Matthew 2:13-15: A Time to Flee
Sunday, January 5, 2025
When is it appropriate to flee rather than witness? When do we step away from injustice rather than challenge it?
After [the Magi] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave.” (GNT)
Commentary tells us that, “Egypt was a place of refuge for those fleeing from danger in Palestine (see 1 Kgs 11, 40, Jer 26, 21), but the main reason the child is to be taken to Egypt is that he may relive the Exodus experience of Israel.” (Senior 9)
The Holy Family become refugees in a world of turmoil. A world that persists in tumult today. Seeking shelter, much like their Hebrew ancestors, Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus understand that it is time to seek sanctuary.
Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod died. This was done to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, “I called my Son out of Egypt.” (GNT)
Leaving during the night . . .
The act of slipping away in the darkness tells us that Joseph and Mary understood the gravity of the threat. They know that although they have shepherded light into a shadowy world, and despite their belief that God’s light pierces those shadows, they must also act in prudence. They must listen to the voice of God that comes to them through the angel.
“I called my Son out of Egypt . . .”
Jesus re-experiences the exodus journey of his people, showing us that if his family trusts God enough to step away from evil, then so must we.
Stay there until I tell you to leave . . .”
Today we reflect on the flight of The Holy Family to hear what it has to say to us.
After the scholars were gone, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him.” (MSG)
Are we open to the angels who bring us God’s word?
Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. They lived in Egypt until Herod’s death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: “I called my son out of Egypt.” (MSG)
Do we obey the call of God’s voice?
He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness . . .
Are we willing to take flight from injustice?
Stay until further notice . . .
And are we prepared to return when God calls us?
When we use the scripture links to read varying translations of these verses, we open our hearts to the messages of angels.
Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.9. Print.
For a chronology of Jesus’ life, click on the map above, or visit: http://www.bible-history.com/Chart_Jesus_Chronology/
Images from: http://www.bible-history.com/Chart_Jesus_Chronology/ and https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gentile_da_Fabriano_-_Rest_during_the_Flight_into_Egypt_-_WGA08544.jpg
For a reflection connecting this reading with the plight of refugees, enter the word Flight into the blog search bar.
The Noontimes 