Day 5 of Christmastide The Holy Family
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the chil lying in the manger. Luke 2.16
A man wraps his arms and his cloak around a woman and baby, as they both gaze tenderly at the newborn child; the woman has eyes only for her son, but the man sees a wider view. His instinctive gesture acknowledges their vulnerability, their need for protection; it proclaims his acceptance of the responsibility to provide those things.
Babies are the centre of attention partly because of their vulnerability. There are others in our human family who are vulnerable too; people of all ages are in need of care and protection; those who are sick, homeless, unemployed, grieving, suffering in all sorts of ways.
Just as Joseph accepts his responsibility to protect Mary and Jesus, so let us accept our responsibility towards caring for others.
What can we do to protect the vulnerable in our society?
What can we do to show our love for them?
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