Feast of Holy Family (A) [Mt 2:13-15 .19-23]
28.12.2025
The Escape to
Readings: (1) Sir
3:2-6.12-14 (2) Col 3:12-21
1. Theme in brief
Trials
and threats faced by a Christian family
2. Focus Statement
Christian family is called to constantly seek God’s
will in the midst of trials,
uncertainty and insecurity, and
has a responsibility to protect and defend children against threats from modern
‘Herods’.
3. Explanation of the text
Today’s gospel
text tells us about the grim reality of trials, uncertainty, insecurity and suffering from
which even the Holy Family was not spared. The newborn baby’s life in that
family was under threat because king Herod was plotting to kill Jesus. Joseph
and Mary had to take the Child and flee to a foreign country (Egypt) when they
were informed about this plot. They became displaced persons and had to live
like refugees
there. The Heavenly King and the Son of God had to be protected from the killers sent by
an earthly king. What a contrast!
In spite of all
odds, God was fully in charge of the events. He intervened twice in the life of
the Holy Family through the message of an angel: first to inform Joseph about
the impending danger
to the Child’s life (2:13), and secondly about the safe
time to return to the land of Israel (2:20). Both the times, God makes known to
him His divine
will given through the command of an angel in a dream. Here both the
times Joseph is presented as an obedient servant who meticulously co-operates with
God’s will (2:14, 21).
Herod
represents those earthly rulers who do not mind committing heinous crimes such
as killing innocent children in order to safeguard their own power and position. The angel informed
Joseph twice
that Herod was searching
for the Child or seeking the Child’s life (2:13, 21). Here we see a man who
seeks after Jesus, not to follow Him, but to kill or destroy Him. It is a fact
that throughout the gospels we find people who look for Jesus or seek after Him
either with good intention to follow Him or with evil motive to oppose or kill Him.
Herod belongs to the latter category of people.
Matthew compares
the Holy Family’s flight into
4. Application to life
Like the Holy Family, our families also
face anxieties, crisis, uncertainty and insecurity.
Like Joseph and Mary’s, our faith is also put to the test when God
does not act to save us from all calamities. Many families face insecurities
caused by lack of employment, loss of job and sudden illness or death.Trials in
family life, like that of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, can strengthen
our family ties, if taken with a spirit of faith in God who
guides our destiny. The Holy Family is a model for us to live a life of trust
in God in moments of anxiety and insecurity.
Joseph and Mary
discovered God’s plan for
their family as they went about their daily tasks. They were always ready to do
God’s will even in times of trials. Like them, we too must discover daily God’s plans for
us and try to do his will in our families. God wills that we daily
learn to love, serve dedicatedly, forgive each other’s hurts, care for one
another, protect (defend) the weak and give up our own interests for others’
sake.
Genuine love is a decision to be made
whenever selfish or loveless thoughts crop up in our mind . Real love is not
like readymade
garments. It often requires a firm decision of the mind to be made again and
again. Out of love every day we learn to decide to do good even if others are
not so good; to forgive even if others don’t show signs of improvement; to serve
others even if they do not help us….. Do we think that this is God’s will for
us in our family? God’s will does not mean only accepting sorrows and
calamines, but also increasing our joy by increasing the quality of our
relationships. Like Joseph, we have to examine ourselves whether we are
obedient to God’s will in both these ways. Humanly speaking, it is tough. It
becomes possible to do this only with the help of supernatural grace, after the
example of
Like the Holy
Family, families in various parts of the world continue to become displaced and refugees due to man-made
and natural calamities. The former happens when they flee from the
repressive, murderous and autocratic governments and dictators or from
situations of wars and riots; or when governments and companies acquire their
land by all sorts of allurements to build industries and dams. The latter
happens when people are forced to flee from nature’s fury such as
cyclone/hurricane/typhoon, tsunami, famine and flood. The ecological imbalance
created due to overexploitation of natural
resources out of human greed, induces more
and more natural calamities in modern times. Hence, in recent times more and
more people are becoming homeless like the Holy
Family. In future these calamities may increase if the governments fail to take
strict measures to contain this threat to human existence.
As the life of
Child Jesus was under threat from Herod,
today also in different parts of the world children are under various threats.
They are abused, murdered, orphaned, traumatized, inhumanly punished and used
as a cheap labour force. Just as Herod, there are so many forces that are seeking to destroy our children’s future. These modern ‘Herods’ could be evil
company, drug abuse, child abuse, alcoholism, sex, violence, corruption and
crimes widely propagated by the mass media. Our children are badly exposed to
these threats at an early stage. Children know
how to operate modern gadgets and appliances like computers, internet and
cell-phones better than their parents. Actually, parents have to learn these
things from them. This uncontrolled exposure makes them prone to bad company,
aggressiveness, violent or criminal behaviour, juvenile delinquency, etc. They are
becoming victims of a “culture of death” which is subtly
injected into their tender minds by the media. These ‘Herods’ are out to ‘kill’
children with their ‘slow poison’.
