FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

December 27, 2009 The Feast of the Holy Family

In the old Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy comedies of the 1930’s, the characters would invariably get themselves into big trouble. In those moments Ollie would predictably fume and say to Stan: “Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into!” In today’s Gospel about the young Jesus staying behind in the temple, Jesus has gotten himself into a fine mess. As a result he gets seriously grounded. Mary and Joseph are upset, and as they begin again to return home to Nazareth it’s very quiet along the way. It was the first of a series of fine messes for Jesus. His radical life was always like that. He lived on the road as if he were a hunted criminal. Pharisees would challenge him. Nazareth would trough him out, Judas would betray him. In the end Pilate would crucify him. But one thing remained constant: He was always about his Father’s business.

Deacon Dick Folger