Year 35 No.
37 Feast of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (C) — White
Enduring through
the Years
by Fr. Tim Melliza, SSP
T hat Jesus is true God may
cause some difficulty in
understanding the relationship
prevailing in the Holy Family of
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. If Jesus
is true God, then he need not
learn from Mary and Joseph, and
he is the big boss in the family.
Mary and Joseph must obey
him. But the Gospel of Luke
(2:40, 51-52) emphasizes that
Jesus is obedient to them. Jesus
gains the favor of God and man,
advancing in wisdom and age.
This means that Jesus does
not appear to be a genius in
everything, having an “infused
knowledge” of anything. If
he gains the attention of his
neighbors, it is because he helps
and listens, and is with other
children who learn the basics
of the Torah at the synagogue of
Nazareth. He passes his 30 years
in Nazareth without attracting
too much attention because he
is literally like other children and
adults, not the source of answers
to all questions. Jesus is not only
true God, but also true man,
learning from his experiences
and relationship with others.
Obedience is the key to a
successful family life, especially
on the part of children. The
moment the children no longer
obey, doom is spelled for the
entire family. First, it means that
children no longer value or love
their parents, a situation that may
result from the irresponsibility
of the parents themselves. The
lack of obedience may mean
a fractured family relationship
that can be difficult to restore.
Irresponsible and often violent
parents breed rebellious children.
At the onset, children may obey
because they are still young,
but the moment they can stand
physically against their parents,
troubles may arise.
Still, children may also
disobey their loving parents.
The enigma of human freedom
is manifested in the black sheep
of the family who may simply
follow his/her instincts in total
defiance to model parents.
The heart of a holy family,
however, is always love. Love
has a way of conquering hearts,
eliciting obedience, care, and
repentance. A family becomes
holy when black sheep are
welcomed and forgiven, when
children start to value even
parents who have abandoned
them. Love builds and creates.
This is the reason why Jesus
December 26, 2021
who is truly divine is also truly
human. He learns a lot from
Mary and Joseph. The embrace
and the kisses he receives from
them become the bastion of his
care and love for others. Jesus is
also a kid who gets fascinated
with many things, like when he
stays in the temple to converse
with scholars of the law. At the
sight of his parents who are
almost in tears after three days
of search, Jesus understands that
love for his Father does not mean
disregarding his parents. He
must give them his full attention.
He obeys them. Jesus stays
contentedly in Nazareth for
30 years. In his adult years, his
parents no longer command,
and Jesus no longer obeys. He
simply treasures their presence.
If we make our home a nest
of love, then the restless among
us will always have a place of
comfort. Life remains wonderful
when we still have parents
waiting for us. Though they may
no longer ask us to do anything,
their presence becomes pure joy,
the product of a relationship of
love enduring through the years.

