FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Celebrating the Sacred Institution of the Family (Cycle A)

Celebrating the Sacred Institution of the Family
(Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23)

God established the sacred covenant of marriage and the essential framework of the family at the very moment He created the first human beings, Adam and Eve. This divine institution transcends mere companionship; it is endowed by God with a profound purpose to nurture individuals and contribute positively to the fabric of society. The significance of marriage and family is deeply woven into God's overarching plan for humanity’s salvation, functioning as vital instruments through which His redemptive work is revealed throughout history.

The Scriptures illuminate the importance of the “promised seed” mentioned in Genesis 3:15, from which the Redeemer, often called the Messiah, would emerge. This sacred lineage has been meticulously preserved through the ages, emphasising the pivotal roles of marriage and family in the larger narrative of salvation history. Ultimately, this promise culminated in the Holy Family, composed of Joseph, Mary of Nazareth, and her son, Jesus, who was conceived through the miraculous intervention of the Holy Spirit. This “promised seed” was sent to address the deep-seated consequences of sin, which originated from humanity's fall to temptation by Satan. In doing so, He personified the fulfilment of God’s redemptive promise through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer-Messiah, who came to restore humanity to God.

Within this framework of salvation history, the reborn children of God, found within the Christian family, carry a weighty and profound mission. They are summoned to embrace the life of prayer and sacrifice demonstrated by Jesus Christ and to take an active role in the mission of evangelisation. This mission extends not only to those within their immediate domestic circles but also to families across the globe. This imperative to evangelise highlights the essential role families play in disseminating the message of Christ and embodying His teachings in everyday life.

The First Reading brings attention to the fourth of the Ten Commandments: “Honour your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you.” Notably, this commandment stands out as the only one that includes a specific promise of blessing for those who adhere to it, underscoring the critical importance of honouring parental figures within the family structure. This act of honouring parents is not just a matter of respect; it is a divine principle that carries lifelong spiritual and social benefits.

The Responsorial Psalm beautifully encapsulates the idea that children are an invaluable gift from God, portraying familial happiness as a significant source of blessing. The psalm underscores the joy and fulfilment that arise from strong family bonds, which enrich lives and foster community. The concluding verses invoke the presence of the Lord God in His holy Temple on Mt. Zion, where families of the covenant community gather in worship, anticipating the divine favour and blessings that God promises to bestow upon His faithful followers.

In the Second Reading, St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians implores the members of the early Christian community in Colossae to reflect and mirror the love and character of Christ in all their interactions with one another. This process of inward transformation begins with a spiritual rebirth through the Sacrament of Baptism, where individuals receive the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit. Such a profound change entails a conscious renunciation of sin and a steadfast commitment to living in accordance with Christ's teachings and example. This transformative commitment doesn't merely alter personal lives; it reverberates through relationships with family, friends, and even strangers, fostering a spirit of love, unity, and mutual support.

The Gospel Reading presents a pivotal moment in salvation history: an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and issues a grave warning to flee to Egypt with the Holy Family. This divine directive is highlighted by a quotation from Exodus 4:23, which the Gospel of Matthew expertly identifies as a “fulfilment statement.” This parallel draws valuable connections between Jesus’s mission and the historical experiences of the Israelites, particularly when God, through Moses, commanded their liberation from enslavement in Egypt. Throughout this narrative, Matthew emphasises that Jesus came to initiate a new exodus, one that liberates humanity from the bondage of sin, establishing a new Israel and a rejuvenated people dedicated to serving Christ, the King of the everlasting Kingdom of God.

In a remarkable demonstration of faith and obedience, Joseph responds to the angel's instructions without hesitation, grasping the urgency of protecting the child Jesus from impending danger. He promptly takes Mary and Jesus, fleeing to Egypt to ensure their safety. Verse 15 marks the third fulfillment formula statement in Matthew’s Gospel, making a poignant quotation from Hosea 11:1. This reference resonates powerfully with the Exodus narrative, in which God instructs Moses to inform Pharaoh that Israel is His “firstborn son” and demands their release for the purpose of serving Him. In this way, Jesus is evocatively identified with the nation of Israel, becoming intricately woven into the story of liberation from oppression, and emphasising His mission to free humanity from sin and restore them to a rightful relationship with God.

