Feast of the Holy Family

I couldn't help but be struck by the difference between Hannah from the first reading and Mary from the Gospel. In both cases, they are given a special child. In Hannah's case, she hands Samuel over to the temple to dedicate him to the Lord as soon as he is weaned at three years old (his terrible twos must have been truly terrible). Mary, however, keeps Jesus with her, and it is only on their visit to Jerusalem when He is twelve that He goes to the temple on His own, astonishing those who listen to Him. Rather than leave Him there, Mary has Him come home to Nazareth with her and Joseph--which He does so and "was obedient to them."

Jesus does not begin His ministry until His thirties. Samuel lives his live in the temple starting at three years old. Even though Jesus is the Son of God, most of His life is spent outside of the temple. Today's reading is one of only a couple times that it is mentioned that He even visits it. Perhaps this is part of Jesus' message: that being devoted to God is more than spending one's life in the temple. Rather, He stayed with His family until the time came for Him to preach out in the world.

Christians need to be Christians out in the world, not just while at Church. Being a part of our families is a holy and necessary part of out faith. Following the path of Christ means to do so every day as part of our everyday lives.