Friar’s Corner: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a model for family harmony
What is the church’s intention for this feast in the midst of the Christmas cycle? The intention in this feast is to present Mary, Joseph and Jesus as a model for Christian families. The Sirach reading, written in the second century B.C., speaks today of reverence for one’s parents in words that have a timeless quality. In Colossians, Paul presents practical ways in which the bond of love expressed itself within the Christian community, including family relations. The Gospel selection today from Matthew’s infancy narratives, while not written primarily to highlight family values, does point to the guardian role of Joseph for Mary and Jesus. One thing is certain. The scriptures are totally at odds with the decimation and demise of the family.
