Feast of the Holy Family (Ages 3-6): Growing Up In Safety

Matthew 2.13-15, 19-23

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Listen here to the Gospel and Reflection

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In the Gospel reading this Sunday, we hear about trouble. Some strange visitors come to see Jesus. After they leave, the trouble begins. Trouble makes us feel uncomfortable. What does God do in times of trouble?

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you

Jesus' family must leave their home country of Israel quickly because it is not safe for them to stay. Hearing this might make our stomach feel a little upset. We do not like thinking about Jesus not being safe.

But what do we hear?

Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt

Joseph takes Mary and Jesus away from the trouble. He keeps them away from the trouble and keeps them safe in Egypt, a country far away.

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel...There he made his home in a town called Nazareth,

Joseph keeps Mary and Jesus safe in Egypt until it is safe for them to return to Israel, their home. Then Joseph takes them to live in Nazareth, a safe town, so that Jesus can grow up in safety.

How does Joseph know how to keep Jesus and Mary safe? What do we hear?

Angels speak to Joseph in his dreams.

Who are these angels?

Angels of the Lord—angels of God. God sends them with messages to Joseph.

Why? Why does God do this? What does God want?

God wants Jesus to be safe. God wants Mary and Joseph to be safe, too. God speaks to Joseph in his dreams, when he sleeps deeply and listens closely to God. And God saves Jesus and Mary and Joseph. God saves this little family who holds the Light of God.

We have discovered something about God! We know that God saves.

Jesus is just a baby when these things happen, but we have to wonder if Mary tells him these stories as he grows up. Sometimes our parents tell us stories about things that happened when we were babies or before we were born. We learn something from these stories. What would Jesus learn from the story of Joseph taking them to Egypt until it was safe to return?

Would he discover just what we discovered? Would he know that God saves?

We know he discovered this, because when he grows up he says:

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

And he does not just say it. He does it. He saves his sheep. Jesus saves.

Jesus learns this from Joseph, who listens to God.

Jesus loves all his sheep with a saving love. He lays down his life for the sheep.