December 28, 2008
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12,17-19; Luke 2:22-40 [17B]
EXEGESIS
In the United States Catholic tradition, the celebration of the Holy Family is a moveable feast that falls on the Sunday after Christmas. The set of readings for this feast day not only give us insight into family matters from our biblical tradition—ranging from Abraham and Sarah to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—they also provide some good guidelines for modern Catholic families.
The first reading from Genesis is best understood by reviewing the original covenant that God established with Abraham from Genesis 12:7—“To your descendents I will give this land.” Today’s reading begins with Abram’s concern that he has no children (descendents), no biological heirs, with his wife Sarai. So Abram asked God, “O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be since you have given me no offspring?” God reassured Abram, saying, “Your own issue shall be your heir... Look up in the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendents be.” When God saw that Abram “put his faith in the LORD, [God] credited it to him as an act of righteousness.”
Abram’s faith in God proved not to be in vain. The reading for today ends with the narration of the birth of Isaac, the firstborn son to Abraham and Sarah. How many modern Catholic families could learn from Abram to place faith and trust in God when confronted with the family problems of today!
The reading from Hebrews speaks of Abraham and the depth of his faith in God as a model to imitate. In fact, Hebrews 11 (see all verses, 1-40) presents a long list of figures from the Old Testament who serve as examples of faith for us to model. When speaking of family matters, Abraham serves well as a model of faith.
Abraham’s faith in God’s promise remained strong even when confronted his entire life with the burden and heartache of a childless marriage, The Gospel reading from Luke narrates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, as well as the prophetic words of Simeon and Anna. Being law-abiding Jews, Mary and Joseph came to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer animal sacrifices, so that their firstborn son would be “consecrated to the Lord.” Upon entering the Temple, Simeon, a “righteous and devout” man, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied the universal salvation that the infant Jesus would bring to the world—“a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The eighty-four-year-old widowed Anna, for her part, “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke concludes this episode by summarily stating that upon their return to Nazareth, “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” We are left to presume that Mary and Joseph, as faithful and lovingparents, raised Jesus with the same hopes and fears that all parents
have for their children. Like Abraham and Sarah before them, Mary and Joseph raised their firstborn son with the faith and trust that God was with them on their journey. We can be assured that our God remains as faithful to us and our families as he was to our ancestors in faith. When we turn to Scripture, we find ancient role models calling us to imitate their faith in God in our own lives as Christian families. Excerpted from Connect, Dr. Daniel J. Scholz
BULLETIN CONNECTION
St. Luke likes to include little homey details in his stories. One detail in today’s Gospel passage has an interesting message for families. We are told that when Mary and Joseph presented their baby son at the temple, they offered the sacrifice of a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons, as the Law of Moses prescribed. Perhaps Luke was being kind by simply writing about the sacrifice this way. More likely, he knew his readers didn’t need an explanation. But we do: The Law of Moses in Leviticus 12:7-8, required that a sheep be sacrificed after the birth of a child.
In the very public setting of the Temple it is likely that most parents did everything they could to come up with the money to pay for a sheep. Mary and Joseph could not afford the best for their son. Of this we can be sure—it made no difference to their baby at all! Margaret Bowman
Maria Sirota's "Nativity"
Saint Joseph's Church presents the Nativity Creche of New York artist Maria Sirota, currently displayed in the church rectory window facing 6th Avenue.Maria Sirota's "Nativity" is a hyper-realistic sculpture in an unusually small scale. Every detail of this creche is optically realistic. While being a modern piece of art that applies contemporary mixed media, it also brings out the traditions of high classicism.
The artist believes that the true need for a creche, as initially intended by Saint Francis, originates in the desire to be "in-touch" with the greatest event in history (where even some world masterpiece paintings are not enough because they are 2-dimensional) and not just to see the Nativity depicted, but to be present at the event, to experience it together with the kings and shepherds.
One can say this goal is achieved by Maria Sirota.