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Antiphon
(Lk 2:16)
(Recited when there is no opening song.)
The shepherds went in haste,
and found Mary and Joseph and
the Infant lying in a manger.
Greeting
(The sign of the cross is made here.)
P—The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.
All—And with your spirit.
Introduction
(These [or similar words] may be used
to address the assembly.)
P—The Feast of the Holy
Family, celebrated during the
Christmas week, reminds us
that the Savior is born into
a family. The Son of God, in
order to draw us back to the
Father, becomes a member of
the human family. He shares
not only the love and affection
of Mary and Joseph but also
the fragility and danger they
face because of poverty and
injustice. May the Lord Jesus,
who has come to be part of
the human family, bless all
our families.
Penitential Act
P—Brethren (brothers and
sisters), let us acknowledge our
sins, and so prepare ourselves to
celebrate the sacred mysteries.
(Pause)
P—Have mercy on us, O Lord.
All—For we have sinned against
you.
P—Show us, O Lord, your
mercy.
A l l — A n d g r a n t u s yo u r
salvation.
P—May almighty God have
mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
All—Amen.
P—Lord, have mercy.
All—Lord, have mercy.
P—Christ, have mercy.
All—Christ, have mercy.
P—Lord, have mercy.
All—Lord, have mercy.
Gloria
All—Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace
to people of good will. We
praise you, we bless you, we
adore you, we glorify you, we
give you thanks for your great
glory, Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father. Lord
Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of
the Father, you take away the
sins of the world, have mercy
on us; you take away the sins of
the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand
of the Father, have mercy on
us. For you alone are the Holy
One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy
Spirit, in the glory of God the
Father. Amen.
Collect
P — Let us pray. (Pause)
O God, who were pleased
to give us the shining example
of the Holy Family, graciously
grant that we may imitate them
in practicing the virtues of
family life and in the bonds
of charity, and so, in the joy of
your house, delight one day in
eternal rewards.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever
and ever. 1. Blessed is everyone who
All — Amen. fears the LORD,/ who walks in
his ways!/ For you shall eat the
fruit of your handiwork;/ blessed
Liturgy of the word
shall you be, and favored. (R)
First Reading (Sir 3:2–6, 12–14)
(Sit)
It is God who builds the human
family. The wise man, Sirach,
teaches us that in order to live a
family life pleasing to God, parents
should love their children, and
children should honor and care
for their parents especially in
their old age.
A reading from the Book of
Sirach
GOD SETS a father in honor
over his children; a mother’s
authority he confirms over her
sons. Whoever honors his father
atones for sins, and preserves
himself from them. When he
prays, he is heard; he stores
up riches who reveres his
mother. Whoever honors his
father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will
live a long life; he who obeys
his father brings comfort to
his mother.
My son, take care of your
father when he is old; grieve
him not as long as he lives. Even
if his mind fail, be considerate
of him; revile him not all the
days of his life; kindness to a
father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt
of your sins—a house raised in
justice to you.
—The word of the Lord.
All—Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 128)
R—Blessed are those who fear
the Lord and walk in his ways.
Amante

