First reading: Sir. 3:3–7,14–17
God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins—a house raised in justice to you.
Second reading: Col. 3:12–21
Brothers and sisters: 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, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. 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.
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
Gospel: Mt. 3:13–15,19–23
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.
In other words
Fr. Patricio de los Reyes, SVD (Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol)
According to the movies, a mafioso who does not hesitate to kill an enemy or competitor is also a loving father. He loves his family and gives generously to the Church. So, it must be true that even a hardened criminal can remain a loving parent.
Our feast today reminds us of the great importance of family for the development and growth of every family member and of society. Family is the first school of the children. At home, there is so much to be learned by a child. From the parents, a child learns how to respect and care or, conversely, to be disrespectful and indifferent. From the family, a child learns to be compassionate, kind, and generous or to be malicious and greedy. From the family a child learns to be merciful and forgiving or to be ruthlessly judgmental and hardhearted.
It was from my parents that I learned to be hardworking and responsible. From their loving ways, I learned to love, respect, and care. From their generosity and kindness, I learned to be a servant-leader. Their other-centeredness planted in my heart the desire to serve humanity. From their love of agriculture and animal farming, I learned to love, respect, and care for the environment and God’s creation. It was also from them that I learned to work for justice. They taught me what was right or wrong and that I should choose what is right and just. Many feared my father because of his adherence to truth and justice.
Family is an indispensable part of the Church and civil society. The Church and civil society need good and responsible families that uphold good human values and are faithful to Gospel values. But families are not accidents; they are consciously and responsibly created—by you and me.