Working for the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases: appeared … in a dream; Joseph rose and took the child and his mother; appeared in a dream; He rose, took the child and his mother; warned in a dream; departed for the region of Galilee

To the point: Joseph, in this Gospel, clearly acts as the father of the family. To him is given the revelation that danger is at hand and they must flee to Egypt. To him is given the further revelation that it is safe to return to their homeland. Whether going or coming Joseph is attentive to both the needs of his family and the overtures of God’s Presence and guidance. He is head of the Holy Family: one in which the members discern God’s will, risk change for each other’s growth and good, and are united in fidelity to God and each other. This feast calls us to be this same kind of holy family.

Connecting the Gospel …

… to the First Reading: What does it mean to be holy? The First Reading suggests concrete behaviors that a holy family exhibits: honoring, respecting, obeying one’s parents. Paul also suggests behaviors for the holy family of the church: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.

… to experience: Holiness is not a goody-goody, otherworldly mode of living. Rather, it is a realistic engagement in life—in the difficulties, struggles, and tensions of human life and relating—that always reflects fidelity to God’s will.

**From Saint Louis University