Feast of the Holy Family Dec. 26, 2010(Mt 2:13-15, 19-23)
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."
As the Church celebrates the Christmas Season, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Naturally, when Jesus was born, He, his mother Mary, and Joseph became a family. Mary and Joseph welcomed the baby Jesus to the world. But the fragile Jesus was not without threat from unwelcoming people like Herod. Being fragile and helpless is a consequence of the Incarnation. When Jesus chose to become man, He made Himself vulnerable to the dangers of this world, to the same dangers that we ourselves face. But He had a family to protect Him.
Today's Gospel story shows us that the families that obey God's will may also face difficulties and trials, but they are never left alone. God is in the midst of the family that calls upon Him and obeys His will. Today, as our families are threatened by separation, economic problems and a certain bill, we are invited to pray and to listen to the voice of God, who leads His family, the Church, to safety.
We are the Church and we are God's family. As He guided the Holy Family, He also guides us today as we journey here on earth. As we face those who oppose the coming of God's Kingdom, we hear God's voice and we know He is with us. He protects us from all the threats against life, and from all that will lead us away from Him.
Today, we are also reminded to protect life. Mary and Joseph welcomed Jesus as a gift from God. And they both protected Jesus and raised Him well. Mary did not see Jesus as a burden, even though her pregnancy was a scandal to Jewish society and a threat to her life. Mary and Joseph accepted parenthood as a privilege from God. Today's parents are also invited to welcome life, to accept the responsibility of procreation, and to raise a family that is obedient to God.
May the child Jesus be born to every family this Christmas Season. And may God always lead all families, especially the Church, to His embrace and may we all be part of that one, big family group hug with Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Today's Gospel story shows us that the families that obey God's will may also face difficulties and trials, but they are never left alone. God is in the midst of the family that calls upon Him and obeys His will. Today, as our families are threatened by separation, economic problems and a certain bill, we are invited to pray and to listen to the voice of God, who leads His family, the Church, to safety.
We are the Church and we are God's family. As He guided the Holy Family, He also guides us today as we journey here on earth. As we face those who oppose the coming of God's Kingdom, we hear God's voice and we know He is with us. He protects us from all the threats against life, and from all that will lead us away from Him.
Today, we are also reminded to protect life. Mary and Joseph welcomed Jesus as a gift from God. And they both protected Jesus and raised Him well. Mary did not see Jesus as a burden, even though her pregnancy was a scandal to Jewish society and a threat to her life. Mary and Joseph accepted parenthood as a privilege from God. Today's parents are also invited to welcome life, to accept the responsibility of procreation, and to raise a family that is obedient to God.
May the child Jesus be born to every family this Christmas Season. And may God always lead all families, especially the Church, to His embrace and may we all be part of that one, big family group hug with Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
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