FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSPEH1
(Samuel 1:20-22.24-28; I John 3:1-2.21-24; Luke 2:41-52)
The other day a woman took her four children to mass at
noon. All the children sat calmly. When it was time for Communion, they entered
the line without discussion. One after another they extended their hands to
receive the host. They were well-bred, accustomed to church etiquette. In
today's Gospel Jesus shows the same docility in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple to familiarize him
with the customs of the Jewish people. They celebrate the Passover in which the
story of the liberation of the people of Israel is told. They show themselves
as good Jews faithful to the Law of God every moment of their lives. This kind
of godliness is needed now more than ever.
We live in a time of intensive individualism. Everyone has
his own telephone, the symbol of this turn to the self. With the telephone the
person does not have to participate in the family, in the classroom, or in any
group that surrounds him. Rather, he can have a virtual community at his
disposal with his phone. Instead of listening to his parents, he can be tutored
by a guru more agreeable to his way of thinking. Instead of reading inspiring
books, he can look at stimulating pictures.
Among other things, the question of sexual intimacy in the
world of individualism is worth attention. The prevailing culture no longer
says that young people must wait until they are married to have sex. Now even
in schools, I am told, they teach that intimacy can be beneficial to anyone.
According to individualism, the unmarried as well as the married have the right
to take advantage of it. It is implied that sex outside of marriage is all
right because it gives people pleasure. There are only two restrictions. Both
people have to give their consent. Also, the act must be "safe", that
is not productive.
It is a big lie. Sexual intimacy is much more than an
innocent experience of pleasure to the individual. Rather, it unites two people
in a relationship that is at the same time spiritual, emotional, and
intellectual as well as physical. Furthermore, it leaves both persons,
particularly the woman, deeply affected. By the mere form of the act the
participants realize that they are not atoms in life. Sooner or later, they
will realize that they are parts of larger units. They are like parts of
molecules in which atoms always have their existence. This means that we cannot
get much from life alone. Each of us needs other people, and most of us need a
stable partner. You cannot overcome the loneliness, the nonsense, and the
reproaches of life without this support. In sexual intimacy without a strong
commitment from the other, one or both people will one day be left feeling defrauded.
It is particularly the duty of parents to relate both the
promise and the responsibility of sexual intimacy. As in other things, you
fulfill this duty by both words and actions. You have to sit down with your adolescents
to talk about it. You also have to model the companionship of marriage by your
support for one another. Today’s gospel ends by saying that Jesus was obedient
to his parents. It is hoped that your children will give the same obedience
when you share with them about married life.
It is time to make New Year’s resolutions. What are we going
to do differently to get more out of life? Attend the noon mass? Very good.
Spend less time on the phone? That sounds right. Talk to our adolescents about
intimate matters? In this way we can imitate the family of Jesus in Nazareth.
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