Incarnation & The Holy Family: Cui bono? II

III. Attributes of a Holy Family
- Piety studied the Faith and ‘taught’ it to Jesus (in His humanity). The obeyed the essential precept of Deut 6:7 of meditating on the Law and teaching their offspring.

Holy Family instruct human intellect ways of their faith. Jesus one person 2 natures, human & divine. BVM & Joseph lively confidence and duty to teach Jesus. Tragedy if parents do not teach about God. Bereft of essential information.
-Obedience to sacred and civil authorities to the extent possible. Cursory understanding Temple religious practice terribly corrupt. Roman Court also terribly corrupt as well.

Ways they were obedient, fulfilled obligations, Presentation of the Temple, follow rules to be counted in census to the state go to Bethlehem. Sometimes we do not understand purpose of obedience but God does, in so far as one is able.

Herod dictat, stay put so I can pay homage. Obedience to religious or civil less to that spoken by the angel to leave quickly. Prudently discerned when to give obedience.

-right order of affections. God first, M&J second. So too with our own loves, God first, spouse second, children third. Pets are not children. Joseph received the dreams and Mary responded to his leadership. Jesus in the Temple shows love of God supersedes love of parents but does abrogate his responsibilities to his parents.
- Joseph provided, worked, for his family. Vows of poverty is not destitution. Earthly goods not amassed but depend on Divine Providence. Poverty neither virtue or vice. Embrace of material poverty for the sake of the Kingdom.

Three gifts of wise men. Gold, frankincense (priesthood) and myrrh (death). Queen of Sheba laden in gold
From Mass Assumption of Mary during the Day
PS 45:10, 11, 12, 16
R. (10bc) The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.