Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122814.cfm
Rodney Dangerfield was one of my favorite comedians. His whole career was built around the phrase "I get no respect." He would state this line, then go on with a string of one-liners based on "no respect." He was great at poking fun at himself and his family.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The one liner that could best describe the Holy Family is, "Respect is a trademark of our family." Without respect, there is no love. A hallmark of love is respect.
Joseph respected Mary even when he thought she was carrying another man's child. Scripture says he had decided to "divorce her quietly." (Matthew 1:19) to save her from shame - until the angel spoke to him and explained things. Joseph married Mary and respected her unique calling. He protected her and loved her child as his own.
In return, Mary respected Joseph by traveling with him to Bethlehem, even though it was so close to delivery. She trusted him to keep her and her baby safe.
Finally, Jesus respected his parents by coming under their authority (though he was the 2nd person of the Trinity). You will recall that, after Mary and Joseph found him in the temple after three days of not knowing where he was, Jesus "went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them." (Luke 2:51) While on the cross, near to death, Jesus showed respect and concern for his widowed mother by giving her to the care of the beloved disciple. (John 19:26)
The Holy Family was not not what you would call your typical family, but there really is no "typical" family. There are many different combinations of folks living together who call themselves "family". Yet, all families, biological or chosen, are called to holiness.
In the first reading from Sirach, we are advised to respect the authority of parents: fathers and mothers. It doesn't depend on liking or not liking the parent. It doesn't depend on their character or their wisdom. It is their position that merits respect.
Parents are called to respect their children, too. I have heard parents in the grocery store talk to their children. Some scream and yell. Some call their children "stupid" or worse. Children deserve respect because they are children of God, made in His image and likeness (even though they don't act godly at times). There are ways to discipline that address the action, not shame the child. RESPECT.
Further, respect goes beyond family members. It encompasses all those in authority: police, firefighters, doctors, judges, teachers, and more. And in return, those in authority are to respect the people they are called to serve. Mutual respect brings about peace in society.
Finally we are to show respect for ourselves as one created in the image of God. Even if no one respects you, you are to develop that self-respect as one created by God. We can show respect for our bodies by our care for them. We show respect for our minds by what we fill them with. Finally we show respect for ourselves by developing a good relationship with God and with others.
Jesus calls us to be an intimate part of the holiest of families: Father, Son and Spirit. Let us approach Jesus in prayer and say, "Come, Lord Jesus."
Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Very good, Deacon Tom! Respect--mutual respect--is so important! YES, children must respect their parents but parents also need to respect the human dignity of their children. One thing that I will always appreciate & admire about my Mom is that even when I was a child she showed me respect by not demeaning me & even by asking if she could borrow or use something that was mine, even though as my Mom she had every right to borrow or use it, by virtue of her position & also because most likely she was the one who had given it to me.
ReplyDeleteThere would be a lot less trouble in this world and in families if people lived by the principle of mutual respect: husbands and wives mutually respecting each other, parents and children mutually respecting each other, and everyone respecting the right to life & human dignity of every creature of God, especially every human life, whether born or unborn, male or female, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, etc.--no exceptions.