On this feast day of the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 2 families are presented to us in our 1^st and gospel readings. In our first reading, Hannah went to the temple to present or dedicate her son, Samuel to the Lord for service in fulfillment of her promise. In her words, “Now I in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
In the gospel, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem with the child Jesus at the age 12 for the Passover. Jesus stayed behind and when his parents found him, he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Here, Jesus is telling them about his mission. Nevertheless, he went with them and was obedient to them. Mary pondered this in her heart. 
Dear people of GOD, as we mark the feast of the Holy Family, it’s important to once again remind ourselves that God founded or established the family institution out of love for us. St. John tells us in the second reading, “Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” GOD created the family, a union between man and woman which should be open to procreation. 
What lessons can we learn from the Holy Family?
Love: St John says, “And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.” Mary and Joseph lived together in love. Every Christian couple must strive to imitate their life of love, grace, and mutual respect, knowing each of you is created in the image and likeness of God with dignity and value. See each other as true children of God, gifts to each other that must be given good care, for that is your duty and responsibility towards one another.
We see Mary and Joseph working together. They went to Jerusalem for their religious feast of Passover. They searched for the child together. Every family should learn from them the virtue of collaboration, team work, living in peace and unity.
They participated in their religious activity together with the child. They are teaching families the significance of training children in Christian faith and tradition. It also points to the importance of the spiritual exercise of prayer. Parents/families must pray together. The family is a small or domestic church.
Mary, we are told, pondered or kept all these things in her heart. Parents, husbands and wives, must be like our mother Mary and continue to meditate/reflect and ponder on the Word of God. Couples must continue to listen to God who brought you together on how to live in love, compassion, respect, care and sacrifice for each other. 
Finally, children who are here, hear what was said about Jesus Christ, Son of God, God himself. “He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them.” Children, youth, like Jesus, be obedient to your parents. Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. May you also advance in the life of grace and wisdom.