What are the
consequences? In various parts of the world (including in the developing
nations) we hear about shocking incidents of children taking pistols to their
classrooms and shooting their own classmates or teachers. We also hear about
children committing suicide when they cannot face failure in examinations or
humiliation from their teachers. Today’s gospel reminds us about the need to
increase our togetherness, fraternal concern, deeper relationships and mutual
support in moments of crisis in the family.
Family is the
place where life begins and ends, nourished and nurtured, grows and blossoms.
Just as God gave St. Joseph
a responsibility to safeguard, protect and defend Child Jesus from the evil
designs of Herod, parents in the family are like Josephs. They have a special responsibility
to protect and defend their children against modern
‘Herods’. Like Joseph and Mary, God
wants us to be responsible for each other in family life and seek His will
together. He wants parents to act as a united
force before their children regarding certain values and principles. If both
the parents widely differ on important values like honesty and
non-aggressiveness in front of their children, children get confused about what
is right and wrong. It is heartening to see how the Spirit inspires more and
more governments to enact stringent laws to protect children from sexual abuse
(paedophilia), child labour and harsh punishment by parents/teachers. We pray
that parents and world leaders may further carry out this responsibility in a
serious manner.
5. Response to God's Word
Are we obedient to God and firm in our
faith when we face trials, insecurities and suffering in our family? Are we
willing to give whatever God asks from our family? What is the aim of our
family; just to slog it out and feed our children, or something more….? Do we
discuss at home about the positive and negative values propagated in T.V.
programmes, mobile phone and video games? What are the special ritual and
customs we have introduced or would like do at home in order to promote
togetherness, mutual collaboration, sharing and protection from evil? Do you pray
for enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to find ways and means of protecting your
family from the threat posed by modern Herods?
6. A prayer
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, protect and
defend our family from all threats. We place our children under your care so
that you may guard them against all physical and spiritual dangers. Grant that
all parents and nations may carry out their responsibilities of protecting,
defending and respecting the dignity of children in the best manner. Stay with
us and bless our home. Amen.
Feast of Holy Family (A) [Mt
2:13-15 .19-23]
28.12.2025
The Escape to
Readings: (1) Sir
3:2-6.12-14 (2) Col 3:12-21
1. Theme in brief
Trials
and threats faced by a Christian family
2. Focus Statement
Christian family is called to constantly seek God’s
will in the midst of trials,
uncertainty and insecurity, and
has a responsibility to protect and defend children against threats from modern
‘Herods’.
3. Explanation of the text
Today’s gospel
text tells us about the grim reality of trials, uncertainty, insecurity and suffering from
which even the Holy Family was not spared. The newborn baby’s life in that
family was under threat because king Herod was plotting to kill Jesus. Joseph
and Mary had to take the Child and flee to a foreign country (Egypt) when they
were informed about this plot. They became displaced persons and had to live
like refugees
there. The Heavenly King and the Son of God had to be protected from the killers sent by
an earthly king. What a contrast!
In spite of all
odds, God was fully in charge of the events. He intervened twice in the life of
the Holy Family through the message of an angel: first to inform Joseph about
the impending danger
to the Child’s life (2:13), and secondly about the safe
time to return to the land of Israel (2:20). Both the times, God makes known to
him His divine
will given through the command of an angel in a dream. Here both the
times Joseph is presented as an obedient servant who meticulously co-operates with
God’s will (2:14, 21).
Herod
represents those earthly rulers who do not mind committing heinous crimes such
as killing innocent children in order to safeguard their own power and position. The angel informed
Joseph twice
that Herod was searching
for the Child or seeking the Child’s life (2:13, 21). Here we see a man who
seeks after Jesus, not to follow Him, but to kill or destroy Him. It is a fact
that throughout the gospels we find people who look for Jesus or seek after Him
either with good intention to follow Him or with evil motive to oppose or kill Him.
Herod belongs to the latter category of people.
Matthew compares
the Holy Family’s flight into
4. Application to life
Like the Holy Family, our families also
face anxieties, crisis, uncertainty and insecurity.
Like Joseph and Mary’s, our faith is also put to the test when God
does not act to save us from all calamities. Many families face insecurities
caused by lack of employment, loss of job and sudden illness or death.Trials in
family life, like that of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, can strengthen
our family ties, if taken with a spirit of faith in God who
guides our destiny. The Holy Family is a model for us to live a life of trust
in God in moments of anxiety and insecurity.
