December 27-28: The Day of the Lord / El Día del Señor

A very real family, the Holy Family, is placed before us in the Octave of Christmas. The Church invites us to wonder about and imagine how and why they are so “holy.” And the Church teaches us that they are to be called “holy” because they entered into what we call “real and true humanity – touched by the grace of God.”

Joseph and Mary were themselves two obedient “children of God,” and they knew how to listen, how to ponder, and how to seek to do the right thing, always and everywhere. They dutifully taught Jesus to do the same. And in His public ministry we get a few clues about what family life in Nazareth might have been like.

For example, we find Him being compassionate and tender with a widow whose only son had died. He was comfortable in a variety of homes, especially in the home of His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (and He was unbothered by a brief spat between the two sisters). And one of His most memorable parables was about a Prodigal Son who was on the receiving end of tender mercy and kindness, thanks to a father who was exceedingly generous.

Jesus became a human being. He wonderfully revealed God – in large part because He was raised in a family. They listened to God, who called them to compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Their response to that calling is what made them “holy.” They “put on love” which is the bond of perfection. And we can, too.

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La Navidad nos recuerda que la presencia de Dios no responde siempre a nuestras expectativas. Dios se nos ofrece, con frecuencia, donde nosotros menos lo esperamos. Ciertamente hemos de buscar a Dios en la oración y el silencio, en la constante superación de nuestro egoísmo, en la vida fiel y obediente a su voluntad, pero Dios se nos puede ofrecer cuando quiere y como quiere, incluso, en lo más ordinario y común de la vida.

Ahora sabemos que lo podemos encontrar en cualquier ser indefenso y débil que, tal vez, necesita de nuestra acogida. No hace falta encontrarse con nada extraordinario ni portentoso. No son necesarios milagros ni prodigios. En el fondo de cualquier ser humano podemos descubrir la presencia de ese Dios que ha querido encarnarse en lo humano.

¡Feliz Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia!