Dear Friends,
Wow, Christmas was just yesterday and here we are back worshipping and celebrating the great feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Back-to-back very special and huge celebrations of Faith. God is good ~ all the time!
Our Gospel story is about the missing twelve-year-old Jesus. Although, the Passover ended and His family and neighbors began the journey back home, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents search frantically for three days and find Him in the Temple astounding the teachers there with His wisdom.
We see here a preview or prelude to Jesus’ public ministry which He will commence some eighteen years later. Saint Luke tells us that Jesus was obedient to His Mother and foster Father. We also know full well how obedient Jesus is to His heavenly Father. In all things and in every way, Jesus accomplished His Father’s Will for our redemption and salvation; enabling us to become beloved children of God.
And so, Saint Paul encourages us, “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… over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts… 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.”
It seems to me that we should dispense from thinking about or making New Year’s resolutions and rather just read / ponder those words each day so to have the courage to live them fully as God’s beloved children.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
