In today's gospel we learn about the holy family of Jesus. Although Jesus was the son of God, Mary and Joseph knew they still needed to be obedient to the laws of the church. They also understood that one of their main responsibilities as parents was to teach Jesus to the best of their ability. By doing so, they are great role models for our own parents.
Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to recognise when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life. Amen
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
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.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8pLSVmDl5Q (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)
Ask: What are some ways in which we express our faith in God? What do we do to show that we are Catholic? (daily prayer, reading Scripture, gathering for Mass, praying the Rosary) Ask: From whom did you learn the importance of these expressions of our faith? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. For many of us, our families have played an important role in teaching us about our Catholic faith. Jesus also learned about his faith from his parents. Today’s Gospel presents Jesus’ family as a model for family life.
Ask: What are Mary and Joseph doing in this reading? (They are honoring the traditions of their Jewish faith by bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple.) Why do you think it is important that we know this about Jesus’ family? (It shows Jesus’ family’s faithfulness to their religious tradition; it shows that Jesus learned his faith from his family.) Are there ways that Catholic families express their faith that are similar to the way that Jesus’ family expressed their faith? (bringing a child to church for Baptism, bringing children to weekly Mass, and so on)
Say: We learn from many people how to express our faith in God, but our families have a special role in teaching us about God and our Catholic faith. Let’s take some time to write a prayer of thanksgiving to God for our family and for all that we have learned from them about God and our faith.
Conclude in prayer together, asking God to bless and strengthen our families.
Source: thecatholickid.com
Father in heaven, we give you today, all that we think, and do, and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
