Feast of the Holy Family

Opening Prayer

Jesus

I pray with great anxiety

for there are times when I cannot find you.

I search and I search

and often overlook Your presence.

May I be calmed by Your Word

May I be settled by the sound of Your voice

You are there, calling out to me when I am lost

You will never leave!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 3 :2-6, 12-14

• Are there those whom you have trouble loving? How does knowing God loves them, help you love them too?
• Does the love you have for God look the same or different than the love you have for others? Explain

Colossians 3:12-21

• Where to do you see compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience at work in the world? Give an example of each.
• How do you express these qualities? How often and to whom?

Luke 2:41-52

• Can you relate to Mary and Joseph in this reading? Can you also relate to Jesus?  What is the difference?
• Where do you feel welcomed and accepted? What does it look like? Who is also there?

General Questions for Journaling

• Where does family rate in your life?
• How do you express your feelings toward your family? Do your actions or your words express your feelings? Explain.
• What is the purpose of a family? Do you think your family fulfills its purpose?
• Does God get center reign in your family? Why or why not?  How do you know?
• What do you present to God as an offering for your commitment to Him?
• Have you ever bargained with God? What happened?
• Recall a time when you lost something of great value to you, what was it and what did you do? How did you feel?  Were you able to recover it?  Where did you find it?  Who helped you?
• Describe what you remember of yourself as a child. What did you look like?  What were some of your favorite things?
• How are the things you loved as a child, the same or different than now?  Is that good or bad? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father God, You gave me my first breath

ALL:  because you love me!

Leader:I listen to and follow Your Word

ALL:  because I love You!

Leader:  I learn to accept and forgive

 ALL:  because You ask me to love others!

Leader:  I hold You close

 ALL:  because I love you!

Leader:  I am blessed

ALL:  because you love me!

Challenge for the Week:  The Holy Family was not perfect in the eyes of the world.  Instead, it was made perfect through the eyes of God.  Think about how your family is also made perfect through the eyes of God.  How does this cause you to see others differently?  Are there people whom you will treat differently with this new perspective?  Perhaps there are some whom you need to forgive and welcome back in.  Allow God to make your family perfect!

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