The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph (December 26, 2021)

The Gospel today says that Mary and Joseph “went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover… according to festival custom”.
Our Lady and St. Joseph always did everything the Law of the Lord required, and these things included not only going up to Jerusalem each year, but also the rite of circumcision of the child Jesus as well as the rites of “purification” of the mother and the “presentation” of the first-born son.
If we consider who Jesus, Mary and Joseph were, we can say that they did not have to fulfill those requirements. Yet out of humility and respect for the law, they fulfilled those requirements.
Despite our culture largely being a culture of death, we too should have veneration and respect for all the just laws of the Church and of the State.

That the family may become ever more the sanctuary of life, where all are welcomed as a gift rather than a burden, we pray to the Lord...