Wednesday, New Year’s Eve
12:10 PM
5:00 PM
Thursday, New Year’s Day
11:30 AM
Friday, January 2
There will be one Mass at 5:30.
The rectory office will be closed on January 1 & 2.
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR PARISH IN YOUR WILL
No matter what the size of your estate, if you want to provide for relatives, friends and our Parish you will need a WILL. If you die without one, you lose your ability to control the disposition of your assets. The state law in which you reside will tell your family where your money and property goes. Further, income tax and estate savings, which might be arrange through a careful review of your alternatives in naming our Parish as a charitable beneficiary in your Will is simple. For further information, you and/or your attorney may contact
Director, Planned Gifts
The Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue, SI400
New York, NY10022
Telephone: 212-371-1000, E3317
December 31, last day for theCatholics in New York - 1808 through 1946 Exhibit
at Museum of the City of New York
When: Friday, May 16th, 2008 thru to December 31, 2008
Time: Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 5 PM
Where: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue, New York,NY10029
Cost: Suggested Donation is $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and students and $20.00 for a family.
Catholics in New York 1808-1946, on view May 16 through December 31, 2008, at the Museum of the City of New York, will explore the social and political history of the diverse group of people who established the formidable Catholic presence in New York. The exhibition, the first of its kind, traces their growth from a tiny religious minority to a powerful force in the city and shows how, by organizing to build their own communities, institutions, and political organizations, Catholics reshaped the fabric of life in all five boroughs. A companion illustrated publication, edited by Terry Golway and published by Fordham University Press, will be available in the Museum’s Shop.
FEAST DAYS, SCRIPTURE CITATIONS
AND SPECIAL INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
SATURDAY, December 27 John,apostle & evangelist
1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8
12:10 PM Helen Kirby Shiel
5:30 PM Frank & Lucille DiLeo
SUNDAY, December 28Holy family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
9:00 AM Helen Kirby Shiel
11:30 AM
6:00 PM
MONDAY, December 29Thomas Becket, bishop, martyr
1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35
12:10 PM
5:30 PM Lenore DiGiglio
TUESDAY, December 30
1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40
12:10 PM Angel Vega
5:30 PM Gloria Berardini
WEDNESDAY, December 31 Sylvester I, pope
1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
12:10 PM Rachel Tortoriello
5:00 PM Helen & Eugene Kennedy
THURSDAY,January 1Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God
OFFICE IS CLOSED
Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
9:00 AM
11:30AM Rose Arias
FRIDAY, January 2Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors
OFFICE IS CLOSED
1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28
12:10 PM
5:30 PM
SATURDAY, January 3Holy Name of Jesus
1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Jn 1:29-34
12:10 PM
5:30 PM Michael & Louise Mangano
- 1st. Monday/mo. Pax Christi Bd. Mtg. – 6:30 PM in the PCYMNY office
- 1st. Fri. of the mo. Novena to the Sacred Heart after the 5:30 PM Mass
- 1st. Sat. of the mo. Blessings for the Sick after the 12:10 Mass
- 2nd. Wed. of the mo. Altar Rosary 7:00 PM - Library
PARISH ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
Please visit the new website often: washingtonsquarecatholic.orgfor the latest news on the NYUCatholicCenter, St. Joseph’s Parish and links to lots of Catholic organizations and interests.
MONDAY
6:30 PM Centering Prayer Church
WEDNESDAY
7:00 PM Altar Rosary Library
FRIDAY
6:15 PM St. Egidio Prayer Church SATURDAY
10:00 AM or 1:00 PM Soup Kitchen Casserly Hall
6:00 PM Alcoholics Anonymous Casserly Hall
SUNDAY
9:15 AM Children’s Religious Instruction Farrell Hall
10:00 AM Sunday Scripture Discussion Library
2:30 PM Roman Forum Lectures Casserly Hall
7:00 PM NYU/Grad Law Dinner Catholic Ctr