Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’
19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’
Unity Amidst Family Challenges
The life of Christ as a human being was not protected from danger. From his very beginning, he was exposed to death because of political issues. God had his ways to save the boy though. That’s why they had to go to Egypt until Herod the Great died.
This scripture passage also tells us about St. Joseph, who deserves our attention and a special meditation about his person and role in the Gospel. He was a man of faith, trust and obedience to God. He had some doubts about his fiancée though. Sometimes we all have doubts in our faith. Joseph doubted Mary, but then had a dream where the angel explained the mystery of the Incarnation and said to take Mary to his own house. It’s important for us to keep trusting the Lord.
Between the lines, we can see the person and character of Joseph. He was a wise craftsman known for his purity and his good care of Mary and Jesus. The Gospel depicts him traveling with Mary to Bethlehem, then going to Egypt, coming back to Bethlehem, and then going on to Nazareth. The trip to Egypt had more risks than if Joseph had dismissed Mary discreetly as he originally planned. The law in Deuteronomy 22:21 instructs that a woman who has been promiscuous before marriage will be stoned to death in the door of her father’s house. Joseph dismissing her would have ended her life, while the trip to Egypt risked all three of their lives. It is at least 200 miles between Bethlehem and Egypt. They would have first gone through the desert and been exposed to thieves (as in the parable of the good Samaritan), along with traders, wild animals and border crossings. They would have needed food and safe places to stay along the way. The desert is very cold at night. The holy family encountered what our current homeless, hungry, restless and refugees experience today. This picture is a beautiful illustration of St. Joseph watching over Mary and Jesus in the wilderness as they travel to Egypt.
The last time we see Joseph in the Gospel is when he and Mary go up to the Temple for Jesus’s profession of faith. They discover he’s missing on their way home and then find Jesus in the Temple and go back to Nazareth together. This is where Joseph disappears without further news. His example of a faithful husband and father is often forgotten in our daily life, yet Joseph deserves to be honored and a model for us today. All families would benefit by emulating his wisdom, family administration, obedience to God, willingness to take risks, and cooperation with Mary and Jesus.
As we remember the holy family on their way to and from Egypt, we pray that parents today may share responsibility and mutual respect in caring for their children as Joseph and Mary did. Let us pray to see St. Joseph present in churches through the pastors, following his examples of wisdom, obedience to God, and discretion; not for their own glory but God's glory, and to serve their parishes as he served Mary and Jesus. Like St. Joseph, may we be obedient to God, keep trusting him, pray and seek God as we make our decisions. God is our loving father, protecting, guiding and blessing us every day and in all circumstances!
Father Kamal - January 3, 2021