First reading
1 Samuel 1:20–22, 24–28
This is the child I prayed for: he is made over to the Lord.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 127 (128):1–5
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Second reading
Colossians 3:12–21
Family life in the Lord.
Gospel acclamation
cf. Acts 16:14
Open our heart, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.
Gospel
Luke 2:41–52
Mary stored up all these things in her heart.
Images from the Word
- After the feast
- Three days later
- Under their authority
- Stay there forever
- God’s children
Liturgical notes
The institution of the family faces great challenges in various parts of the world today, and it is entirely appropriate for the homilist to speak about these. However, rather than simply giving a moral exhortation on family values, the preacher should take his cue from the Scripture readings of this day to speak of the Christian family as a school of discipleship.
—Homiletic Directory, §121
In the context of our family, even if that environment feels fragile, we can still grow in life. For us who gather regularly at the table of the Lord, we are called to follow the Lord’s teaching that life is given for the service of others. The pattern of Christ’s self-giving love that we have seen during the Mass must flow into our lives so that we become disciples of our Master.
‘Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.’
—communion antiphon