The Holy Family's Love and Forgiveness (4)

Do you know when the Three Kings visited the Holy Family, they did not just offer them gold, frankincense, and myrrh? In fact, the Kings gave many other precious gifts. Although the total value is not known, but it would not be too surprising if it is enough to build a mansion! If that is the case, then why on the Day of Purification, the Holy Family only offered a pair of turtledoves as sacrifice, which is an offering of the poor? That is because the Holy Family gave many many away, and did not left much for themselves. Yes, they loved God so much, and they indeed chose God over earthly possessions, not just saying it, but deep within the heart. “That evening I saw the Kings in the Crib Cave, taking leave…The Kings' gifts were received by Mary and Joseph with touching humility and sincere thanks to the donors, but with­out any manifestations of pleasure. During the whole of this wonderful visit, I never saw in Mary the least shadow of selfinterest.” And how they loved the poor, in fact how they loved to be poor (i.e. the virtue of poverty)! “I saw neither Mary nor Joseph nor the maid exam­ining the gifts or showing any worldly pleasure on their account. They were accepted with thanks, and with liberality were again distributed to the needy.” Those needy, although it was not specified, but should be the men of Bethlehem. And remember it wasn’t that long ago the people in that place treated the Family with such contempt upon their arrival, yet Joseph and Mary’s concern is the need of their ‘neighbours’. Love your neighbours as yourself. When you loves, you will forgive and forget. Like father, like son. 33 years later, people of Judah will witness an even greater love and forgiveness - when Jesus being nailed on the Cross which stood in the middle of Heaven and earth, to all those who He has cured, He has fed, He has taught, He has helped, He has loved, but now want Him to be crucified, for them He prayed to His Heavenly Father: “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.”

(Reference: The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations, Bl Anne Catherine Emmerich)