Joseph and Mary Search for Jesus in the Temple

The Pains of Parenthood:

The Challenge to be Faithful Parents. 

Leader:
Oh Most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph; intercede for us who seek your help.

All:
For in you we place all our faith and all our trust.

Meditation:
(Lk. 2:46-48) After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."

Reflection:
To be good and caring parents requires much dedication and effort. Parents must learn to die to self so that the tendency toward selfishness will be transformed into a willingness to sacrifice all things for their children. Far too many parents have yet to learn this great lesson of selfless love. The desire to put personal interests first is a temptation that never rests.

Prayer-All:
We pray that all married couples who accept the responsibility of parenthood, will also accept the challenges this vocation demands. Oh Holy Family, do not let parents forget their duty to sacrifice self, so that their children too may learn to love and to serve.

Our Father...
Hail Mary....
Glory be to the Father...