The historical context for Matthew description of the birth of Jesus occurs in a world that remains sadly similar to our own. According to the UN website, there are 84 million displaced people today. 24 million people are living in refugee camps. There are also paranoid political leaders and wars, which can easily catch our gaze. But there is also, just like in Matthew’s time, people who are simply trying to live lives of faith, hope and love in the midst of it all. Despite the underreporting or sensationalism of media reports on religious matters, many people still have faith and desire to respond to God’s will in the midst of the many challenging matters of our world.
And this is precisely where faith grows legs, stands up and walks in humble confidence, knowing that it’s not going to be easy but it is truly right and just.
In the Gospel today, Joseph is told in a dream, “Get up, 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.”
Do you remember the Joseph from the Genesis chapter 37 and his coat of many colours? After being thrown into a dry well by his jealous brothers and left for dead he was picked up a caravan of traders and taken to…Egypt!
Joseph, husband of Mary, is led by angels in a dream to go the same place where Joseph, son of Jacob, was taken against his will.
In the Old Testament, Joseph’s father, Jacob, went to Egypt to escape a famine in their Palestinian homeland and find the son he thought had been dead for years alive and well.
In the Gospel today, Joseph, husband of Mary, flees with God’s Son, Jesus, to escape danger at home. A different danger in a different time for certain. But…God’s actions in a difficult new situation look very similar to God’s actions in a previously difficult situation. God is always faithful.
God is always faithful.
How are you being called to be faithful to God who remains faithful to you?
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