FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (YEAR A)

1st Reading               Sirach 3:3-7, 14-17

Psalm                         128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (R. cf. 1)

R:// "O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways!"

2nd Reading             Colossians 3: 12-21

Gospel                         Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

DREAM, OBEY, AND PROTECT

Friends, Peace and Goodness! Today is the last Sunday of the year. It is also the feast of the Holy Family. The Holy Family is the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. As we bring the year to a close, the Holy Family becomes a model for a virtuous Christian life. This Sunday, I suggest we consider the Gospel passage.

The Gospel passage is from Matthew 2:13-15,19-23. It is the flight to Egypt. In that passage, we hear the names of each of the members of the Holy Family. It is not enough to identify the names, but what will help us should be the various functions and roles they perform in relation to Christian virtue. Let us pay attention to a few things.

The first thing I think should catch our attention is that Joseph’s actions emanated from dreams. He is a dreamer. That leads us to Joseph of the Old Testament, who is also a dreamer. Notice that Joseph did not speak in the passage. He only acted. The fact still remains that he dreamt. The word "dream" appeared in the passage at least three times. Why should that be of attention. 

A person dreams only in the state of sleep. Sleeping is a state of inactivity. That is a great pause from the daily pursuits of life. Sleeping a moment a great pause and deep reflection. It is when we dream that we pause from life's activities and reflect. From reflection, we develop strategies and skills to maneuver the plans of our enemies. Additionally, notice that whenever Joseph dreams there is always angelic mediation. That is precisely the presence of God. Our pauses and reflections are never left without the presence of God. God does not only guide the course of reflection, but gives the needed insights for life. I think that should be a primary function and activity of a father of a house. He should dream for the family. 

The second details is that Joseph had a dream and had to move at night. The image of night is the image of insecurity. That is precisely the time for activity of the evil one. Remember that when everyone was asleep, the evil one came at NIGHT to sow weeds among wheat. This is the time that Joseph moves to Egypt. The night is not only a time of insecurity but also an uncomfortable time. It becomes also the duty of the father and, in fact, all members of the family, to lead the family through the dark hours and moments. To lead the family through the dark hours is by obedience to the will of God.

The third detail regards the fact that every circumstance or situation reveals and fulfills the plan of God for us and our families. Matthew notes that the movement to Egypt was to fulfill a prophecy, thus, "out of Egypt I have called my son" (Hosea 11:1). Also, the settlement in Nazareth, which was occasioned by the inability to stay in Judea because of the presence of Archelaus, was to fulfil a prophecy. Thus, "He will be called a Nazarene" (Matt. 2:23). Everything that occurs even within a family are within the plan of God and they fulfill what God intends to do with each member of the family.

The final detail we should look at is the statement "take the child and his mother". It is very interesting that the angel did not say "take your family". The angel specially mentioned the members of the family. What should we do with this? The child is God. The mother is the sanctuary. She provided the womb for the birth of the Child. Taking the child and his mother could imply protecting what is of God and what belongs to God. This is a great responsibility of all. As a family of God, we need to protect what belongs to God and his presence. 

Pax et Bonum