{"id":3402,"date":"2022-01-07T15:59:47","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T15:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/?p=3402"},"modified":"2022-03-10T20:37:08","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T20:37:08","slug":"the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/?p=3402","title":{"rendered":"THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH (C)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text]<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>I would like us to reflect on 2 themes developed in today\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The 1<sup>st<\/sup> theme is that dedication to family and love of family are important Christian values. Why would I say this?<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>History tells us that Jesus was approximately 33 years of age when he died. Only the last 3 years of his life were devoted to travelling throughout Palestine, teaching, healing and other good works. Where was Jesus prior to age 30? What was he doing?<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The answer is found in today\u2019s Gospel: \u201cThen he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them\u201d. For 30 years, Jesus lived at Nazareth. His days were focused on the humble tasks and obligations towards his family and community. Why would Jesus Christ, the Son of God, spend over 90% of his life on earth as a carpenter\u2019s son in a remote village called Nazareth? Why did Jesus not spend 90% of his life preaching and performing miracles?<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The key message is that Jesus\u2019 life at Nazareth proves that God loves family life. God, in Jesus, chooses and says \u201cyes\u201d to family life. Jesus\u2019 growth and development were guided and supported by Mary and Joseph. Jesus increased in wisdom, in years and in favour with God and with others as a son in a human family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is God\u2019s gift to us. God\u2019s plan for humanity is for us to experience loving relationships within a family. God made flesh was present in the relationships within the family at Nazareth. Likewise, with us, God is present within our family relationships. Likewise, in our homes, the divine is hidden in the human. Although our families are not perfect, and although there are many ups and downs in family life, and although our families can struggle in the midst of the messiness and challenges of life, our families are holy places, where God is made known.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is sacred because it is the school where we are called to discover the virtues mentioned in the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Reading: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and, most of all, love. Whenever we do our best to put into practice a gracious and generous love that expects nothing in return, we are imitating the Holy Family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>It is for this reason that one of Mother Theresa\u2019s favorite sayings was, \u201cIf you want to change the world, go home and love your family\u201d. What M. Theresa is saying is that strong loving bonds focused on unselfish caring and faithful commitment that exist in the home have the power to affect all the other relationships that we are involved in that exist outside the home, including our society at large.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The 2<sup>nd<\/sup> theme found in today\u2019s Gospel is an extension of M. Theresa\u2019s comment. The family is the forum in which both adults and children focus on God\u2019s call for each person.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>When Mary and Joseph find the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, they are understandably agitated, upset and hurt: \u201cChild, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety\u201d. Jesus\u2019 response is significant: \u201cDid you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u201d Mary is referring to Joseph when she says, \u201cyour father\u201d. When Jesus says, \u201cmy Father\u201d, he is referring to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>With this remark, Jesus is not being rude and disrespectful to his parents. Rather, Jesus is displaying insight, clarity and wisdom. He is revealing to his parents that he knows that God is his Father. In other words, Jesus, even as a youth, is aware of his divine identity; he is the Son of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>As such, his life is to be devoted to doing the will of his heavenly Father. The purpose of his life is to do what is pleasing to God. Jesus has a mission that goes beyond his family life in Nazareth. Jesus\u2019 mission is all about establishing the Kingdom of God in the world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Yet, after this incident, Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, returns to Nazareth and makes himself subject to Mary and Joseph for another 18 years. Why did Jesus not begin his public life after this incident in the temple? The point is that Jesus\u2019 vocation grew stronger and deeper and blossomed in the context of the family relationships that existed in that home in Nazareth.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The same is true for our lives. The call of family life is for everyone in the family \u2013 adults and children \u2013 to be able to discern his \/ her mission. An important dimension of family life is to cultivate an environment where each member is encouraged to be faithful to the vocation to which he \/ she is called by God. Each family member has been given gifts, talents and abilities which are to be developed for the sake of the Lord\u2019s work in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>How do we know if we are building up the Kingdom of God in this world? The short answer is: Let\u2019s look at Jesus and do what he did. Pope Francis made these remarks during his Angelus homily on February 14: \u201cLet\u2019s not forget the three words that help us understand God\u2019s style. Do not forget: closeness, compassion, tenderness.