Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (B)

 

December 27, 202 

Readings:

First Reading: Genesis 15: 1-6; 21: 1-3

Psalm 105 “The Lord remembers his covenant forever.”

Second Reading: Hebrew 11: 8, 11-12, 17-19

Gospel reading according to Luke 2: 22-40

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Homily:

“The Hebrew Bible mentions a number of situations when ritual purification is required, including during menstruation, following childbirth (postpartum) [in the case of Mary who gave birth to her firstborn son Jesus], sexual relations, nocturnal emission, unusual bodily fluids, skin disease, death (corpse uncleanness), and animal sacrifices. The oral law specifies other situations when ritual purification is required, such as after performing excretory functions, meals, and waking. The purification ritual is generally a form of water-based ritual washing in Judaism for removal of any ritual impurity, sometimes requiring just washing of the hands, and at other times requiring full immersion; the oral law requires the use of un-drawn water for any ritual full immersion - either a natural river/stream/spring, or a special bath (a Mikvah) which contains rain-water” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual_purification). “When 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” (Luke 2: 22).  Mary underwent the rite of purification for about seven days after giving birth to follow the added oral law of Moses with regards to cleanliness after childbirth. On the eight day (or forty days for some), Joseph and Mary brought to the Temple in Jerusalem the infant Jesus to undergo the ritual for the first born sons (male only) and the following sons born of women, which we call circumcision or “tuli,” as a living and permanent covenant with God (Yahweh).

Simeon, “the text suggests that Simeon was the officiating priest.  Some writers have identified this Simeon with Shimon ben Hillel although Hillel was not a priest” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon), John the apostle and evangelist did not describe who was Simeon, he just said that he was righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem, and he was told by the Holy Spirit that he will not die or taste death until he sees the Christ, the Savior of Israel. “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 revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord” (Luke 2: 25-26).  Day in and night out, Simeon stayed in the Temple of Jerusalem waiting for the coming of the consolation and salvation of Israel, for the Holy Spirit was the One guiding him, for the Holy Spirit was with him.

The Holy Spirit who was with him led him in the Temple that day when the parents of Jesus brought him in the Temple in Jerusalem to present and offer him in the Lord, by undergoing the covenant of circumcision and offering two turtle doves.  “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 bless 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” (Luke 2: 27-32).  Simeon met Joseph, Mary and the Infant Jesus in the Temple.  At once, Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God with great emotions and affection.  He cannot believe that Christ was in his arms.  So he burst in praise 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 Infant Jesus of Bethlehem gave peace of heart and mind for Simeon and he was ready to go for he saw the light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for the people of Israel.

When the parents of Jesus heard what Simeon said with regards to their son, they were amazed. “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” (Luke 2: 33-35).  Even his parents were blessed by Simeon and made prophesy towards them, especially to Mary, “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.”

Aside from Simeon and many other righteous and virtues men and women living in the Temple, there was a prophetess Anna.  John the apostle and evangelist knew Anna for he described who she was and from where she came from, and even her status in life.  “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 a widow until she was eighty-four…  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” (Luke 2: 36-38).  Anna went also to the Temple by the promptings of the Holy Spirit and met also the Holy Family.  After thanking God for the coming of the Savior, she also gave a prophecy to the child.  In this case, the apostle and evangelist John was silent.  He did not tell us what the prophetess Anna told to the parents of Jesus with regards to him.

When everything has been fulfilled with the purification rite of Jesus in the Temple and even enrolling in the census decreed by Caesar Augustus, they returned not in Bethlehem in Jerusalem but in Nazareth, Galilee.  “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” (Luke 2: 39-40).  There Jesus grew and became strong filled with wisdom and favor of God, His Father.  Truly God the Lord remembers his covenant forever.