A Cycle -Feast of the Holy Family 25

Col. 3:12-21

There is much we do not know about the Holy Family’s life together.  Certainly, they would have known and experienced the intent of the passages in the book of wisdom. Honor, reverence, concern, submission and sacrificing for one another.  All because that is the way God intended families to thrive by about honoring, revering, and taking care of each other. But beyond a few passages in the scriptures, we do not know much about the daily life of the Holy Family.  But we can be certain their lives were just as God intended. At least we believe that to be so because they were chosen by God to be the father of His Son. They were holy and our families will never be as holy as the Holy Family.

But that does not mean we should dismiss the wisdom of Sirach given to us in today’s first reading. It also does not mean we will be successful as we attempt to treat each other with love, respect and the reverence described in those passages. Perhaps we need to spend some more time reflection on those words for they were inspired by a God who calls us to be husbands, wives and grow in holiness as our families grow.  We cannot dismiss those passages just because they are impossible. Or because society has told us something different about how husbands and wives should relate.     

We cannot dismiss our human weaknesses which look to other scripture passages as an excuse to dismiss this one.  Passages like an eye for an eye or the Levitical laws which demand restitution.  Human nature seeks to satisfy an unseen need despite the damage it may do to our relationship with our spouses or our children.  So how can we take the wisdom of Sirach seriously and seek to have our households’ places where love, honor and respect are lived daily? So instead of looking at how our families relate within our homes we will pay homage to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  They are perfect family because Mary was immaculately conceived a perfect vessel for Jesu’s birth and Joseph was righteous.

But God desires a different response and that my brothers and sisters is given to us in the second reading and the gospel.  Saul of Tarsus we know was a Pharisee, well versed in the scriptures and yet he never connected Jesus with he prophesies.  His mind could not comprehend how this son of a carpenter, whose message was one of love and forgiveness could be the promised Messiah who would free the Israelites.  That is the problem with a preconceived understanding of what God has planned as freedom and restoration.

We need what Paul the apostle began to understand and that we need a transformation of our minds. He began to understand how all his learning complicated his ability to live according to God’s plan rather than by what society dictates.  He wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2),  Rember he was speaking to an unbelieving Roman audience, a people who believed they had perfected living as the gods dictated. 

How can we have our minds transformed?  Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians. we are to put on “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love.  It is d decision we must make daily.  It is no different than deciding what clothes you decide to wear each day. But that leaves it all up to us having willpower which will fail us.  Not according to Paul who knew what his will power dove his to do before his encounter with Christ.  

Paul understood the power of the scriptures and that is a lesson we must learn.  He said in that letter to the Colossians “Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in your hearts.’  There it is! The one thing we need to become a holy family, a disciple and a witness of Christ is to immerse ourselves in the scriptures.  To allow the Word of God to transform how we think act and allow it to strengthen us in holiness. 

This week, I encourage you to read Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Chapter 3, verses 12 through 21 every day. Prior to reading those verses pray for the Holy Spirit to stir within you and open your hearts to encounter Christ.  Hear Paul’s words, revealing to you ow far you fall short of being the person God has created you to become.  Pray that the words of scripture become your north star guiding you to a deeper encounter with Christ.  Pray for a renewal of your mind so you know and live the great hope Christ has for you.  Allow Paul’s words to open your heart and allow Christ to be born in your heart.