The Holy Family of Saint Joseph, the Saint Virgin Mary, and their Child Jesus- Dec. 28, 2025

 The Holy Family of Saint Joseph, the Saint Virgin Mary, and their Child Jesus- Dec. 28, 2025

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15; 19-23

 

Theme: The Holy Family of Nazareth, the Model of our Families Today

 

A. A Brief Exegetical Analysis of Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

 

1.      Historical and Literary Contexts

Our Gospel passage combines two stories: the flight of Jesus and his parents, Joseph and Mary, to Egypt (2:13-15) and their return from Egypt (2:19-23). By telling these two stories, Matthew aims to portray Jesus as reliving the Exodus experience of Israel. The accounts of Jesus’ birth (1:18-25) and the visit of the Magi (2:1-12) immediately precede our Gospel, and John the Baptist's proclamation of the Kingdom (3:1-17) follows it. Our text is interspersed with the story of the Massacre of the Infants ordered by Herod (2:16-18).

 

2.      Form, Structure, and Movement

Our Gospel passage is a narrative story structured into two movements: Joseph and his family fleeing to Egypt (vv. 13-15) and their return to the land of Israel, precisely in the town of Nazareth (vv. 19-23).

 

3.      Detailed Analysis

Vv. 13-15. The angel of the Lord commanded Joseph in the dream to flee to Egypt with the child Jesus and his mother, Mary. That was to protect Jesus from the massacre of the infants ordered by Herod, who intended to kill Jesus (see Mt 2:16-18). They stayed in Egypt until the death of Herod. Matthew does not say how long they stayed in Egypt. Egypt served as a traditional refugee country for the inhabitants of Palestine in danger (see 1 Kg 11:40; Jer 26:21). Jesus’ sojourns in Egypt recall the people of Israel’s experience in the same country. The way God had called Israel, his son, out of Egypt at the time of Exodus (see Hos 11:1) is the same way he would call Jesus, his Son, out of the same country in a new Exodus.

Vv. 19-23. The angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph and commanded him to return to the land of Israel with the child and his mother because Herod had died, and there was no more threat to the child. On their way back, because Joseph heard about Archelaus, who was Herod’s son, ruling over Judea, their land, he did not return to Judea anymore; instead, he went to Nazareth and lived there with his family, as the angel of the Lord warned him.

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4.      Synthesis

Joseph flew to Egypt with the child Jesus and the Virgin Mary, on the recommendation of the angel of the Lord, to protect Jesus from Herod, who intended to kill him. They stayed in Egypt until Herod died. Jesus’ sojourns in Egypt recall the people of Israel’s experience in the same land at the time of Exodus. After Herod had died, the angel of the Lord recommended that Joseph return to Israel. However, because Herod’s son, Archelaus, was ruling over Judea after Herod’s death, Joseph did not go to Judea, their land, anymore. Instead, he went to live in Nazareth as the angel of the Lord warned him.  

 

B. A Brief Pastoral Implications

 

1.                          1. Liturgical Context

Today’s Scripture readings teach us virtues we must observe to transform our families into the families God created us to be. In the Gospel, Matthew encourages us to imitate Joseph’s total obedience and trust in God. Our first and second readings also present additional virtues we should observe to make our families resemble the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus.

 

2.                          2. What the Church Teaches Us Today

When we refer to the family of Joseph, Mary, and their Child Jesus as the “Holy Family,” it does not imply that they were free from trials. This Holy Family lived through the same suffering we experience today. For instance, we can imagine the misunderstandings surrounding the conception of Jesus before they began their life together. Joseph even considered quietly divorcing Mary until the angel of the Lord intervened. Nine months later, Jesus was born in a manger, the feeding place for sheep, as they could not find better lodging. Today’s Gospel provides another example of their painful experience. Just as modern refugees from war-torn countries flee to save their lives, Joseph and Mary had to escape to Egypt to protect their Child from King Herod, who sought to kill Jesus. They remained in Egypt until Herod's death. After the Holy Family returned to Israel, Joseph no longer appears in the narrative. We infer that he died before Jesus began his public ministry. Mary continued bearing all the burdens alone. For instance, we recall Simeon's prophecy at the temple that a sword of sorrow would pierce Mary’s soul (Lk 2:34-35). Later, we can only imagine the pain the Blessed Mother felt hearing his enemies label Jesus as a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Ultimately, she witnessed her crucified Son dying in public disgrace on the cross like a criminal.

What secret kept the Holy Family so strong, even during difficult times? The answer lies in their prayer life, obedience, trust, faith, and love for God and their family that the Church calls us to imitate. We should strive to be families that center our lives on prayer. A strong prayer life deepens our spiritual relationships with God and one another. We should always keep our Christian faith and love for God and one another, no matter our daily suffering.

Our first and second readings also impart additional virtues for us to observe. In our first reading passage, Sirach instructs us on the expectations each family member has for one another to maintain harmony with God and each other. He connects our family relationships to God's reverence. This suggests that the more we honor our relationships, the more we revere God. When we extend compassion to one another and care for everyone, God will grant us what we ask of him when we pray. In our second reading, Saint Paul encourages us in the same direction. He invites us to demonstrate compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience toward one another. In everything we do, we must let the peace of Christ control our hearts and allow the Word of God to dwell richly in us. He then calls us to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and to give thanks to God. Here, Saint Paul refers to the liturgy of the Mass. Let us embrace all these virtues and become the families God intended us to be.

May this liturgy of the Mass enable us to imitate the Holy Family of Saint Joseph, the Saint Virgin Mary, and their Child Jesus. Amen. 

Rev. Leon Ngandu, SVD

Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church, Jackson, MS &

SVD USS Biblical Apostolate Coordinator