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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 12-30-11, Feast, Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 12-30-11 | RevisedNewAmericanBible

Posted on 12/29/2011 9:33:49 PM PST by Salvation

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To: All
 
Marriage = One Man and One Woman
Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for December 30, 2011:

In a healthy family life we experience some of the fundamental elements of peace: Mutual help in the necessities of life. (Pope Benedict XVI)


41 posted on 12/30/2011 8:06:09 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Regnum Christi

Rooted in Love
U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (December 30, 2011).

December 30, 2011
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child´s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "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." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Introductory Prayer: Jesus, you were a small child in your Mother’s arms. You were a baby who needed the protection of Joseph. You felt their goodness and love. Today I want to celebrate this love of your family. I want to enter into this love and bring it also to my own family. I believe and trust that you will help me in this.

Petition: Lord, help me discover the wonders of the love of the Holy Family.

1. The Bridegroom Is with You: Our God is a God of love. A family participates in this love because God is the source of the love that draws them together. The love that is so spontaneous, as well as so sacrificial, in a family shows the presence of Christ’s love. Jesus makes this love spring forth. It is homage to his Father and homage to his love for us. Am I aware of Christ’s loving presence in my family? Do I strive to collaborate with his love?

2. Family and Covenant: A family is fruit of a covenant, and God is part of this covenant. God has always wanted to make man part of his family, beginning with Adam and Eve. The Holy Family demonstrates the definitive covenant of God’s love for each of us. They live it with wonder and, like Abraham, they put their faith totally in God, bonding themselves totally to his will and to his love. They play their parts in the working of God’s plan, and God will keep his promise to them, making them providential collaborators in his plan of salvation. We can be sure of God’s faithful love in the family. We can be sure that he is working his plan of salvation with faithfulness. Do I strive for unity in my family by living supernatural charity?

3. Spiritual Inheritance: The Holy Family is a source of blessing. My family is also a source of blessing, even though moments of sorrow are bound to happen. When I live with faith my role in the family, I help to bring these blessings on the world. Often it is the example of Christian families that attracts others to the faith. Often the most powerful apostles, whether lay or consecrated persons, are fruit of the strong faith that is lived in the family. A family should not be closed in on itself; like the Holy Family, it has a mission. It must promote God’s message in the world through example and action. Do I give example to the members of my family? Do I strive to be an apostle both inside and outside the home?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for sanctifying family life by your presence. I want to discover you more in my family and those around me. Help me to accompany my loved ones in their moments of both joy and sorrow. You are with us, Lord. Help us to be your apostles.

Resolution: I will take a moment to listen attentively to and speak with a member of my family who may not have received much attention from me recently.


42 posted on 12/30/2011 8:15:02 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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A Meditation on the Holy Family

December 30th, 2011 by Food For Thought

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Psalm: Psalm 128:1-5
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

As much as Joseph and Mary are the parents of Jesus, the Son of God,
they were also ordinary people who followed traditional customs and
complied with the laws of their nation. They were perhaps surprised
by the attention given by Simeon and Anna to Jesus and they were
most probably very anxious about the importance of their son in the
future.

Nevertheless, they raised Jesus as any normal parents would raise
their son. They taught him and disciplined him. Jesus probably had
to do daily chores and learn basic education like any other boy and
girl living in Nazareth. Joseph probably had to work hard for a
living and Mary did her share of the housework.

Perhaps it is this ordinary life Joseph, Mary, and Jesus led that
make them a role model for any modern Christian family. Even though
they led a typical family life, they also led a life surrounded by
love, responsibility and caring for each other.

We have perhaps read and heard of the difficulties and challenges of
the family in the 21st century. Maybe we have experienced these
difficulties ourselves. Perhaps we worry how our children will grow
up or how we can continue providing for their basic needs and
education. But if we remember Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and their
commitment to each other despite all their difficulties, we can draw
from this and realize that our families too can weather and hurdle
any challenge or obstacle. It takes responsibility, commitment, and
most of all – love.

PRAYER
“Lord, may I never cease to hope in you and to trust in your
promises. Inflame my zeal for your kingdom and increase my love for
prayer, that I may never cease to give you praise and worship”.


43 posted on 12/30/2011 8:28:28 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 


<< Friday, December 30, 2011 >> Holy Family
Saint of the Day
 
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

View Readings
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Luke 2:22-40

 

THE PAIN AND PROMISE OF FAMILY

 
"The Child's father and mother were marveling at what was being said about Him." —Luke 2:33
 

Many people idealize the Holy Family. Because Jesus is God, Mary is immaculate, and Joseph is holy, their family relationships must have been almost perfect. However, that's not the picture the Bible gives us of the Holy Family. The only scene from Jesus' childhood that we are told about is when Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for three days. You can imagine the peasant couple frantically searching for their twelve-year-old Boy in the metropolis of Jerusalem. When they finally found Him in the Temple, they asked: "Son, why have You done this to us? You see that Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow" (Lk 2:48). You can almost hear the pain and bewilderment in Mary's voice.

Most people can relate to this trauma more easily than to the holiness of the Holy Family. Many of us are likewise searching for members of our families. We're searching for lost loved ones and for lost love. In sorrow and in pain, we search for acceptance, respect, encouragement, or hope. We can understand the pain of a three-day separation or even of three days in the tomb.

God's Word to us on this Holy Family Sunday promises us that our searching and sorrowing will end when we find Jesus. Then we will find love and peace for us and our families.

 
Prayer: Father, by Your grace I decide to forgive everyone, especially my family members, as You have forgiven me (Col 3:13).
Promise: "This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many." —Lk 2:34
Praise: Praise to You, risen Lord Jesus! You sanctified families by living for thirty years in The Holy Family. "Give to the Lord, you families...give to the Lord glory and praise" (Ps 96:7-8).

44 posted on 12/30/2011 8:36:15 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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December 30, Feast of the Holy Family

Today is the feast day of the Holy Family, but also every family's feast day, since the Holy Family is the patron and model of all Christian families. Today should be a huge family feast, since it is devoted entirely to the Holy Family as a model for the Christian family life. As Rev. Edward Sutfin states:

"The children must learn to see in their father the foster-father St. Joseph, and the Blessed Mother as the perfect model for their own mother. The lesson to be learned is both practical and theoretical, in that the children must learn how to obey and to love their parents in thought, word and action, just as Christ was obedient to Mary and Joseph. Helping mother in the kitchen and in the house work, and helping father in his odd jobs about the home thus take on a new significance by being performed in a Christ-like spirit." (True Christmas Spirit, ©1955, St. Meinrad Archabbey, Inc.)

 
 
A blessed Sixth Day of Christmas to all of you!

45 posted on 12/30/2011 8:40:17 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Prayer for the Unborn

Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life.

Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.

Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life.

Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

46 posted on 12/30/2011 8:52:17 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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