Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family- December 29
Written on: December 26, 2019
Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
December 29, 2019
Sr. Eleanor Martinez, GNSH
1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial: Psalm128:1-2, 3, 4-5
2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12-21
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
How wonderful it has been this last week to celebrate the gift of God’s son. Now as we near the end of the year, we become aware of a stark change as the Holy Family must flee from danger.
There are many insights that can be gleaned from the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt but this reflection will focus on the place detachment plays in our lives. We are acutely aware of the message that comes to us at Christmas:
There is the rejoicing,
the angels singing,
the shepherds and the Magi.
But sometime after, we are never quite sure just how soon, Jesus, Mary and Joseph must become immigrants in a strange country to protect their son. Mary could not call her parents and relatives and assure them that all will be well, and Joseph could not go on line to explore housing or job opportunities. They had to relinquish all that was familiar while trusting that God is in charge after all.
And so it is with us.
We are always being asked to trust, to let go and let God. As a congregation we had to let go many times of what was familiar and embrace the new. And as we age, there are all those opportunities we have to continue to let go. We resign to not being able to run marathons, to accepting help when we were once so independent, and to say goodbye to friends and relatives as they move on to other places, or to a place with God.
“Without trauma and woundedness we might never move off the spot we’re in,
to the spot we should be.” Joan Chittister, OSB
Tony de Mello emphasized how important it is to drop attachments. He taught unhappiness is caused by false beliefs and
“…that there is not a single moment in your life when you do not have everything that you need to be happy.”
So it must have been a strong belief like this that made it possible for the Holy Family to leave family, friends, belongings and fear of the unknown all in God’s hands.
May God give us the faith to do the same.
Post image courtesy of Laura Seaman/Unsplash
10 thoughts on “Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family- December 29”
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“LET GO AND LET GOD!” a very timely and powerful reminder as I struggle with ‘something’ that has been there for nearly two years now…
Thank you Ellie! I take your words as an inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
An inspiring message for what I am currently dealing with at this time in my life. I will derive much solace from reading it many times over in trying to cope with much uncertainty.
Thanks, Ellie. What a blessing it can be to find that I can live joyfully “without” what I thought was essential!
The others have said it well, Ellie.
I’ll add my thanks for your thoughtful message.
Blessings to you and all those whose lives you touch.
Happy New Year!
Karen
thank you Ellie. something to ponder and take to heart.
As I sit here in the Rehab Facility after my hip replacement your words resonate acutely with me…lol!
Trauma and woundedness are great motivators…whether physical or spiritual. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me after this experience!!
I know I have been given all I have needed to journey forward these past 3plus years.
“God is good ; all the time…All the time ; God is good!
I find great comfort and food for thought with these beautiful words of wisdom! Thank you!
A timeless message, Ellie and an “au courante” call to us to risk to live deeply Marguerite’s legacy of trust in Divine Providence. The refugees of the world are living witnesses of this Gospel.
What an inspiring reflection, Ellie! Timely and oh so pertinent. Also puts us in solidarity with the thousands migrating away from violence and hoping to find welcome.
What an inspiring reflection, Ellie! Timely and oh so pertinent. Also puts us in solidarity with the thousands migrating away from violence and hoping to find welcome.