December 31, 2017 Sunday, THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

Psalm 128

Colossians 3:12-21

Luke 2:22-40

Put on, as God’s chosen ones…heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another… Col 3:12-13

Lord, today Paul gives us the formula for a holy and happy family life.  O how our families and our world would be transformed if we could all embrace these values.  I can look back on the year just ending and see times when there was harmony and love in my family.  There have also been times of conflict and distress.  At all times I trust you have been with us.  Lord, I can’t control what others do or how they act.  But I can control how I respond to them.  As I look ahead to the year to come with all its uncertainty I can be sure there will be times when I will be faced with a decision of how to react to the challenges of family life.  Lord, help me to slow down and recall Paul’s encouragement to be compassionate, kind, humble and patient.  Dear Jesus, I entrust my family to you.  I look forward to your grace-filled hand on my shoulder as I walk with you this coming year.  Amen.