The Presentation in the temple

Today's Reflections

 

The Holy Family
(Feast) WHITE

Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3
Ps 105
Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
[or Sir 3:2-6, 12-14, Ps 128 Col 3:12-21]
Lk 2:22-40
[or 2:22, 39-40]

The Presentation in the temple

²²When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ³⁹When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Reflection:

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. Parents already have hopes and dreams for their children as soon as they are born. Grandparents and godparents make a forecast of how and who we will be in the future. But all these will depend on the home, where we need first to grow and become strong, to be filled with wisdom and nurtured by God’s favor.

There was a time when the only way to measure a child was through his intelligence quotient (IQ). But people soon found out that even if one had a very high IQ, it was no guarantee that he would be emotionally prepared to face different situations. So we now consider a child’s emotional quotient (EQ). There is a third factor, I believe, which is just as important though some nations want this erased from their constitution. It is the religious quotient (RQ). Our RQ plays an important role as to how we face life’s challenges and trials, or bear with other people. Our faith is often the only thing we have that carries us through. All these three we acquire in the context of our families.

Have a family retreat or recollection instead of a family reunion.

Include prayer or sharing in your family’s gathering for the New Year.