Deacon Tom Writes,
Families On The Run
Matthew’s gospel tells the story of the Holy Family
fleeing for their lives as they are pursued by King Herod’s soldiers. When
Herod dies, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph letting him know that it is
safe to return to Israel. Matthew’s intention was to draw a parallel between
the Patriarch Jacob and his family who went to Egypt during a famine and became
slaves to the Egyptians. In time God sent Moses to rescue His people and lead
them from slavery into the Promised Land, the story we know as the Exodus. In
today’s reading Matthew quotes the words of the Prophet Hosea “Out of Egypt I called my son” to signify
Christ as fulfilling this ancient prophesy, the one who, like Moses, leads us
from death to life.
Yet, when I read this scripture passage today, I
can’t help but think how God did not spare the Holy Family from any of the torments
and brutalities of life. Although this story recounts the experience of Joseph
and Mary and their new born child fleeing for their lives many years ago, I can’t
help think how it has been repeated time and time again throughout the ages and
is currently the plight for many across our world today, millions of refuges in
dozens of countries. Jesus and his parents, refugees, seeking shelter in a
strange land is a disturbing image of the Holy Family., one that should make us
restless and perhaps stir us to do something for those who suffer this same
plight today
Whatever sufferings and losses we may have in this
life, we have them in common with the Holy Family. God’s own divine plan did
not shelter them from the hardships of life. No, God’s plan allowed the Holy
Family to put their faith and trust in God and gave them the faith to realize
that no matter what happened, it would all work out for the good.
Today with the many challenges to family life that
we face, let us turn to the
Holy Family for the faith and strength we need to
persevere on our journey
through a land where we are
truly refugees seeking our way back home.
Enjoy the Day,
Deacon Tom
Please consider supporting Catholic Relief Services (CRS). They provide essential services around the world to today's refugees.
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