Originally published at National Catholic Register
User’s Guide to the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sunday, Dec. 29, is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Mass readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52.
The Church calls us to reflect on family life in the middle of the Christmas Octave.
The readings offer a biblical vision of the family:
A father in honor over his children (Sirach 3:2); A wife and mother who is supportive of her husband and his authority (Colossians 3:20-21); A husband who supports, loves and encourages his wife (Colossians 3:20–21); A mother in authority over her children (Sirach 3:2); Children who honor and obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1ff); A family structure that helps children to advance in wisdom and age and in favor before God and man (Luke 2:45, 51); and A father, a mother and children all reverential and supportive of one another in their various roles and duties (Ephesians 5:17ff).
The basic structure for the family according to God is a man who loves his
