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Saint Gertrude Parish - Lasne
December 28, 2025
On this page you will find:
The readings for Mass, the Mass leaflet with the choice of hymns
A sample universal prayer available for download, in PDF and editable Word formats.
A meditation on the Sunday Gospel, a spiritual text and commentary by Marie-Noëlle Thabut
The Holy Family
Party
“Get up; take the child and his mother,
and flee to Egypt.
Matthew 2:13
Readings from the Mass
Mass leaflet
Universal Prayer
Consult the Lectio Divina page, which invites you to read the Gospel in a prayerful atmosphere so that you may be touched in your heart. It is important not to rush to read commentaries or homilies before having this personal experience of encountering Christ in Scripture.
Next, if you wish, you can read the meditations below which will enrich your personal reading and meditation.
Méditation
Meditation by Pope Francis
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The term "holy" places this family within the realm of holiness, which is a gift from God but, at the same time, a free and responsible adherence to God's plan. This was true for the family of Nazareth: they were completely open to God's will.
How can we not be amazed, for example, by Mary's docility to the action of the Holy Spirit who asked her to become the mother of the Messiah? Because Mary, like all the young women of her time, was going to realize her life project, that is to say, marry Joseph.
Homily
Draw from the source
On this first Sunday after Christmas, the Church invites us to celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. They are presented to us as the model for all families. This feast was established around the 1920s; at that time, there was already concern about the changing nature of the family. Over the years, the situation has become increasingly critical: couples separating, children left to fend for themselves and falling into delinquency, families living in poverty. And of course, we do not forget the many victims of violence and hatred.
Long before the coming of Jesus, Ben Sirach brings us back to what is essential. His discourse may seem moralizing. But when we listen to him, it is God who speaks to us. He wants every family to be happy. And he shows them the path that will allow them to achieve true harmony: “The success of an authentic family life is achieved only through a constant struggle against selfishness” (A. Brunot). In the very name of their faith, children have a duty to honor their parents, even when they are very frail. Later, Christians will understand that through them, it is God who is present.
In his letter to the Colossians (second reading), Saint Paul calls us to “live together in Christ.” He outlines the virtues that foster a beautiful family life: tenderness, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. And “above all, let there be love.” All of this will only be truly possible if we allow Christ to dwell within us. At this Christmas time, we celebrate the birth of Jesus: he wants to be born within us as well, to transform our lives and make them more and more conformed to his love. To live Christmas is first and foremost to welcome Christ into our lives.
Understanding the readings
with Marie-Noëlle THABUT
Une parole pour la route
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