Daily Reflections ...

Jesus is born in Bethlehem, escapes to Egypt and finally settles in the town of Nazareth, in the district of Galilee in Northern Israel. Most of his life is spent in Nazareth, before setting out on his mission to establish the Reign of God. Little is known about his family life, but Mary and Joseph created a home where he could flourish, for ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour.’ (Luke 2:52) 

Is home a house where one grows up  before leaving to make your own, or is it the life that is lived with your family in a variety of places? Most of us have lived in multiple houses. Currently, I live in house number 12 but some of my siblings have resided in over 30 dwellings. While we are identified by our place of birth and influenced by the culture and lifestyle of our childhood, our primary sense of belonging comes from the people who have loved, nourished, educated, and supported us on our life journey.

For Jesus, it was Mary and Joseph, his cousins and the local townspeople who formed the community where he grew up. So likewise, to flourish, we need to learn to be loved and love in return. Home is the cauldron where ordinary actions become powerful lessons about love. Oh, that all our homes would be havens of joy and love. 

By Mike Humphrys