THE HOLY FAMILY
First Sunday After The Epiphany
Within the Octave
Within the Octave
From eternity, the Son of God had lived the family life of the
Blessed Trinity. At Nazareth, as the Redeemer both of individuals and of
families, He lived and made holy the home life that guards divine life
in every baptized person.
Problems of family life center mainly in personalities. But social
pressures and poverty also add disturbing tensions. Happily, God made
marriage a sacrament, which is ministered by husband and wife to one
another. Through the sacrament, they communicate to one another those
special graces they need for living their enduring and sometimes
difficult obligations.
God remains the third partner in every marriage, with His own
inalienable rights. In the Holy Family, God Incarnate was the third
member. In a Christian family, anywhere in the world, the father is the
spiritual head who takes the place of Christ.
INTROIT (Prov. 23:24, 25)
The Father of the just one greatly rejoices. Let your father and your mother be joyful, and let her who bore you be glad. Ps. 83:2, 3. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns and faints for the courts of the Lord. V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
O Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified home life with untold virtues by
being subject to Mary and Joseph. May they assist us to imitate the
example of Your Holy Family, so that we may share with them their
eternal happiness; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .
Commemoration of the First Sunday After The Epiphany
O Lord, mercifully hear the plea of those who call upon You, that
Your people may understand their duty and be strengthened to fulfill it.
Through Our Lord . . .
EPISTLE (Col. 3:12-17)
Brethren: Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: Bearing
with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint
against another. Even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But
above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are
called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in
you abundantly: in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts
to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
GRADUAL (Ps. 26:4; 83:5)
One thing I have asked of the Lord; this will I seek after: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. V.Happy they who dwell in Your house, O Lord! They shall praise You forever and ever.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Isa. 45:15)
Verily You are a hidden king, the God of Israel, the Savior.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL (Luke 2:42-52)
And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem,
according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days,
when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his
parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a
day's journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.
And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it
came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them
questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his
answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to
him: "Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have
sought thee sorrowing." And he said to them: "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"
And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went
down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his
mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom
and age and grace with God and men.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Luke 2:22)
The parents of Jesus took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
SECRET
O Lord, we offer You this sacrifice in atonement for our sins. May
the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and blessed Joseph, ever
bestow Your peace and grace upon our families. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration
May the sacrifice we offer You, O Lord, bring us new life and keep us safe. Through Our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 2:51)
Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.
POSTCOMMUNION
We are refreshed by Your heavenly Sacrament, O Lord Jesus. Help us
always to follow the example of Your Holy Family, that Your glorious
Virgin Mother and blessed Joseph may meet us at the hour of our death,
and find us worthy to enter with You into Your eternal home; who lives
and rules with God the Father . . .
Commemoration
Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your
Sacrament may live a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through Our
Lord . . .
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