Dear John,

I hope you are able to find many opportunities in this holy season of Christmas to give “glory to the newborn King,” as the old carol says.

Today, we take a closer look at family in our readings.

First reading: Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14

Psalm: 128:1–2, 3 4–5

Second reading: 1 John 3:1–2, 21–24

Gospel: Luke 2:41–52

God honors, upholds and rejoices in the community of family. The relationships between father and child, mother and child, or husband and wife each reflect God’s perfect love—both for us and among the Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity.

Jesus, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, nonetheless grew up within a close-knit, human family.   In today’s Gospel, there is a surprisingly intimate look at Jesus’ family dynamics. Mary and Joseph demonstrate a strong, spousal partnership in their search for 12-year old Jesus who has, unbeknownst to his human parents, stayed behind in the temple. 

Jesus, once found and gently questioned by His mother, Mary, “…went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.”

Can you think of a time in your own family of anxiety, then resolution, forgiveness and the restoration of family peace?  

Sometimes at holidays such as this, differences within our own families can be especially poignant. Pause for a moment and reflect on how things stand between you and your family. Your immediate family…your extended family…your Church family. Are there wounds that need healing? Rifts that need mending? Wrongs that need forgiving?

This special time of the year, the birth of our Savior, represents hope and forgiveness and mending.  My prayer for you, regardless of circumstances, is that you once again find your place within family and experience the peace and security God intends for you.

During these next days of Christmas, our programming on EWTN will feature several Masses that focus on the Holy Family and our need for reparation. All program times listed are Eastern Time:

January 1: 12:00AM (Encores at 8:00AM and 6:30PM). The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word celebrate the Solemn Mass of Reparation from EWTN.

January 1, 4:00AM and 12:00PM. Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Holy Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica

January 6, 4:00AM and 12:00PM. Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Solemn Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica

January 13, 3:30AM and 12:00PM. Pope Francis celebrates Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord from the Sistine Chapel.

May you experience joy and a fresh start in the New Year as we celebrate the One who says to each and every one of us: “See, I am making all things new.”

May God richly bless you and your family in the new year,

Father Joseph Mary Wolfe, MFVA

EWTN Global Catholic Network