Feast of the Holy Family

Our readings for the Feast of the Holy Family are:

1. Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14
2. Psalms 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5
3. Colossians 3: 12-21
4. Luke 2: 22-40

• Dignity cannot be given
• We have all seen it: an elderly, or homeless, or diseased person treated as just a problem to be solved, just one of far too many such problems for the staff on shift, for the allocated budget, the time allowed.  And we wonder what such treatment does to the dignity of the subject of such treatment.  Maybe we shudder, wondering if we are looking down the barrel of our own future.
• Where does dignity ultimately come from?
• Can it be truly taken away?
• How then should we treat each other with dignity, regardless of whether the other person is able to speak up for themselves, demand better treatment, assert that they are worthy?

• The fruit of our handiwork
• We never actually stop working.  Every time that we exercise creativity, build something that was not there before, be it a civic organization, a local library, or a belt buckle, it is all work, all creative, all part of the unfolding of the creation if we do it in prayer.  Injustice deprives us of the fruits of that labor, steals our work from us, gives it away.
• What does it mean to fear the Lord?
• How do you think that fear of the Lord brings justice?
• Does that connection and fear of God always work out?

• Not talking about it is not mercy
• Honesty is the best policy.  Really?
• Think of times that you have finally "had it" with someone, and you decided to speak up about something that's been bugging you for a long time.
• How did that go?
• If something else started to bother you about that person, would you try that honesty thing again?
• Why do you think that worked out that way?

• Trust
• Simeon and Anna both trusted God.  Their trust had no timetable, no expectations of what the promised Messiah would look like, form whence He would come.  They were there, ready, waiting, to see God's deliverance.
• What are you waiting for in your life?
• Is that waiting just a matter of killing time, or is it creative, active, productive?
• Does it have to be all of those things?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Who in my life deserves to be treated with greater dignity?
2. Where is God calling me to bring even a little justice?
3. Where is Love calling me to speak up?
4. Where am I trying to limit God?

Prayer of Anna

Lord, thank you for all of the love that you have heaped upon me through the years.

From those within my family who accepted me when no one else would.

From friends who encouraged me when I was inconsolable.

For the heartaches that have given me strength to persevere.

Thank you for your constant promise of Your Presence in my life,

In the life of my community,

In the life of your people.

Thank you that you never wavered even when I did.

Thank you for this long string of days leading up to this one.

Each providing strength and sustenance for the next.

Each giving me new graces to look back on and rejoice in.

And thank you most of all for today, always today.

Shalom!