Joseph and Mary
discovered God’s plan for
their family as they went about their daily tasks. They were always ready to do
God’s will even in times of trials. Like them, we too must discover daily God’s plans for
us and try to do his will in our families. God wills that we daily
learn to love, serve dedicatedly, forgive each other’s hurts, care for one
another, protect (defend) the weak and give up our own interests for others’
sake.
Genuine love is a decision to be made
whenever selfish or loveless thoughts crop up in our mind . Real love is not
like readymade
garments. It often requires a firm decision of the mind to be made again and
again. Out of love every day we learn to decide to do good even if others are
not so good; to forgive even if others don’t show signs of improvement; to serve
others even if they do not help us….. Do we think that this is God’s will for
us in our family? God’s will does not mean only accepting sorrows and
calamines, but also increasing our joy by increasing the quality of our
relationships. Like Joseph, we have to examine ourselves whether we are
obedient to God’s will in both these ways. Humanly speaking, it is tough. It
becomes possible to do this only with the help of supernatural grace, after the
example of
Like the Holy
Family, families in various parts of the world continue to become displaced and refugees due to man-made
and natural calamities. The former happens when they flee from the
repressive, murderous and autocratic governments and dictators or from
situations of wars and riots; or when governments and companies acquire their
land by all sorts of allurements to build industries and dams. The latter
happens when people are forced to flee from nature’s fury such as
cyclone/hurricane/typhoon, tsunami, famine and flood. The ecological imbalance
created due to overexploitation of natural
resources out of human greed, induces more
and more natural calamities in modern times. Hence, in recent times more and
more people are becoming homeless like the Holy
Family. In future these calamities may increase if the governments fail to take
strict measures to contain this threat to human existence.
As the life of
Child Jesus was under threat from Herod,
today also in different parts of the world children are under various threats.
They are abused, murdered, orphaned, traumatized, inhumanly punished and used
as a cheap labour force. Just as Herod, there are so many forces that are seeking to destroy our children’s future. These modern ‘Herods’ could be evil
company, drug abuse, child abuse, alcoholism, sex, violence, corruption and
crimes widely propagated by the mass media. Our children are badly exposed to
these threats at an early stage. Children know
how to operate modern gadgets and appliances like computers, internet and
cell-phones better than their parents. Actually, parents have to learn these
things from them. This uncontrolled exposure makes them prone to bad company,
aggressiveness, violent or criminal behaviour, juvenile delinquency, etc. They are
becoming victims of a “culture of death” which is subtly
injected into their tender minds by the media. These ‘Herods’ are out to ‘kill’
children with their ‘slow poison’.
What are the
consequences? In various parts of the world (including in the developing
nations) we hear about shocking incidents of children taking pistols to their
classrooms and shooting their own classmates or teachers. We also hear about
children committing suicide when they cannot face failure in examinations or
humiliation from their teachers. Today’s gospel reminds us about the need to
increase our togetherness, fraternal concern, deeper relationships and mutual
support in moments of crisis in the family.
Family is the
place where life begins and ends, nourished and nurtured, grows and blossoms.
Just as God gave St. Joseph
a responsibility to safeguard, protect and defend Child Jesus from the evil
designs of Herod, parents in the family are like Josephs. They have a special responsibility
to protect and defend their children against modern
‘Herods’. Like Joseph and Mary, God
wants us to be responsible for each other in family life and seek His will
together. He wants parents to act as a united
force before their children regarding certain values and principles. If both
the parents widely differ on important values like honesty and
non-aggressiveness in front of their children, children get confused about what
is right and wrong. It is heartening to see how the Spirit inspires more and
more governments to enact stringent laws to protect children from sexual abuse
(paedophilia), child labour and harsh punishment by parents/teachers. We pray
that parents and world leaders may further carry out this responsibility in a
serious manner.
5. Response to God's Word
Are we obedient to God and firm in our
faith when we face trials, insecurities and suffering in our family? Are we
willing to give whatever God asks from our family? What is the aim of our
family; just to slog it out and feed our children, or something more….? Do we
discuss at home about the positive and negative values propagated in T.V.
programmes, mobile phone and video games? What are the special ritual and
customs we have introduced or would like do at home in order to promote
togetherness, mutual collaboration, sharing and protection from evil? Do you pray
for enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to find ways and means of protecting your
family from the threat posed by modern Herods?
6. A prayer
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, protect and
defend our family from all threats. We place our children under your care so
that you may guard them against all physical and spiritual dangers. Grant that
all parents and nations may carry out their responsibilities of protecting,
defending and respecting the dignity of children in the best manner. Stay with
us and bless our home. Amen.
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