God did not call me to be successful, God called me to be faithful

December 26, Holy Family Sunday (Feast of the Holy Family)
Daily Readings: Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28, 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 & Luke 2:41-52

The readings convey the love of parents for their children. The First Reading, reminds us again of Hannah who was unable to bear a child, went to the Temple where she prayed and asked the Lord to give her a male child. In due time she bore a son whom she named Samuel. Hannah took him to the temple and with her husband Elkanah, consecrated him to the service of the Lord.

They left the child in the Temple under the care of Eli the priest.

In the Responsorial Psalm, the Psalmist reminds us that those who live in God's house are blessed.

In the Second Reading from the Letter of Saint John, John affirms us that we are children of God and loved by him. He calls us to keep the commandments but above all, we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ and love one another. The Holy Spirit will enable us to remain in God's love.

The Gospel taken from Saint Luke recalls the story of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to Jerusalem for the Passover when he was twelve years old. Only St. Luke reports the event of the child Jesus being lost and then found in the temple.

When the feast was completed, the Holy Family set out on their return to Nazareth. Mary and Joseph assumed that Jesus was with the group until after a day of traveling they realized that he was missing. Like every good parent they searched for him among their relatives, but not finding him they returned to Jerusalem. After three days they found him in the Temple sitting and listening to the teachers and asking them questions.

Mary and Joseph were astonished, and Mary shared her anxiety with Jesus about what had happened but he said to them, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" His parents did not understand and when they returned to Nazareth, Mary kept these things in her heart. There, Jesus grew in wisdom and found favor with God and the people.  Losing Jesus for a few days must have been a huge anxiety for Mary and Joseph, just as it is for any parent who loses a child for any length of time. Like Mary and Joseph, parent's never give up hope even when there is only the slightest glimmer left.

This is the kind of love that brings the family closer to one another. The Holy Family is a sign of hope to all families who want to witness to God's love in our world today.

In the Fifth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, "The Finding of Jesus in the Temple," we reflect on this experience of the Holy Family. You may like to pray this Mystery of the Rosary today by yourself or with your family. Offer it for all families who are finding life difficult at this time.

 Reflect, today, upon your own family life. 

• Take time to thank God for the many blessings you have received.
• Ask God to make your family a holy family.
• The following words of St Teresa of Calcutta when asked about her success, may encourage you: 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, "God did not call me to be successful, God called me to be faithful". To be faithful as a husband, wife and as parents is a challenge in today's world. Pray to the Holy Family of Nazareth for the gift of faithfulness and know that God wants to enter more deeply into your family.