life is a ...
"On the third day they came upon Him in the temple." —Luke 2:46
Shakespeare said the world is a stage and life is a play. Others say life is a beach, party, or game. Job said life was a drudgery (Jb 7:1). The Lord reveals to us that life is a Passover (see Lk 2:41) — a communal celebration of our God-given freedom from slavery. Life is not just a nostalgic look at Passovers past, but the living of Passover present. Life is losing Christ for three days (see Lk 2:46), being crucified and buried with Him (Rm 6:3-4), and searching for the Lord in sorrow (Lk 2:48; Jn 20:15). Life is also finding Christ and rising with Him "on the third day" (Lk 2:46; Jn 20:16).
All of this is "the Father's business" (Lk 2:49, our transl). This is everyday life and family life. This is the way of holiness in life and in family. We become holy by becoming like God (see 1 Pt 1:15-16). We become like God by being baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection (Rm 6:3ff) and living our Baptisms through daily crosses and repeated experiences of the Resurrection. As our lives become Passovers, we and our families become holy. Like Jesus, we progress "steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men" (Lk 2:52). Holy Family, pray for us.
Prayer: Father, center my life on celebrating, receiving, and living the New Passover, the Eucharist (see Lk 22:15).
Promise: "He who honors his father atones for sins; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard." —Sir 3:3-5
Praise: Praise Jesus, the incarnate, risen Son in the Holy Family! Praise You, Jesus, for loving us so much and living in a family just like us.
Reference: (For teachings on family, order our leaflets, How To Get Your Kids to go to Church and Go To Heaven, and There's No Place Like Home-(Schooling).)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997