Greetings on this the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.; Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
Summary
When truth collides with power we see the extremes love must endure.
“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.” (later on) “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” (Mt 2:13, 20).
Reflection
Our sacred text today steps around the Massacre of the Infants, a most vile act of power against reason. The Church instead would like us to think about the harmony of the family. Joseph twice guides his family through the pathways of a hostile world safely to Egypt and again safely to Galilee.
How did Joseph know to “Rise“, where and when to go?
Our sacred text gives us two layers to the answer.
The First Way
The Angelic inspiration is written twice: “the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream” (Mt 2:13, 19) to assert the divine intervention to guide Joseph in his holy task as father and protector.
The Second Way
The second way is hidden in the wisdom of Sirach: Responsibilities to Parents, in particular to the father (any father). The wisdom tradition of Sirach reminds us that honoring fathers and mothers forms a web of responsibility, memory, and aid. Joseph’s obedience unfolded within relationship: with Mary, with family, with a people who knew displacement and exile.
Those who honor their father atone for sins, Those who honor their father will have joy, Those who respect their father will live a long life (Sir 3:3,5,6).
Joseph, silent of retained dialog, was actually very rich in dialog. Mary, his wife, was his constant aid and counsellor. Friends and family aided them on their trip. Libya was a home away from home among the diaspora. Joseph was not alone, abandoned, but given help every step of the way. My son, be steadfast in honoring your father; do not grieve him as long as he lives. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored (Sir 3:12, Col 3:12, PS 128:1-2).
Personal Reflection
We often miss this Second Way. I did for a long time. The Second Way does not replace the First—it cooperates with it. We did not consider Joseph having family and friends that would help him. We often encounter the story only within a narrow frame: Joseph alone, abandoned by all. It’s ok. We were trained to ignore the imposition of a social ideology. We were trained to accept Herod’s slaughter as normative expression of power and our victimhood in the face of oppression.
Michel Foucault observed “power operates most effectively when it becomes invisible.” (French philosopher, historian, and social theorist). Modern day Herods operate with impunity and violently with nary a nod to justification in rational terms. If not for the divine love and his friendship by way of people of good will, death.
Noelle-Neumann (German political scientist) coined the phrase “spiral of silence”. Not the silence of Joseph, the silence TO (the modern) Joseph, the silence ABOUT (the modern) Joseph.
This silence hurts in the immediate in the effects of bringing fragility to the society. Peace becomes performative (Dr Esha Lovrić, “Social Ideology: How does it affect our thoughts?”). We get lost without a shared horizon rich in diverse thought and negotiated future.
We must not wait passively for angels while ignoring the voices God has already placed among us—parents, elders, neighbors, and people of good will. We must begin anew honoring our fathers and mothers – whomever they are.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122825.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Beautiful!!!🎁