     
D G
   
Bles sed are those who fear the

D G
  

4
    
Lord and walk in his ways.
2. Your wife shall be like a
fruit­ful vine/ in the recesses
of your home;/ your children
like olive plants/ around your
table. (R)
3. Behold, thus is the man
blessed/ who fears the LORD./
The LORD bless you from Zion:/
may you see the prosperity of
Jerusalem/ all the days of your
life. (R)
Second Reading (Col 3:12–17)
The apostle Paul reminds us that
true faith in God and true Christian
holiness are seen in acts of kindness,
humility, patience, and love. Faith
is lived in a family where husband
and wife and children love and care
for one another.
A reading from the Letter of
Saint Paul to the Colossians
BROTHERS AND SISTERS:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones,
holy and beloved, heartfelt
compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and
patience, bearing with one
another and forgiving one
another, if one has a grievance
against another; as the Lord
has forgiven you, so must you
also do. And over all these put
on love, that is, the bond of
perfection. And let the peace
of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were
also called in one body. And
be thankful. Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly, as
in all wisdom you teach and
admonish one another, singing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual
songs with gratitude in your
hearts to God. And whatever
you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him.
—The word of the Lord.
All—Thanks be to God.
Alleluia (Col 3:15a, 16a) (Stand)
All—Alleluia, alleluia. Let the
peace of Christ control your
hearts; let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Gospel (Lk 2:41–52)
P—A reading from the holy
Gospel according to Luke
All—Glory to you, O Lord.
EACH YEAR Jesus’ parents
went to Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover, and when he was
twelve years old, they went up
according to festival custom.
After they had completed its
days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind
in Jerusalem, but his parents
did not know it. Thinking that
he was in the caravan, they
journeyed for a day and looked
for him among their relatives
and acquaintances, but not
finding him, they returned
to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found
him in the temple, sitting in
the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking
them questions, and all who
heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his
answers. When his parents saw
him, they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this
to us? Your father and I have
been looking for you with great
anxiety.” And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for
me? Did you not know that I
must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand
what he said to them. He went
down with them and came to
Nazareth, and was obedient
to them; and his mother kept
all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom
and age and favor before God
and man.
—The Gospel of the Lord.
All—Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Christ.
Homily (Sit)
Profession of Faith (Stand)
All—I believe in one God,
the Father almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, of all things
visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the Only Begotten Son
of God, born of the Father
before all ages. God from God,
Light from Light, true God from
true God, begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were
made. For us men and for our
salvation he came down from
heaven, (at the words that follow, up
to and including and became man,
all bow) and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin
Mary and became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate, he suffered
death and was buried, and
rose again on the third day in
accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and
is seated at the right hand of
the Father. He will come again
in glory to judge the living and
the dead and his kingdom will
have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and
the Son, who with the Father
and the Son is adored and
glorified, who has spoken
through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic,
and apostolic Church. I confess
one Baptism for the forgiveness
of sins and I look forward to
the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to
come. Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful
P—Let us joyfully give thanks
to the heavenly Father for
sending his Son to become a
member of our human family.
With one heart, let us pray:
R—Hear the prayer of your
family, O Lord.
C—May Pope Francis, bishops,
priests, deacons, religious and
lay leaders continually strive
to grow in holiness in Christ by
fulfilling their responsibilities
in synodality and brotherhood.
We pray: (R)
C—May government officials
and civil leaders lead their
constituents by their good
example, promote peace and
prosperity among the people,
and support families beset by
calamity, injustice, and poverty.
We pray: (R)
C—May families that are severely
tried by separation and problems
related to drugs and sexual abuse
receive healing and comfort
from Jesus’ love and from their
communities. We pray: (R)
C—May all families be protected
from the harm brought about
by the Covid-19 pandemic. We
pray: (R)
C—May our departed brothers
and sisters rest in God’s eternal
embrace of peace. We pray: (R)
C—Let us pray for the urgent
concerns of our community
and our personal intentions
(pause). We pray: (R)
P—Heavenly Father, listen to
your family whom you call to
become holy like your Son.
Send us your Spirit as we grow
daily in your love and truth that
we may honor you in our lives.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
Liturgy of
the eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts
(Stand)
P—Pray, brethren…
All—May the Lord accept the
sacrifice at your hands for the
praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of
all his holy Church.
Prayer over the Offerings
P—We offer you, Lord, the
sacrifice of conciliation,
humbly asking that, through
the intercession of the Virgin
Mother of God and Saint
Joseph, you may establish our
families firmly in your grace
and your peace.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
Preface III of the Nativity of
the Lord
(The exchange in the Incarnation of
the Word)
P—The Lord be with you.
All—And with your spirit.
P—Lift up your hearts.
All—We lift them up to the Lord.
P—Let us give thanks to the
Lord our God.
All—It is right and just.
P—It is truly right and just, our
duty and our salvation,
always
and everywhere to give you
thanks, Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
For through him the holy
exchange that restores our
life has shone forth today in
splendor: when our frailty is
assumed by your Word not only
does human mortality receive
unending honor but by this
wondrous union we, too, are
made eternal.
And so, in company with
the choirs of Angels, we praise
you, and with joy we proclaim:
All—Holy, Holy, Holy...(Kneel)
Acclamation (Stand)
All—When we eat this Bread
and drink this Cup, we proclaim
your Death, O Lord, until you
come again.
THE COMMUNION RITE
The Lord’s Prayer
All—Our Father…
P—Deliver us, Lord…
All—For the kingdom, the
power and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Invitation to Peace
Invitation to Communion
(Kneel)
P—Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away
the sins of the world. Blessed
are those called to the supper
of the Lamb.
All—Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under
my roof, but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
Communion Antiphon (Bar 3:38)
Our God has appeared on the
earth, and lived among us.
Prayer after Communion
(Stand)
P—Let us pray. (Pause)
Bring those you refresh with
this heavenly Sacrament, most
merciful Father, to imitate
constantly the example of the
Holy Family, so that, after the
trials of this world, we may
share their company for ever.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
THE CONCLUDING RITES
P—The Lord be with you.
All—And with your spirit.
Solemn Blessing
P—May almighty God bless
you, the Father, and the Son,
+ and the Holy Spirit.
All—Amen.
Dismissal
P—The Mass has been offered.
Go in peace, glorifying the
Lord by your life.
All—Thanks be to God.