In referencing the passage from Exodus, the Gospel of Matthew illustrates a profound parallel between the life of Jesus and that of Israel, the chosen covenant people of God. The narrative recounts how the Israelites were reborn during their Exodus from Egypt, emerging from bondage as slaves to the Pharaoh and transforming into a free nation dedicated to serving Yahweh, their sovereign King. Similarly, Jesus is depicted as the leader of a new Exodus, one that liberates humanity from the shackles of sin and establishes a renewed Israel—a rebirth of people called to serve Christ, who reigns as the King of the eternal Kingdom of God.

Significantly, an angel instructed Joseph to seek refuge for Mary and Jesus in Egypt. Throughout the Scriptures, Egypt is recognized as a traditional haven in times of peril. Prominent biblical figures, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, turned to Egypt during periods of famine, seeking safety and sustenance (Genesis 12:10; 26:1-2; 46:5-7). Similarly, Prince Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim fled to Egypt to escape King Solomon's wrath (1 Kings 11:40). After the brutal murder of the Babylonian governor and his guards, the remaining populace in Judah feared retribution and sought refuge in Egypt (2 Kings 25:25-26). The prophet Uriah also attempted to flee to Egypt when faced with an execution ordered by King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:20-21).

The journey from Bethlehem to the Wadi el-Arish, also known as the “River of Egypt” (1 Kings 8:65; Judith 1:9), covered approximately 100 miles and typically took travellers about three to four days to complete (Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, "Jesus and Paul: Parallel Lives", page 14). The valuable gifts from the Magi (Matthew 2:10-11) likely provided the financial support needed for this journey and for establishing their lives in Egypt during their time of exile.

Upon Herod's death, an angel again appeared to Joseph, instructing him to return to his homeland. Just as the Israelites, referred to as the “firstborn sons” of God among the nations (Exodus 4:22), were able to return to the Promised Land of Canaan after their period of sojourn in Egypt, so too did the Holy Family return to their homeland, fulfilling the prophecy that God would call “His firstborn Son out of Egypt” (Matthew 2:15, 20-21). Joseph demonstrated his obedience once more, though he opted not to return to Bethlehem. His fear of Herod’s son, Archelaus, influenced this decision. Instead, an angel guided him to Nazareth in Galilee.

After Herod's death, the Romans honoured his will, appointing his son Archelaus as ethnarch, overseeing Judea, Samaria, and Idumaea. Archelaus’s rule was marked by cunning and cruelty, yet he lacked his father's practical administrative abilities. His tenure as ruler lasted only about two years, culminating in the Romans removing him from power and transitioning Judea into a Roman province governed by a procurator, under the authority of the Roman legate of Syria. Meanwhile, Herod's other son, Herod Antipas, became a tetrarch, overseeing Galilee and Perea.

Verse 23 of Matthew's Gospel presents the fourth formula fulfillment statement, which has perplexed biblical scholars for some time. Unlike previous quotations that directly reference a single prophetic text, this passage does not cite a specific prophet. Instead, it alludes to what “had been spoken through the prophets,” indicating that Matthew may be drawing from a broader thematic interpretation of prophetic literature rather than a single source. Furthermore, some scholars suggest that Matthew employs wordplay on the Hebrew term "netzer", which means “branch.” This term may have connections to Nazareth in Hebrew (Nazara/Nasrat). The concept of "netzer" serves as a Messianic title, notably highlighted in Isaiah 11:1, which states, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud [netzer] shall blossom.” This prophecy indicates that the Messiah will emerge from the lineage of Jesse, David's father, and from the storied family line of Ruth and Boaz. God’s covenant with David promised the eternal security of his throne and affirmed that the Messiah would descend from King David himself (1 Samuel 7:16; 23:5; Ezekiel 34:23-24).

From the very beginning, families have played a crucial role in God's redemptive plan for humanity. This divine blueprint initiated with the family of Adam and Eve, setting the stage for the human family, and continued with the lineage of Abraham and Sarah, which bore the nation of Israel. The culmination of this plan is seen in the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, the promised Redeemer-Messiah. Each family plays a vital role in this divine story, including yours. Your children will carry on the legacy of Christ's emissaries, tasked with spreading the message of salvation and preparing future generations for the return of Christ, our Saviour.