Daily Readings - Fri Dec 30 2022
Matthew
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will 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.