The Catholic Church celebrates February as the month of the Holy Family, a devotion that began in the 17th century. The liturgical calendar begins this celebration on February 2, with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is one of two liturgical celebrations of the Holy Family, along with the Feast of the Holy Family on December 26. Through the presentation story alone, there is much to learn from the Holy Family.
As we hear in St. Luke’s Gospel, “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Lk. 2:22). Thus, the first lesson we can learn from the Holy family in the presentation narrative is their piety through strict observance of the Jewish Law. Though Christ fulfilled the Jewish Law (cf. Mt. 5:17), strong moral guidelines in family life retain a central role. Let us remember the rules of our parents and see their meaning and purpose in forming our lives in holiness, much like the Law helped form the Isrealites into God’s Chosen People. Even without the enforcement of the rules of parents, may we live in the spirit of those rules created for our good by those who love us.
Mary and Joseph were proud parents of Christ in the best possible way. We read, “The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him” (Lk. 2:33). These words come directly after Simeon’s prophecy about the salvific mission of Christ (cf. Lk. 2:25-32), and Mary and Joseph are “amazed.” The Holy Family was open to wonder and awe, willing to accept the fullness of God’s plan with joy for the child Jesus. This plan would not be easy, especially for Mary, as she was told “you yourself a sword will pierce” (Lk. 2:35), but through God’s plan this chosen family would be made stronger. Is this same strengthening in faith not also possible for families who are stretched to the limits by a child’s illness, death, or addiction? Is such joy in God’s plan also possible for families who are nearly torn apart by a child’s choice of a spouse or discernment of a call to the priesthood or religious life?
Indeed, the Holy Family was later stretched to the limits when Jesus began to show His family the truth of His mission. While He was conversing with the teachers in the Temple, the fear and stress of Mary and Joseph must have reached a level never seen before in their familial life. Yet when found, Jesus responds twofold in an example for children. First, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2:49) Second, “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” (Lk. 2:51). His response was not to abandon His calling to spare His parents, nor estrange His family by rejecting their concern for His growth and well-being. Instead, He both made His mission clear and His obedience perfect. May we, who are all children, by God’s grace do the same with our heavenly and earthly families alike. Members of the BC community will soon have the chance to better meditate on the Holy Family with a new statue on Commonwealth Avenue that the University is commissioning.
Thomas is a student in BC’s Carroll School of Management, who fittingly serves as the current Business Manager of The Torch in addition to his position as Campus News Editor. Thomas can be found around campus singing at Masses with the Liturgy Arts Group, tabling for the BC Pro-Life Club, deep in conversation while enjoying BC Dining cuisine, or gazing in awe at Gasson Hall and its Collegiate Gothic style architectural neighbors.
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