\u201d In short, we know we are aligning ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God by the way we treat those around us.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Each of us ought to ask this question: what evidence is there of closeness, tenderness and compassion in the concrete situations of my life and in my daily interactions with people? The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are responding to God\u2019s call for our lives. The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are embracing our mission to build up the Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>As our Eucharist continues, let us offer 2 prayers to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>First, may God help us to integrate into our own lives the lesson that Jesus\u2019 3 decades at Nazareth teaches us \u2013 namely, to be devoted to our families because family life is blessed, holy and sacred. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, our families are also permeated with the presence of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Second, may God help our families create caring, encouraging and supportive environments where every individual can discover the mission to which he or she is being called by God. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it is in the context of family relationships that each of us can learn that we have a unique contribution to make in establishing God\u2019s Kingdom in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Amen.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Deacon Roland Muzzatti<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>December 26, 2021<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>I would like us to reflect on 2 themes developed in today\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The 1<sup>st<\/sup> theme is that dedication to family and love of family are important Christian values. Why would I say this?<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>History tells us that Jesus was approximately 33 years of age when he died. Only the last 3 years of his life were devoted to travelling throughout Palestine, teaching, healing and other good works. Where was Jesus prior to age 30? What was he doing?<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The answer is found in today\u2019s Gospel: \u201cThen he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them\u201d. For 30 years, Jesus lived at Nazareth. His days were focused on the humble tasks and obligations towards his family and community. Why would Jesus Christ, the Son of God, spend over 90% of his life on earth as a carpenter\u2019s son in a remote village called Nazareth? Why did Jesus not spend 90% of his life preaching and performing miracles?<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The key message is that Jesus\u2019 life at Nazareth proves that God loves family life. God, in Jesus, chooses and says \u201cyes\u201d to family life. Jesus\u2019 growth and development were guided and supported by Mary and Joseph. Jesus increased in wisdom, in years and in favour with God and with others as a son in a human family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is God\u2019s gift to us. God\u2019s plan for humanity is for us to experience loving relationships within a family. God made flesh was present in the relationships within the family at Nazareth. Likewise, with us, God is present within our family relationships. Likewise, in our homes, the divine is hidden in the human. Although our families are not perfect, and although there are many ups and downs in family life, and although our families can struggle in the midst of the messiness and challenges of life, our families are holy places, where God is made known.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is sacred because it is the school where we are called to discover the virtues mentioned in the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Reading: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and, most of all, love. Whenever we do our best to put into practice a gracious and generous love that expects nothing in return, we are imitating the Holy Family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>It is for this reason that one of Mother Theresa\u2019s favorite sayings was, \u201cIf you want to change the world, go home and love your family\u201d. What M. Theresa is saying is that strong loving bonds focused on unselfish caring and faithful commitment that exist in the home have the power to affect all the other relationships that we are involved in that exist outside the home, including our society at large.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The 2<sup>nd<\/sup> theme found in today\u2019s Gospel is an extension of M. Theresa\u2019s comment. The family is the forum in which both adults and children focus on God\u2019s call for each person.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>When Mary and Joseph find the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, they are understandably agitated, upset and hurt: \u201cChild, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety\u201d. Jesus\u2019 response is significant: \u201cDid you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u201d Mary is referring to Joseph when she says, \u201cyour father\u201d. When Jesus says, \u201cmy Father\u201d, he is referring to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>With this remark, Jesus is not being rude and disrespectful to his parents. Rather, Jesus is displaying insight, clarity and wisdom. He is revealing to his parents that he knows that God is his Father. In other words, Jesus, even as a youth, is aware of his divine identity; he is the Son of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>As such, his life is to be devoted to doing the will of his heavenly Father. The purpose of his life is to do what is pleasing to God. Jesus has a mission that goes beyond his family life in Nazareth. Jesus\u2019 mission is all about establishing the Kingdom of God in the world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Yet, after this incident, Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, returns to Nazareth and makes himself subject to Mary and Joseph for another 18 years. Why did Jesus not begin his public life after this incident in the temple? The point is that Jesus\u2019 vocation grew stronger and deeper and blossomed in the context of the family relationships that existed in that home in Nazareth.