present the whole gospel in miniature: the revelation of God’s remarkable desire to share divine life and love, first to the poor, then to the powerful, even to non-Jews!  Some accept and believe; others reject, turning to violence.  The Christmas stories remind us that living the Gospel leads us into holy mystery, often with a cost.
 
Although in song and crèche and imagination we merge together the two stories of Luke and Matthew, they are very different in many details.  No gospel gives us the crèche scene—Luke has the shepherds, Matthew the Magi.  Luke has a peaceful visit to Jerusalem, Matthew the flight into Egypt.  But the stories share the same heart, the meaning we are invited to hear: the identity of Jesus.  The early community saw Jesus as the fulfillment of messianic expectations, so he is described as a descendant of David (symbolized by birth in Bethlehem).  Even more, the stories proclaim Jesus as Emmanuel, God-with-us in a unique way (symbolized by his special birth and the angelic announcements).  Jesus is Son of David and Son of God.
 
Today’s gospel passage concludes Luke’s infancy narrative, though the scene is twelve years after Jesus’ birth.  Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple, but Luke describes them as perplexed and not understanding (despite what he said about them in the story of Jesus’ birth).  Again, Luke is focusing on the identity of Jesus.
 
The first reading is part of the story about Hannah, Elkanah, and their child Samuel, another holy family a thousand years before Jesus.  With its focus on Hannah, the story was a model for Luke’s infancy narrative, including Mary’s Magnificat.  The second reading is from the first letter of John, describing our identity—children of God.
 
Let’s listen to God’s word!
 
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Families—they can be wonderful and awful, and everything in between, perhaps especially at this time of year.  The Scriptures themselves, God’s word always expressed in human words in a particular historical context, also give us mixed messages about family life.  (One of the alternate readings for today included the line: “Wives, be submissive to your husbands.”)
 
The gospels tell us that Jesus offered his vision of family in the reign of God.   As with other aspects of Jesus’ message, his view of family was surprising and challenging; bloodlines were not important, neither was patriarchy.  Family for Jesus are those who hear the word of God and live accordingly (see Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 11:27-29).
 
Jesus’ parables and actions fill in the content of this “live accordingly.”  Life in the reign of God is characterized by compassion and healing, trust and forgiveness, nonviolence and joy, love—yes, even love of enemies.
 
It seems good, then, on this feast of Holy Family to hold together this remarkable litany of virtues with our very real families—families that are traditional and nontraditional, damaging and nourishing, genetic and faith-based.  A few questions about our experiences of family can guide this prayerful reflection.  Where is there need for forgiveness and healing?  Is there room for nonviolence and love of enemies? Where have we found compassion and joy?  How do we express our gratitude for God’s abundant love?