On the third day after being separated from the twelve-year-old Jesus, the Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph found Jesus at the Temple (Lk 2:46). Mary received her Son back into her care for another eighteen years. She and Joseph were among those amazed at Jesus' answers (Lk 2:47). Mary treasured all of this in her heart (Lk 2:51).
After occasional separation from her Son during the course of His three-year public ministry, Mary also found Jesus on Mount Calvary, hanging in agony on a cross. She received Him back after He was taken down from the cross (Jn 19:25). Surely she looked at her divine Son and was "amazed at" His humility and love, "so marred was His look beyond that of man" (Is 52:14). After another separation from Jesus when He was buried in the tomb, Mary received her risen Son back on the third day. Scripture does not record the risen Jesus appearing to His mother. However, many saints, mystics, and holy visionaries have written that Jesus appeared to His mother after rising from the dead. As at the Temple twenty-one years previously, the Blessed Mother must have been amazed at Jesus' answers about His account of His Resurrection.
Today's feast of the Holy Family is an encouragement for all families, even the most wounded and broken ones. The Holy Family experienced separation, persecution, grief, and death. Yet they focused on faith, hope, and love, and endured all things (see 1 Cor 13:7). Put your family in the hands of the Holy Family. Be amazed at what the Lord will do with and through your family.
| PRAYER: | Father, make many holy families who love and forgive. |
| PROMISE: | "Those who keep His commandments remain in Him and He in them." –1 Jn 3:24 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Son of the living God! Praise God our "Father from Whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name" (Eph 3:14-15). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College