Homily for the Solemnity of the Holy Family
December 29, 2024
Saint Mark Catholic Church
Argyle, Texas
1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10
Colossians 3:12-21
Luke 2:41-52
The Church offers us in today’s liturgy of the Solemnity of the Holy Family the Gospel story that recounts the event that we reflect upon when praying the fifth joyful mystery of the Rosary: Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. The 12-year-old Jesus who stays behind in the Temple in Jerusalem unbeknown to Joseph and Mary who, surprised and anxious, discover Him three days later conversing with the teachers in the Temple. Jesus answers His mother who asks for an explanation that He must “be in his Father’s house,” that is God’s house. The Gospel relates that Mary and Joseph do not understand the meaning of Jesus’ response and then adds that Jesus returned with them in obedience and “advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God.”
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Homily for the Solemnity of the Holy Family
December 31, 2023
Saint Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Luke 2:22-40
Today on the Solemnity of the Holy Family we listen to the Gospel of Saint Luke who tells us the story of what is pondered in the fourth joyful Mystery of the Rosary: the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The story that is conveyed in today’s Gospel is rich for reflection, especially on this Solemnity. Yet, I wish to invite us to focus upon the words of the prophet Simeon spoken especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted — and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
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