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>The same is true for our lives. The call of family life is for everyone in the family \u2013 adults and children \u2013 to be able to discern his \/ her mission. An important dimension of family life is to cultivate an environment where each member is encouraged to be faithful to the vocation to which he \/ she is called by God. Each family member has been given gifts, talents and abilities which are to be developed for the sake of the Lord\u2019s work in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>How do we know if we are building up the Kingdom of God in this world? The short answer is: Let\u2019s look at Jesus and do what he did. Pope Francis made these remarks during his Angelus homily on February 14: \u201cLet\u2019s not forget the three words that help us understand God\u2019s style. Do not forget: closeness, compassion, tenderness.\u201d In short, we know we are aligning ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God by the way we treat those around us.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Each of us ought to ask this question: what evidence is there of closeness, tenderness and compassion in the concrete situations of my life and in my daily interactions with people? The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are responding to God\u2019s call for our lives. The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are embracing our mission to build up the Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>As our Eucharist continues, let us offer 2 prayers to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>First, may God help us to integrate into our own lives the lesson that Jesus\u2019 3 decades at Nazareth teaches us \u2013 namely, to be devoted to our families because family life is blessed, holy and sacred. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, our families are also permeated with the presence of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Second, may God help our families create caring, encouraging and supportive environments where every individual can discover the mission to which he or she is being called by God. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it is in the context of family relationships that each of us can learn that we have a unique contribution to make in establishing God\u2019s Kingdom in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Amen.<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>Deacon Roland Muzzatti<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p>December 26, 2021<\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular\" >\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row_empty\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0  et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> I would like us to reflect on 2 themes developed in today\u2019s Gospel. The 1st theme is that dedication to family and love of family are important Christian values. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I would like us to reflect on 2 themes developed in today\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The 1<sup>st<\/sup> theme is that dedication to family and love of family are important Christian values. Why would I say this?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>History tells us that Jesus was approximately 33 years of age when he died. Only the last 3 years of his life were devoted to travelling throughout Palestine, teaching, healing and other good works. Where was Jesus prior to age 30? What was he doing?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The answer is found in today\u2019s Gospel: \u201cThen he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them\u201d. For 30 years, Jesus lived at Nazareth. His days were focused on the humble tasks and obligations towards his family and community. Why would Jesus Christ, the Son of God, spend over 90% of his life on earth as a carpenter\u2019s son in a remote village called Nazareth? Why did Jesus not spend 90% of his life preaching and performing miracles?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The key message is that Jesus\u2019 life at Nazareth proves that God loves family life. God, in Jesus, chooses and says \u201cyes\u201d to family life. Jesus\u2019 growth and development were guided and supported by Mary and Joseph. Jesus increased in wisdom, in years and in favour with God and with others as a son in a human family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is God\u2019s gift to us. God\u2019s plan for humanity is for us to experience loving relationships within a family. God made flesh was present in the relationships within the family at Nazareth. Likewise, with us, God is present within our family relationships. Likewise, in our homes, the divine is hidden in the human. Although our families are not perfect, and although there are many ups and downs in family life, and although our families can struggle in the midst of the messiness and challenges of life, our families are holy places, where God is made known.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is sacred because it is the school where we are called to discover the virtues mentioned in the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Reading: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and, most of all, love. Whenever we do our best to put into practice a gracious and generous love that expects nothing in return, we are imitating the Holy Family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is for this reason that one of Mother Theresa\u2019s favorite sayings was, \u201cIf you want to change the world, go home and love your family\u201d. What M. Theresa is saying is that strong loving bonds focused on unselfish caring and faithful commitment that exist in the home have the power to affect all the other relationships that we are involved in that exist outside the home, including our society at large.