FOREVER FAITHFUL
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: We celebrate today the Feast of the Holy Family. Each of our families is called to be a “holy family”! We can be a holy family – each in its own unique way – to the extent that we imitate the Holy Family of Nazareth in their fidelity to one another.
Penitential Rite
L: Let us ask the Lord to forgive us for the times we have hurt one another in our families.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Christ Jesus, you were faithful to your heavenly Father
and your earthly parents: Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you call us to a life of fidelity: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: O God,
you cradle us at the beginning of life
and embrace us at our journey’s end,
for you love us as your own.
Bind our families together
and deepen our faith,
that, like the Holy Family of Nazareth,
we may grow in wisdom,
obedient to your word.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3
Psalm Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Response The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Reading 2 Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Gospel Luke 2:22-40
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine being with Joseph and Mary as they took Jesus “up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” What are your thoughts and feelings when the parents of the Son of God “offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons”, and/or when you hear Simeon’s words to Mary?
Sunday Snippets
Timothy Stackpole was a New York fire fighter. In June 1998‚ he was severely injured in a fire. He had fourth/ fifth degree burns over 40% of his body, which needed multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation. He had two goals: to spend as much time as he could with his family and to return to his job. Despite the advice of friends and family, and the fact that he could retire comfortably, he returned to work on 10 March 2001.
On 9/11, Stackpole had just finished duty when he heard news of the disaster. He rushed to the second tower. It collapsed shortly thereafter and took his life. He died forever faithful to his calling.
Forever faithful! These words sum up the thrust of today’s readings and speak for each character in them.
The first and second readings extol the faith of Israel’s first family. God promises Abraham many descendants. Abraham, though old and childless, “put his faith in the Lord.” God asks Abraham to leave his homeland and to sacrifice his son. Abraham is forever faithful.
The gospel recounts the faith of the Holy Family. Joseph and Mary present their son in the temple “just as it is written in the law of the Lord.” They did and would undergo difficult times; their son, Simeon tells them, “is destined… to be a sign that will be contradicted.” They remain forever faithful. Simeon and Anna are idealized portraits of the faithful remnant of Israel awaiting the Messiah’s coming.
Forever faithful! That’s the challenge and invitation to our families today… despite all the pressures, tensions, and crises we face.
Will you and I remain faithful to God and to one another despite and in the face of troubles?
Dag Hammarskjold wrote: “When the morning’s freshness has been replaced by the weariness of midday, when the leg muscles quiver under the strain, the climb seems endless, and suddenly nothing will go quite as you wish… it is then that you must not hesitate.”
These words are so apt for our life in family (and in the kingdom!). It requires faithfulness “till death do us part”: a hand on the plough with no looking back, steadfast perseverance, fighting the good fight of faith.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: How do we keep our faith as a family? Do we keep it for ourselves in our families as a personal treasure, or are we able to share it by our witness, by our acceptance of others, by our openness?
Reading 2: By faith Abraham obeyed God and believed him. How do I manifest my faith in God especially when his will is difficult for me to accept?
Gospel: The phrase “the law of the Lord/ Moses” occurs five times in the gospel text! Mary and Joseph were so faithful to God’s law. What thought does their fidelity evoke in me? How faithful am I to the law of God?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: On this feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, let us pray to God our Father as one family of his sons and daughters: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For God’s family of the Church: that it may keep defending respect for life, the call to fidelity and love, the sacredness of the marriage bond, we pray…
R: For all peoples on the earth: that they have a greater respect for the dignity of marriage and family, we pray…
R: For mothers: that, like Mary, they may have a warm heart and a spirit of service, care for their children, and teach them generosity and courage, we pray…
R: For fathers: that , like Joseph, they may be industrious and sacrificing, and may prepare their children to become responsible adults, we pray…
R: For children: that as they grow up they may appreciate their parents and be grateful to them, we pray…
R: For all who have no families: that those who have been orphaned, alienated, or rejected by their families may experience love, acceptance, and belonging through Christian communities, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that God may open our hearts to truly hear one another and give us the courage to share our deeper selves with those with whom we share a commitment, we pray…
L: Lord our God, Jesus grew up in a human family. May Mary and Joseph teach us to let Jesus grow up in us, for he is Lord for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord, the Holy Family of Nazareth had their joys—the joy
of the birth of their first-born (albeit in difficult circumstances),
of the presence of shepherds and wise men
(representing the gamut of society!),
of being able to make the prescribed offering in the Temple,
of seeing their son grow in wisdom and stature.
They had their trials and sorrows too—
an arduous journey to Bethlehem,
not finding room for Mary to give birth to her first-born
and being compelled to lay him in a manger,
having to flee their homeland to escape Herod,
and many more.
They were like any other human family!
Through their joys, trials, and sorrows,
They were faithful to you and to one another.
May we imitate their fidelity
trusting in your care and love for us,
and your constant presence in our lives.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God our Father,
you gave to your Son Jesus
the warmth and security of a family
with Mary and Joseph at Nazareth.
Make your Son also share the life
of all our Christian families
and make your Church a community
where we learn to accept and help one another
as members of one family.A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
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