Feast of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
1ST READING
Let us reflect on the role of our families. Our parents and siblings are not perfect. Even though we have difficulties in our relationship with them, still there are a lot to be thankful for our family. Let us ask God to protect the institution of the family from the erosion of faulty legislation that does not recognize the role that families play in the lives of individuals and the society.
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
2 God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. 3 Whoever honors his father atones for sins; and preserves himself from them. 4 When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. 5 Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays, is heard. 6 Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. 12 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. 13 Even if his mind fail, be considerate to him; revile him not all the days of his life; 14 kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins — a house raised in justice to you.
P S A L M
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. (R) 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. (R) 4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. (R)
2ND READING
We fail to protect the dignity of the family to our own peril. The Roman Empire fell not because of superior armies destroying it but because of internal immorality, many of which caused the breakdown of the nuclear family. We can see similar signs today in Western countries where about half of marriages end in divorce.
Colossians 3:12-21
12 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 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. 14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
GOSPEL
Children whose parents have separated or who have been abused by their parents or by other people need our prayers for their healing. May the Church minister the healing sacraments and the love of God to them. Let us be agents of healing to those who have been hurt in spite of their innocence.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
13 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” 14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. 19 When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. 23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.
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