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The 2<sup>nd<\/sup> theme found in today\u2019s Gospel is an extension of M. Theresa\u2019s comment. The family is the forum in which both adults and children focus on God\u2019s call for each person.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When Mary and Joseph find the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, they are understandably agitated, upset and hurt: \u201cChild, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety\u201d. Jesus\u2019 response is significant: \u201cDid you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u201d Mary is referring to Joseph when she says, \u201cyour father\u201d. When Jesus says, \u201cmy Father\u201d, he is referring to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With this remark, Jesus is not being rude and disrespectful to his parents. Rather, Jesus is displaying insight, clarity and wisdom. He is revealing to his parents that he knows that God is his Father. In other words, Jesus, even as a youth, is aware of his divine identity; he is the Son of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As such, his life is to be devoted to doing the will of his heavenly Father. The purpose of his life is to do what is pleasing to God. Jesus has a mission that goes beyond his family life in Nazareth. Jesus\u2019 mission is all about establishing the Kingdom of God in the world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yet, after this incident, Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, returns to Nazareth and makes himself subject to Mary and Joseph for another 18 years. Why did Jesus not begin his public life after this incident in the temple? The point is that Jesus\u2019 vocation grew stronger and deeper and blossomed in the context of the family relationships that existed in that home in Nazareth.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The same is true for our lives. The call of family life is for everyone in the family \u2013 adults and children \u2013 to be able to discern his \/ her mission. An important dimension of family life is to cultivate an environment where each member is encouraged to be faithful to the vocation to which he \/ she is called by God. Each family member has been given gifts, talents and abilities which are to be developed for the sake of the Lord\u2019s work in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How do we know if we are building up the Kingdom of God in this world? The short answer is: Let\u2019s look at Jesus and do what he did. Pope Francis made these remarks during his Angelus homily on February 14: \u201cLet\u2019s not forget the three words that help us understand God\u2019s style. Do not forget: closeness, compassion, tenderness.\u201d In short, we know we are aligning ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God by the way we treat those around us.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Each of us ought to ask this question: what evidence is there of closeness, tenderness and compassion in the concrete situations of my life and in my daily interactions with people? The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are responding to God\u2019s call for our lives. The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are embracing our mission to build up the Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As our Eucharist continues, let us offer 2 prayers to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>First, may God help us to integrate into our own lives the lesson that Jesus\u2019 3 decades at Nazareth teaches us \u2013 namely, to be devoted to our families because family life is blessed, holy and sacred. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, our families are also permeated with the presence of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Second, may God help our families create caring, encouraging and supportive environments where every individual can discover the mission to which he or she is being called by God. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it is in the context of family relationships that each of us can learn that we have a unique contribution to make in establishing God\u2019s Kingdom in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Amen.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Deacon Roland Muzzatti<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>December 26, 2021<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I would like us to reflect on 2 themes developed in today\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The 1<sup>st<\/sup> theme is that dedication to family and love of family are important Christian values. Why would I say this?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>History tells us that Jesus was approximately 33 years of age when he died. Only the last 3 years of his life were devoted to travelling throughout Palestine, teaching, healing and other good works. Where was Jesus prior to age 30? What was he doing?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The answer is found in today\u2019s Gospel: \u201cThen he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them\u201d. For 30 years, Jesus lived at Nazareth. His days were focused on the humble tasks and obligations towards his family and community. Why would Jesus Christ, the Son of God, spend over 90% of his life on earth as a carpenter\u2019s son in a remote village called Nazareth? Why did Jesus not spend 90% of his life preaching and performing miracles?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The key message is that Jesus\u2019 life at Nazareth proves that God loves family life. God, in Jesus, chooses and says \u201cyes\u201d to family life. Jesus\u2019 growth and development were guided and supported by Mary and Joseph. Jesus increased in wisdom, in years and in favour with God and with others as a son in a human family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is God\u2019s gift to us. God\u2019s plan for humanity is for us to experience loving relationships within a family. God made flesh was present in the relationships within the family at Nazareth. Likewise, with us, God is present within our family relationships. Likewise, in our homes, the divine is hidden in the human. Although our families are not perfect, and although there are many ups and downs in family life, and although our families can struggle in the midst of the messiness and challenges of life, our families are holy places, where God is made known.