Ken Overberg, S.J.

Holy Family, Dec 30, 2007

Our wonderful crèches and familiar songs, our traditions and imaginations tempt us to read and hear the Scriptures as exact history.

But they are not!  The Scriptures are faith proclamations, the products of early communities, the work of early theologians.

Of all the books of the New Testament, only two describe the birth of

Jesus: Matthew and Luke.  And while we merge these two into one story, there are many differences:  Luke has Mary and Joseph living in Nazareth, includes shepherds and then a peaceful visit to the Temple in Jerusalem.  Matthew has Joseph and Mary living in Bethlehem, includes the wise visitors from the East, and—as we hear today—describes the political threat to the Holy Family and so the flight into Egypt.  All reminders not to look for exact history.

Both Matthew and Luke, however, agree in their purpose: to proclaim the identity of Jesus as Son of David (the expected Messiah was to be a descendant of David) and, more dramatically, as Son of God.  The infancy narratives also provide a bridge between the Hebrew Scriptures and the public ministry of Jesus (where there had been eyewitnesses).  The Hebrew Scriptures are the source of many details and images in the birth stories.  Today, for example, Joseph and his dreams would remind the early Jewish-Christian community of the Old Testament Joseph who once saved his people in Egypt.  And Jesus may well be presented as a new Moses.  (For more on all this, see Ray Brown’s two little books, “A Coming Christ in Advent” and “An Adult Christ at Christmas.”)

So we actually know very little about the Holy Family, though hear much from legend and popular piety.  None of this, of course, interferes with our prayers this Christmas season about the basic mystery of God becoming human, revealing God’s overflowing life and love.

In today’s readings, Isaiah and Matthew urge us to trust God’s faithfulness.  In the letter to the Colossians, we hear what kind of response God’s love invites—not only in our families, but also in our parish, in our city and nation, yes even in our world.  Please pay attention to the details.  What a holy family we are called to be!

***

As you may have noticed, we omitted the damaging patriarchal verses that follow this remarkable passage in Colossians.  One more reminder that Scripture is God’s word in very human words.  (This letter, by the way, was not written by Paul.)

But let’s focus on the light—and this marvelous description of our life in God.  Compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness, thankfulness, wisdom, praise, love.  What a remarkable litany, well summarized with the simple yet profound and challenging “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

Perhaps it would be enough for now to choose just one of these qualities—and reflect on what it means for your life right now.  Maybe it is something tested this holiday season.  Maybe it is being wonderfully experienced and expressed.  Be real.  Be honest.

Compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness, thankfulness, wisdom, praise, love.  How does the word of Christ dwell in you?