Dympna Travers, OP

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

December 29th 2024

All three readings celebrate the theme of love today.  In the first reading from Samuel, we hear how Hannah longed for a child and eventually after many years of imploring God, she was blessed with the gift of a son.  Since she had asked God for him, she called him Samuel.  When weaned she selflessly presented him to serve in the Temple in Jerusalem under the guidance of Eli, the prophet.

The second reading reminds us that God loves us lavishly with an extravagance of unconditional love, asking only one favour of us that we keep the command to love one another by living a life of selfless love like Hannah above, giving her most precious son to serving in the Temple.

The Gospel reading from Luke 2 is about a missing child of twelve, unique and very precious to Mary and Joseph, who got lost in Jerusalem, which was packed with Jews to celebrate the feast of the Passover.  Usually, a group travelled together in caravan style, so Jesus could have gone on ahead with friends or remained behind.  For three days  Mary and Joseph beset with anxiety searched for Jesus, returning to Jerusalem. They found him in the Temple among the learned Doctors who were well versed in Scripture, quizzing and asking them questions. They asked him:” Did you not know that your father and I have been searching for you”?  Jesus replied: “Did you not know that I must be busy with my Fathers’ affairs?  It sounded like a rebuke but Mary had always encouraged Jesus to listen to his inner Wisdom, modelled for him unwavering courage and taught him to respect and appreciate adults and the whole of Creation at all times.

Perhaps we could do the same throughout this New Year?

Question:   How have I allowed my love to flow through me today to others?   How have I blocked it?  Be honest and review the last few days to help live the next few days more mindfully.   Have a Happy New Year.