Simeon and Anna only recognized the Holy Family because God was active in the situation. Simeon needed courage to warn Mary that her joy also heralded pain. Joseph would be presented with a responsibility he had never anticipated.
According to tradition, Joseph died before Jesus began His adult ministry, so he was no longer around to support Mary when she was most in need of his quiet strength and fidelity. Family life may not be a bed of roses. Every family will have problems to face. Every family will know troubles and sorrows. Sometimes break apart because the problems become too many, or the challenges of living together become too great. There can be an unbreakable bond, a unique friendship and an unflinching strength that carries a family through good times and bad. Every family has moments of great joy as well as times that are difficult, when it is only the love between them that gives them the courage they need as they face things they had never expected and would never have wanted. Mary and Joseph gave Jesus the foundation that prepared Him for Calvary – and also for Easter Sunday. May their example and their prayers bring our families courage in the bad times, and joy in the good.