The image of the Holy Family in the gospel reading is indeed an exemplar for our family by bringing our little ones to the church and to introduce to them our faith.  At this hardest moment that we are experiencing with the pandemic, there is a fear, but nevertheless it is not a hindrance to let them know that God exists. That His love and mercy endures forever.

In the yearly celebration of the Passover, Joseph and Mary knew the importance of having brought Jesus in the temple.  Later on, something had happened that He was lost for a while on the part of His parents, but He was not.  For sure, the emotions evoked with His parents were much worries, anxieties and could also be fears.  What a relief!   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.  That kind of incident was unusual for a kid like Him.  And what it reminds us? From the little ones, we could learn something. For the little ones are opportunities to remember that once we were young, too.  For the little ones we could explore in their world that could bring us wisdom, and joy.  From the little ones, beyond our eyes can see that there is something more (a line from a song…)

At the latter part of the gospel… 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. It could be noticed that despite of what happened beforehand with Jesus, His obedience superseded.  His modesty was the greatest thing that teaches us lessons in life.   He was being prepared by His parents.  And what more?  It is also an invitation for you and for me to have a listening heart to the little ones.  It is not simply providing them the material needs, but more than that the presence that every child is longing for, a loving experience that will bring out the best of them.

In Mary’s part, her obedience was also manifested here that in her experience all these things were kept in her heart and to have it as a great memoir of her life.

Let the Holy Childhood of Jesus, His obedience, His innocence and outpouring love to all will bring us close to God and to one another.

 

Our Lady of Virtues Community

Pangantucan, Bukidnon