The Feast of The Holy Family
Readings: 1 Samuel 1:20–22, 24–28, Psalm 83(84):2–3, 5–6, 9–10, 1 John 3:1–2, 21–24, Luke 2:41–52
29 December 2024
We are already the children of God. 1 JN 3:2
I have never been able to read the story of Hannah and Samuel without wondering at Hannah, who cried out so desperately to God for a child, then handing her son over to God to be brought up by someone else. There’s something confronting in this sacrifice of her longed-for son which the Scriptures treat as perfectly natural.
Today’s Gospel has a similarly confusing scene: Jesus, after causing his parents all sorts of anxiety in staying behind in the Temple, placidly tells his mother that, “[He] had to be about his Father’s business” (Lk 2:49). What is all of this repudiation of the natural ties of family about?
John tells us in the second reading that we are all ultimately the children of God. Hence, it seemed very natural to Hannah that the son that God gave her belonged also to God, and she freely chose to give him back to God. And Jesus, knowing that he was God’s Son, naturally wanted to spend more time in his Father’s house.
What about us? Do we know our own deepest identity as God’s children? Does our knowing of God as loving Father enable us to approach him confidently, knowing that we can ask for all that we
need? Can we entrust our own children and loved ones to his care?
Father, thank you for loving me and making me part of your family. Help me to grow in knowing and trusting you. Amen.
Katherine Stone MGL
Artist Spotlight
Holy Family with a Palm Tree by Raffaello Santi, Raffaello De Urbino, Rafael Sanzio De Urbino (AKA Raphael) (1483–1520)
The Holy Family With a Palm Tree (c. 1506-1507). Oil and gold on canvas, transferred from panel, diameter 101.5cm. National Galleries Scotland. Public Domain.
Never plant a tree on its own in an exposed space. It will be at the mercy of every adverse wind and may end up twisted or stunted. If you wish your tree to grow to its full potential, plant it in a more sheltered place—and never on its own. You must plant some other trees with it.
Importantly, you must get the space between the trees right—not too close that they might stifle each other, but close enough to provide protection for each other.
Just as it is not good for a tree to be alone, it is not good for us to be alone. For our mental health, we need ties of friendship with others. God made us for community—as he is community: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We can never be complete in ourselves.
This is where the family is so important. There we learn to form relationships with others. There we learn to use the word “we” for the first time. Inability to relate to others is a great handicap in life. We are at the mercy of the cold winds of loneliness. In the family, we learn to share and become responsible for each other.
Being so close has its own risks, of course. We have the possibility of hurting each other or healing each other. Sadly, some people are outside angels and inside devils.
Harmony in the family can only come about by the practice of the virtues. St Paul spells them out: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness (Col 3:12–13). But they are not easy to practise with consistency.
In today’s society, the family is under a lot of pressure. It’s not that we no longer value the family, the problem is we lack the discipline to make it work. The family must be built on commitment and self-sacrifice. What we often have, instead, is adults acting like children who are sensual, lazy, and unforgiving. Many cannot accept they may need counselling. They may be scarring their children for life.
It was by living in a small community of love that Jesus matured. He grew up with parents who both listened to God. When Jesus spoke of God as Father, it was Joseph he was thinking of. Jesus’ enlightened attitude to women reflected the way he saw Joseph interact with Mary.
In the community of the family, we find our place, we have an identity, we cement bonds. If the family undergoes hardships, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Trees that grow on hard ground have firmer roots and are better equipped to face the inevitable storm. “And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men” (Lk 2:52).
The tondo (a circular painting) was popular in Renaissance Florence for private homes. But it meant the artist had to carefully plan its composition. The Holy Family with a Palm Tree (1506–1507) is one of several versions Raphael painted on this theme. The palm tree is often associated with Egypt, yet in this artwork, it could be symbolising victory, triumph, and martyrdom. Raphael’s depiction may subtly suggest Christ’s triumph over sin and death.
In the religious world, St Joseph was growing in importance (cf. the influence of Teresa of Avila in the decades after Raphael’s death.) Here, Joseph is depicted not as an old man, but as the protector of the Madonna and Child. He carries his pilgrim’s staff, symbolising his readiness to obey God’s call to change course, and is adorned in regal purple and gold attire. The Child is listening to him in rapt attention, having offered him some flowers he has picked up; Mary is sitting at a well. The Family have found some respite. Raphael has certainly captured the bond between the Holy Family.
Raffaello Santi was born in Urbino, Italy, in 1483. At the renowned Ducal Court, he would have been exposed to a cultured lifestyle. In 1508, Pope Julius II summoned him to Rome, where he would spend his final 12 years embellishing the papal residences and the Sistine Chapel, and assuming the role of architect for St Peter’s Basilica, changing the plans of the basilica from a Greek to a Latin cross. On his 37th birthday, he passed away, with the entire Papal Court present at his funeral, where Pope Leo X openly shed tears.
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer, retired parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Unanderra, NSW, was ordained in 1969 and served in many parishes in the Diocese of Wollongong. He was chancellor and secretary to Bishop William Murray for 13 years. Raised in Port Macquarie and educated by the Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar, he worked for the Department of Attorney General and Justice before entering St Columba’s College in 1962. He enjoys travelling and visiting major European art galleries.
Katherine Stone MGL, a Missionaries of God’s Love sister based in Varroville, NSW, joined the MGL Sisters in 2005. Originally from Tasmania, she has lived in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney. She has studied theology and spiritual direction and served as a formator. Her ministries include spiritual direction, teaching, talks, retreats, and serving as the Sisters’ vocations director. She is passionate about Jesus and loves discussing him and hearing others share their experiences.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, The Sign: Advent and Christmas Reflections 2024. Reproduced with permission.
