This Sunday, December 28, celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The readings present God’s presence as dwelling within the family. The gospel is from the book of Matthew. Let’s take a look.
Gospel Text – Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
“When the magi 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.”
First Reading – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Sirach teaches that honoring father and mother is not merely a social courtesy—it is a divine command that carries spiritual consequences. This is not sentimental; it’s covenantal. Sirach frames family responsibility as a path to blessing, forgiveness, and long life:
- God entrusts parents with authority, and honoring them honors God.
- Care for aging parents is sacred, especially when their strength fades.
- Compassion toward parents becomes atonement, a concrete way of living righteousness.
- Patience with their frailty is a spiritual offering, pleasing to God.
Second Reading – Colossians 3:12-17
Paul shifts from the biological family to the Christian family, the community formed in Christ. He calls believers to:
- Put on virtues: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Bear with one another and forgive, as the Lord forgives.
- Let love be the “bond of perfection.”
- Let Christ’s peace rule the heart, shaping relationships.
- Let the word of Christ dwell richly, guiding teaching, correction, and worship.
- Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Where Sirach emphasizes honoring parents, Paul emphasizes the virtues that make any family—biological or spiritual—holy and whole.
Gospel Reading – Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 – God’s Protection of the Holy Family
Matthew shows the Holy Family under threat and God’s protective guidance through Joseph’s obedience:
- Joseph listens to God in dreams and acts immediately.
- The family flees to Egypt, becoming refugees.
- God protects the child Jesus through the father’s faithful action.
- They return only when it is safe, again guided by divine instruction.
- Jesus grew up in Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy.
This is the picture of a father who protects, sacrifices, and obeys God for the sake of his family’s life and mission.
The Catholic View
When you place these readings side by side, a common message emerges:
- Family is a sacred trust – Sirach teaches honoring parents; Matthew shows Joseph honoring his divine calling as protector.
- Love is expressed through concrete action – Sirach speaks to caring for aging parents. In Colossians, Paul calls us to clothe ourselves in compassion and forgiveness. In Matthew, Joseph obeys God to protect Jesus and Mary.
- God works through family relationships to accomplish His purposes – In Sirach, family care becomes a path to holiness. In Colossians, the Christian community becomes a family shaped by Christ. In Matthew, salvation history advances through the fidelity of a father and mother.
- Patience, forgiveness, protection, obedience, compassion—these are not abstract virtues. We live these virtues in the home, in daily decisions, and in how we treat those entrusted to us.
These readings show God dwelling in both biological and spiritual families when we practice honor, compassion, forgiveness, and faithful obedience. Family becomes the place where God protects, forms, and guides His people.
Please share your thoughts about this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
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