Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until
the death of Herod. In this way, what the Lord had said through the prophet was fulfilled: I called
my son out of Egypt.
After Herod’s death, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “Get up,
take the child and his mother, and go back to the land of Israel, because those who tried to kill
the child are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of
Israel.
But when Joseph heard that Archilaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea, he was
afraid to go there. Joseph was given further instructions in a dream, and went to the region of
Galilee. There he settled, in a town called Nazareth. In this way, what was said by the prophets
was fulfilled: He shall be called a Nazarene.
Reflect:
The Book of Sirach offers insights into how to be a ‘holy family’ where respect, love, kindness,
and care reign supreme. According to Paul, when the word of God dwells at the center of our
lives, the above virtues unfold in us. Matthew narrates the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt.
Becoming a holy family is hard work. The family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus testifies to it. Joseph
and Mary saying “yes” to God’s will did not magically make their life any easier. They had to live
through poverty, homelessness, exile, near loss of the child, widowhood, and death by crucifixion
…. Doesn’t this family sound just like some families we have met around? Or perhaps even our
own families? That thought should console us and give us hope. If the Holy Family went through
such struggles, our struggles are not exceptional. And if they survived with trust in the words of
God, we too can do so, making the word of God central to our lives. It must also impel us to be
a word of God for the families around. Pray for a family that you know to be going through hard
times. Reach out to that family with a practical help that you can afford.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022