The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated with a Gospel message of unity. Mary and Joseph together with their newborn babe have journeyed to the Temple. They have come to give thanks for their child, Jesus. It is one of the few Gospel descriptions with all three together in one story. There, they are joined in their union by two others, Simeon and Anna.
Like Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna give care, attention, and importance to the little one. Both have waited for a child they believe will transform their world. Their wait has not strictly been one of anxiety or felt in isolation, but both elements are certainly present. Simeon’s anxiety is waiting into old age for a promise “that he should not see death” before he sees the child who will bring “salvation” and “glory for your people Israel.” Anna is 84 years old and her story reflects some isolation. “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer” awaiting “the child” and ‘awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Jesus’ holy family is thus part of a larger holy family, the people of ancient Israel. The union of all these caring persons shows us that all families are holy families, made more so by the larger families in union with them. This ever growing care is its own transformation of the world, for which Simeon and Anna have awaited. However, it is possible they are unaware as to the extent of that transformation. If transformation is only for a particular group, one chosen people, then there is not so much transformation but regression, for anxiety and isolation remain, being the elements of tribalism. The love emanating from a life which we experience as the fullness of God, cannot be reduced to a chosen few. Otherwise we have a quite small god, an idol really. Such love cannot be reduced to a single family or a notion of family that is insular, protected, something less than the full human family. Otherwise we have a quite small family, a cut really.
Our life together is too great and will not be contained in such a reduction. Within each of us and among all of us is an ever flowing energy of great magnitude, millions and billions of volts of energy able to electrify the world. Using it to light torches in tribal enclaves will not do for the transformation ahead.
Prayer: Spirit of Unity, we are of one union in one human family.
Question: During the past year, who have I learned is part of my human family?
December 31, 2017 Gospel Luke 2:22-40 Feast of the Holy Family