7 JANUARY – THE HOLY FAMILY

Epistle – Colossians iii. 12‒17

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: as the Lord has forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection: And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel – Luke ii. 42‒52

When He was twelve years old, they went up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast. And having fulfilled the days, when they returned the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; but His parents knew it not. Thinking that He was in the company, they came a day’s journey and sought Him among their kin and acquaintances. Not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. All that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. Seeing Him, they wondered. And His mother said to Him: “Son, why have you done this to us? Behold your father and I have sought you sorrowing.” And He said to them: “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?” They understood not the word that He spoke to them. He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. His mother kept all these words in Her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men.

Praise be to you, O Christ.

Dom Prosper Guéranger:

Thus, O Jesus, did you come down from Heaven to teach us. The tender age of childhood which you took upon yourself is no hindrance to the ardour of your desire that we should know the one only God who made all things, and you, His Son, whom He sent to us. When laid in the crib, you instructed the shepherds by a mere look. When swathed in your humble swaddling clothes and subjected to the voluntary silence you had imposed on yourself, you revealed to the Magi the light they sought in following the Star. When twelve years old, you explained to the Doctors of Israel the Scriptures which bear testimony to you. You gradually dispelled the shadows of the Law by your presence and your words. In order to fulfil the commands of your heavenly Father, you did not hesitate to occasion sorrow to the heart of your Mother by thus going in quest of souls that need enlightening. Your love of man will pierce that tender Heart of Mary with a still sharper sword when she will behold you hanging on the Cross and expiring in the midst of cruellest pain. Blessed be thou, sweet Jesus, in these first Mysteries of your infancy in which you already show yourself devoted to us and leaving the company of your Blessed Mother for that of sinful men who will one day conspire your death.