Daily Readings - Fri Dec 30 2022
Matthew
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."14And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."19But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,20saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."21And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.23And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of family, trust, and God’s providence. In the first reading from Sirach, we are reminded of the importance of honoring our parents and caring for them, especially in their old age. This is not only a moral obligation but also a way of living out our faith. The passage emphasizes that the glory of a man comes from the honor of his father, and that supporting our parents is a way of storing up treasure in heaven. This teaching is deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition and serves as a foundation for understanding the value of family in our lives.
In the Gospel, we hear the story of Joseph, who exemplifies trust in God’s plan. When an angel appears to him in a dream, instructing him to flee to Egypt to save the child Jesus from Herod’s persecution, Joseph acts without hesitation. Later, when it is safe to return, he again follows God’s guidance, settling in Nazareth. This narrative shows us that faith is not passive but active—it requires us to listen to God’s voice and act courageously, even when the path is uncertain. Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s providence become a model for us as we navigate our own challenges.
These readings remind us that our relationships with others, especially within our families, are opportunities to live out our faith. Just as Joseph trusted God’s plan for his family, we too can place our trust in God’s providence, even when life seems unpredictable. Let us honor our parents and care for one another, not just out of duty, but as a way of expressing our love for God. May we, like Joseph, be attentive to God’s voice and courageous in following His will, knowing that He is always with us, guiding us home.