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Family life is sacred because it is the school where we are called to discover the virtues mentioned in the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Reading: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and, most of all, love. Whenever we do our best to put into practice a gracious and generous love that expects nothing in return, we are imitating the Holy Family.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is for this reason that one of Mother Theresa\u2019s favorite sayings was, \u201cIf you want to change the world, go home and love your family\u201d. What M. Theresa is saying is that strong loving bonds focused on unselfish caring and faithful commitment that exist in the home have the power to affect all the other relationships that we are involved in that exist outside the home, including our society at large.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The 2<sup>nd<\/sup> theme found in today\u2019s Gospel is an extension of M. Theresa\u2019s comment. The family is the forum in which both adults and children focus on God\u2019s call for each person.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When Mary and Joseph find the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, they are understandably agitated, upset and hurt: \u201cChild, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety\u201d. Jesus\u2019 response is significant: \u201cDid you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u201d Mary is referring to Joseph when she says, \u201cyour father\u201d. When Jesus says, \u201cmy Father\u201d, he is referring to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With this remark, Jesus is not being rude and disrespectful to his parents. Rather, Jesus is displaying insight, clarity and wisdom. He is revealing to his parents that he knows that God is his Father. In other words, Jesus, even as a youth, is aware of his divine identity; he is the Son of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As such, his life is to be devoted to doing the will of his heavenly Father. The purpose of his life is to do what is pleasing to God. Jesus has a mission that goes beyond his family life in Nazareth. Jesus\u2019 mission is all about establishing the Kingdom of God in the world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yet, after this incident, Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, returns to Nazareth and makes himself subject to Mary and Joseph for another 18 years. Why did Jesus not begin his public life after this incident in the temple? The point is that Jesus\u2019 vocation grew stronger and deeper and blossomed in the context of the family relationships that existed in that home in Nazareth.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The same is true for our lives. The call of family life is for everyone in the family \u2013 adults and children \u2013 to be able to discern his \/ her mission. An important dimension of family life is to cultivate an environment where each member is encouraged to be faithful to the vocation to which he \/ she is called by God. Each family member has been given gifts, talents and abilities which are to be developed for the sake of the Lord\u2019s work in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>How do we know if we are building up the Kingdom of God in this world? The short answer is: Let\u2019s look at Jesus and do what he did. Pope Francis made these remarks during his Angelus homily on February 14: \u201cLet\u2019s not forget the three words that help us understand God\u2019s style. Do not forget: closeness, compassion, tenderness.\u201d In short, we know we are aligning ourselves with the values of the Kingdom of God by the way we treat those around us.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Each of us ought to ask this question: what evidence is there of closeness, tenderness and compassion in the concrete situations of my life and in my daily interactions with people? The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are responding to God\u2019s call for our lives. The more examples of these 3 words that we find, the more confident we can be that we are embracing our mission to build up the Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As our Eucharist continues, let us offer 2 prayers to God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>First, may God help us to integrate into our own lives the lesson that Jesus\u2019 3 decades at Nazareth teaches us \u2013 namely, to be devoted to our families because family life is blessed, holy and sacred. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, our families are also permeated with the presence of God.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Second, may God help our families create caring, encouraging and supportive environments where every individual can discover the mission to which he or she is being called by God. As was the case with the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it is in the context of family relationships that each of us can learn that we have a unique contribution to make in establishing God\u2019s Kingdom in our world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Amen.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Deacon Roland Muzzatti<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>December 26, 2021<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-homilies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3402"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3407,"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3402\/revisions\/3407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christthekingsudbury.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}