Servant of God Joseph De Piro – reflections from his life and writings; Feast of the Holy Family (C)

Sirach 3:2-6. 12-14; Psalm 83:2-3,5-6,9-10; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52.

** Gospel Reading

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.

** Further Reading

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The Servant of God Joseph De Piro has not left many wedding homilies, but he has one which is really holistic: biblical, theological, spiritual and also psychological.

Christ towards the Church

The Husband in relation to his wife

in marriage

“Jesus loves the Church with such a great love that He shed His blood for Her, gave Himself for Her in the Eucharist.”

“The holy bond/union of two hearts whose love and affection are a duty/must”

Jesus protects the Church. He gives her strength to fact all the challenges and difficulties that everyday brings. He helps her to be victorious on all the battles .His Spirit helps and guides Her to walk along the road of truth and justice”

God has placed the husband next to his wife and to him God endowed him with a strong will power, a deep sense of reflection, more energy and courage to face the never ending battle for existence. God has placed the husband to defend his wife, to protect her, to look after her and the courage of his initiative

The Church towards Christ

The Wife towards the husband

The Church reciprocates what Christ does for her through her tenderness. This takes place when She speaks to the hearts and minds about Jesus, from whom she encourages /entice their love for Him. His actions/life are celebrated and remembered in the beauty of her solemn liturgies. These liturgies surround /encapsulate the Royal Presence of her Divine Groom.

The Church consoles the Heart of Jesus that is offended/hurt by many rebellious people.

The wife has been gifted more than her husband in the areas of sentiments, gentleness and piety. Her mission is to make people happy, to make her husband’s life and existence better and to rub balsam on the wounds that the cruel events of everyday life inflict on her husband’s heart. The wife is a source of consolation/support towards/to her husband.

Christ – Church

Husband – Wife

Jesus and the Church have the same holy aim: to strengthen/encourage the hearts that have been generated and grown for a life of grace through the blood of Christ and the Church sacraments.

When God bestows the blessings of paternity on a couple, a new mission starts for them. They need to prepare for the here and now and the eternal future of their children and for the most noble science and very delicate vocation: to form their heart and mind.

In their peaceful domestic sanctuary the couple need to form the honest and loyal person, the virtuous wife, the good and courageous Christian.

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