THE HOLY FAMILY (C) : Sunday 26th December 2021

In today’s Gospel, Luke gives us a gleam of how the twelve-year-old Jesus begins to know his identity: who he is to God and God to him.

After being lost to his parents for three days, he was found in the Temple, discoursing about God with the scribes. When his mother saw him, she displayed some displeasure at his disappearance. In response, Jesus helped his parents appreciate his newfound identity – ‘Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’

When we see Jesus again, he is already a grown man preparing to answer the call he has heard.  Throughout the rest of his life (three more years), God affirms him of his Sonship (baptism, transfiguration, at the garden of Gethsemane, 3:21,22; 9:28-36 and 22:42,43 respectively). And Jesus’ identity issue is decisively resolved when he addresses God as ‘Abba, Father’ (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6) before taking up the Cross the Father gives him.

 Lord God, give me the grace to imitate the Holy Family, that life and mutual understanding may flourish in my family and community.

Lord Jesus, You call God ‘Abba, Father!’. It is because of you and through you that we can call God our Heavenly Father. My Brother Jesus, may I grow in the knowledge of my true identity of an adopted son/daughter of God our Heavenly Father — a Child of God, and carry my cross to follow You.